ORIGINAL: Clay Walters
Well I read thru this old thread and must say I'm surprised by some of the problems some have faced over the issues and even more perplexed by some of the responses.
Always at the 3 clubs I've been priviledged to be a member at if you occupied a bench it was yours until you left for the day. Naturally you might let someone in on it while you took a break but they knew not to occupy it; just get started and then clear off. Once you are thru for the day you also will graciously clear the bench even if you then hang around for awhile longer.
In most cases the club "elders" or leaders tend to set the tone and treatment for everyone else.
We do not have run-up stations, merely five work tables.
If they are unused with no demand, we can camp on them all day...
However if someone shows up the tendancy is to invite them to share/use your table.
Such behaviour is demonstrated during training sessions, and tends to propegate to everyone.
Club officers make it a habit of "being nice".