The change in licencing laws

[Robbietoon]

If, with the new longer drinking hours, you still go the pub with your friend who selfishlessly always lets you buy the first round so that he can sit on the comfy sofa facing the pub leaving you the hard chair with your back to the pub, even when he knows you would like to sit on the sofa and view the goings on from time to time, would you remain friends with said selfish man?

[Ward-Minter]

It sounds like you have "feelings" for the man. I would dump him and move on.

[joko]

why not just tell him you need the toilet and to get them in while you go, then just sit down - if he mentions it, just say, you thought you had better bag the seats first.

it may be that he hasn't realised it bothers you or even noticed it happens - it may not be a calculated move - it has just become habit that you get them in first.

and anyway why can't you both sit on the couch bit?

[Englishbird]

Ward-Minter, you are in an obtuse mood today ;o)

I'd probably suggest avoiding both sitting on the sofa, aside from anything else, you'll get a crick in your neck trying to talk to him.

Why not walk straight over to the table, sit in the chair you want, and then get up to get the round, leaving your jacket/briefcase/bag on the sofa.

If this is the only annoying foible said selfish man does, try and allow him that. If this is the tip of the iceberg, then judge whether you want or need this friend in your life.

Alternatively just say "Oi, I'm sitting there, you always sit there, and I always let you get away with it, shift it lard arse" or something to that effect.