Beirgarten - Communall seating

[olbear]

Ok, so I love this restaurant. I love German food, and have always enjoyed that and the service.

I was at EPCOT "solo" yesterday, and decided to have lunch there. I have always had good experiences with the communall seating. For those that are not familiar, you are seated with other guests when dining here.

Up until yesterday, this experience has always been fine. I want you to know the food and service were wonderful as usual. What was NOT fine were my seating companions. I have no problem interacting with the other guests I'm seated with. But I was seated with an older couple at the other end of the table, and a family, mom, dad and 2 kids. They spoke french, loud and clear mind you. I smiled at them several times, trying to come across as friendly. But realizing we would not have any conversation as I do not speak French. But then the waiter came up and spoke to them and they spoke english quite well. No problem. They continued to speak with each other, ...in French. I did try to start a bit of a conversation, and was given short returns, so I eventually gave up and just finished my lunch.

The couple on the end, finished first,and as they got up to leave, she caught my eye, pointed their way and then rolled her eyes. I could tell she wasn't happy with their company at the table either.

Because of my experience yesterday, if I ever do this again, by myself, and I get this type of people at my table, I will ask to be moved. I mean, let's face it, it's not cheap to eat at Disney. I don't want to pay that kind of money for that type of "ambiance" if you will. I will insist on being sat where I will be comfortable and welcome.

Thanks for letting me vent and share my experience.
Blessings,
Winnie

 

[TDC Nala]

This is pretty much the reason I won't eat at Biergarten by myself. I have been there with groups and been subjected to the "Charles Manson" look (by which I mean the table companions are wearing the same looks they would probably have worn had they been seated next to Charles Manson) as well as the "OMG those people are drinking beer" reaction which usually just inspires me to order another beer.

If I'm there with my own group it wouldn't bother me so much to be seated with a family that desired only to talk amongst themselves as long as they weren't rude about it.

 

[williamson_ja]

I've always had good tablemates while dining there. So, I thought I should recommend it to my parents for their first Disney visit. They happened to get seating with a whole table of very large bikers. Think the typical- black leather jackets, lots of cursing, lots of drinking, etc. My parents are church going non-drinkers and were mortified. I personally would have found it a hoot (if I didn't have the kids in tow). They, on the other hand, did not see the amusement in the situation; ate as quickly as possible and left. They never want to go there again. I'll definitely eat there next time. We love it. I guess it just depends on what you like and who you're with.

 

[spacemountainmom]

I love the Biergarten as well and we've been pretty fortunate in our table mates.

My family (dh, dd13, ds9 and I) were seated with two retired couples. They were so friendly and we had a great time dining with them. It was sort of like hanging out with the grandparents.

Last year the kids were 14 and 10 and we were seated with a retired gentleman and a family of three. The family was a mom, dad and early 20's son. The gentleman was at the end, I sat across from him, my dd sat next to the gentleman, my dh next to me and ds next to his dad. The parents sat on the same side as my dd and the son sat next to my son.

The gentleman broke the ice and we started chatting and did try to draw the other family into the conversation. They weren't having any of that. We kept talking to the man and he was so interesting. He was talking about how he and his wife loved Disney so much that they purchased a 2nd home in FL so they could visit often. He shared many tips and stories about the different things he'd done over the years. Sadly, his wife had to work (she was a nurse and still loved to work) and he was in WDW solo.

We had a great time at lunch and were sad to see it end. We wished our new friend a great rest of his trip and went on our way.

We leave in less than two weeks and can't wait to eat there again. I hope we are again blessed with nice table mates.

 

[gerows]

We were there for Christmas Eve (myself, DW, DS8, and DD5) and were seated with a couple from Orlando, their 7 week old and his mother who was in town from Scotland. They were great. At the end of our meal the woman from Scotland gave DW a card with her email and told us she wanted us to stay with her when we visit the UK

 

[DisneyNutMary]

It's hard enough to be seated with strangers while you are alone, but to be given the cold shoulder treatment is just plain rude. That family was rather rude to shoot down your conversation attempts, they're on vacation, in a new and exciting place, they should have made an effort to meet new people while they were there.
I might be wrong, but it's just my two cents. The world would be a much nicer place if we all made pleasant conversation with strangers in shared circumstances (like communal tables in restaurants)

 

[marlower]

I'm sorry that happened to you. I love Biergarten and ate here solo once. Had a great experience with friendly going folks. It definitely makes a difference and you are wise to ask to be moved next time

 

[dipin]

I am sorry, but I don't understand the issue here. So they were not offensive or aggressive, did not expect you to speak French or accomodate them, but were just short in their conversation with you?

