[mac9]

I use one of two solutions to the chair problem. If I see a lot of empty chairs that seem to be "saved," and there are no others available, I just sit in one of them. If someone has the audacity to tell me that they are all saved, I just answer them in French. If they understand me, then I tell them that I will move when the "friend" arrives. If they don't understand me, I just smile and continue sitting. Has worked every time for me. Of course, the comments that some people make in English are hysterical, but if they are particularly rude, I will tell them so in English when I am ready to leave!
Non-confrontational Mac9.