What if someone asks me “May I use the seat?”?

Question

I was sitting in a coffee shop alone (just with myself). The table I sat had two chair. Then a man came and asked me "May I?", and he pointed the chair which was in front of me. What should I answer if I meet the situation again? Shall I answer "Is not occupied", or "You can take it"? Or another?

Answer 1

Assuming that you want to give them the seat, you can respond with may:

1. You may./You may use it.

This might be a little formal. More casually, you can say

2. Yes.
3. Go ahead.
4. Sure./Sure thing.

There are many other options.

Your options work too.

5. It is not occupied.
6. You can take it.

In 5, you need a subject like it or the seat. 5 also seems a little stiff, so I don't recommend it.