Maybe they weren't as comfortable chit chatting in English (discussing orders and so on with a waiter is very different from having a conversation). Maybe their kids weren't as proficient in English as the parents and the parents didn't want to exclude the kids. Maybe they were tired of speaking English their entire vacation and just wanted to relax a bit speaking their own language. Or maybe they were discussing one of those minor family crises that tend to come up during those hectic disney vacations.

Not to jump on you, but I am sure that every one of us, at one point or another, felt less than chatty, or just wanted to talk amongst ourselves instead of making new friends. Just like I am sure that most of us, when abroad, sometimes felt like just chatting in English with our group/family instead of trying to engage the locals to practice the language.

 

[princesscharming]

Maybe they were caught off guard with the seating. And/or really wanted some family bonding time.

But I will say, it would leave my heart a little icy, if I didn't at least talk some with a solo traveller, who was initiating friendly conversation.

 

[LuvLDM]

Perhaps they just wanted to enjoy their meal w/ out the pressure of making small talk w/ strangers
I don't see anything in your post to indicate that they were rude, just that they did not want to talk ?
Personally I don't think this is a big deal.

 

[3SmilingFaces]

It's the chance you take, I guess. When we ate at Biergarten in Nov. our family of 5 was seated with a family of 3. They were anti-social as well. The mom turned up her nose at most of the food and didn't even say a "hello" to my 7 y/o daughter who was sitting next to her! Oh well.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Ok, so I love this restaurant. I love German food, and have always enjoyed that and the service.

I was at EPCOT "solo" yesterday, and decided to have lunch there. I have always had good experiences with the communall seating. For those that are not familiar, you are seated with other guests when dining here.

Up until yesterday, this experience has always been fine. I want you to know the food and service were wonderful as usual. What was NOT fine were my seating companions. I have no problem interacting with the other guests I'm seated with. But I was seated with an older couple at the other end of the table, and a family, mom, dad and 2 kids. They spoke french, loud and clear mind you. I smiled at them several times, trying to come across as friendly. But realizing we would not have any conversation as I do not speak French. But then the waiter came up and spoke to them and they spoke english quite well. No problem. They continued to speak with each other, ...in French. I did try to start a bit of a conversation, and was given short returns, so I eventually gave up and just finished my lunch.

The couple on the end, finished first,and as they got up to leave, she caught my eye, pointed their way and then rolled her eyes. I could tell she wasn't happy with their company at the table either.

Because of my experience yesterday, if I ever do this again, by myself, and I get this type of people at my table, I will ask to be moved. I mean, let's face it, it's not cheap to eat at Disney. I don't want to pay that kind of money for that type of "ambiance" if you will. I will insist on being sat where I will be comfortable and welcome.Thanks for letting me vent and share my experience.
Blessings,
Winnie

My bolded sentence is what gets me. What exactly do you mean by "this type of people?" People who speak a foreign language? No other guest is responsible for making your dining experience comfortable. That's up to you. Either be comfortable in your own skin dining by yourself at a communal table, and consider any conversation non-mandatory and a bonus, or don't put yourself in that situation, and dine elsewhere.

No server can know if someone else at the table will welcome you or make you comfortable, nor is it their responsibility to find out.

 

[sophie832]

Perhaps they just wanted to enjoy their meal w/ out the pressure of making small talk w/ strangers
I don't see anything in your post to indicate that they were rude, just that they did not want to talk ?
Personally I don't think this is a big deal.

That's pretty much how I feel. A lot of people are shy or anti-social, and it has nothing to do with you personally. Also, perhaps culturally they felt it would be rude to chat while eating. Who knows. While our hostess did explain that they do "family style" seating, she didn't state that there was any obligation to make conversation. We sat at a table with 5 or 6 older adults. None of them really made an attempt to chat, and neither did we. Didn't both us one bit. At the end of the meal, though, one of the women mentioned we'd been very quiet dining companions. Honestly, we were just enjoying the meal, the atmosphere, and each other.

