So I just get into the Air China business class lounge in Beijing on a 5 hour layover. The lounge was busy. It took almost a full lap to find a free pair of seats at a table adjacent to a power outlet. I put my bag next to the front of the seat and head off for a pit stop and then pick up some food.

When i get back there is a couple sitting at the table. My bag has been moved to the back of the seat. I said excuse me but I was sitting here and pointed to my bag. They claimed to have not moved it, though I don't know who else would. They say I should've put the bag on the seat however have an objection to putting things on a seat that get dragged around on the ground, especially in China!

So the woman gets up grabs my bag, takes it to an adjacent occupied table with no free power supply and says problem solved. I grabbed the bag sat down where she was sitting and nodded my assent and proceeded to start eating.

I received a short winded tirade about bad manners, giving priority to a couple wanting to sit together and that bags shouldn't be left unattended at airports before finally succumbing to my indifference and disappearing to some other place.

I guess it all sounds a bit juvenile for a group of plus 50 yo's to act but how else does a lone traveler hold their spot in this circumstance? Custom in this lounge is leaving a bag, why would you think you will not be called out on it if you ignore that?