 

[mimmi]

If they were french, their children most probably don't speak english. So they should rather have talked to you instead of their kids??

I really like being in the US but what always irritates me when being there is that everybody assumes that my seven year old daughter is already fluent in a foreign language and, usually, when people realize that she doesn't speak english they ask "when will she learn it" .
Do American children learn foreign languages so quickly that they are fluent by the age of 6 or 7?
As long as the US accept the entry of foreign tourists and hotels, restaurants etc. accept their money they have every right to be there and,of course, talk in their native languages, just as you do when visiting other countries.

 

[olbear]

My bolded sentence is what gets me. What exactly do you mean by [B]"this type of people?" [/B]People who speak a foreign language? No other guest is responsible for making your dining experience comfortable. That's up to you. Either be comfortable in your own skin dining by yourself at a communal table, and consider any conversation non-mandatory and a bonus, or don't put yourself in that situation, and dine elsewhere.

No server can know if someone else at the table will welcome you or make you comfortable, nor is it their responsibility to find out.

You're kidding right? Where, as you have quoted me, did I say what I highlighted in red???

As it is their choice to not speak, it will be my choice in the future to sit with those who are comfortable to have some table conversation with me. I am pretty social and enjoy a friendly conversation.

 

[olbear]

I just want to make it clear that the children spoke english as well. Referring to things with words such as "Cool", "awesome" "rad" etc etc.

No it was not their responsibilty to speak to me. I just thought it odd that they would not even respond with a hello. Actually they looked at me as if I had one eye in the middle of my forehead.

My lunch was over $30.00 plus tip. Yes my choice. I have eaten here MANY times, and this was my first anti social experience. It simply caught me off guard. I see no reason to be judged as feeling I am owed or anything else that has been referenced in this thread. My goodness!!

 

[kamik86]

I agree to an extent that if you go to a resteraunt like this or Teppan Edo where you know your going to be seated in this way (and I belive that you should know where your going to dinner and if you didn't know well thats on you) that you should at least make an effort to be friendly to your tablemates. If the family really had the language problem they could at least have smiled been friendly and maybe even said that the kids didn't speak English well.

I also don't think its a problem to ask to be moved if your sat at a table where most of the guests are speaking loudly in another language. Part of the fun of these resteraunts is who you end up sitting with and I"m usually rather timid around people but I understand that this is what is expected at a few places and at least attempt pleasent conversation when it is directed at me. Luckily my husband is much better at this then I so it generally works out.

 

[Lisha428]

sorry you had that experience, hope next time it goes better!

 

[crashbb]

I just want to make it clear that the children spoke english as well. Referring to things with words such as "Cool", "awesome" "rad" etc etc.

No it was not their responsibilty to speak to me. I just thought it odd that they would not even respond with a hello. Actually they looked at me as if I had one eye in the middle of my forehead.

My lunch was over $30.00 plus tip. Yes my choice. I have eaten here MANY times, and this was my first anti social experience. It simply caught me off guard. I see no reason to be judged as feeling I am owed or anything else that has been referenced in this thread. My goodness!!

And that family probaby sees no reason to be judged for not feeling compeled to have a conversation with a stranger. They also likely see no reason for strangers to be rolling their eyes about them.

If you don't want to be judged, I'd suggest not starting threads with the sole purpose of judging others.

 

[mdsoccermom]

You're kidding right? Where, as you have quoted me, did I say what I highlighted in red???

As it is their choice to not speak, it will be my choice in the future to sit with those who are comfortable to have some table conversation with me. I am pretty social and enjoy a friendly conversation.

You said this:

Because of my experience yesterday, if I ever do this again, by myself, and I get this type of people at my table, I will ask to be moved.

And I wanted to know exactly what you meant by "this type of people."

How will you know when you sit down that people will be comfortable having table conversation with you? Just because you may see a table of people laughing and carrying on doesn't mean they will include you in the conversation. Are you going to ask the server to find out from each table if they are willing to have you? Because that's not exactly their job.