Has an "unfriendly" communal table ever put a damper on the experience ?

[Hikergirl]

It's a snide way of calling people fat.

I don't think that is true, and if you look at the context of @L&Lfan's post it clearly wasn't meant in a snide way.
If you look here there are many threads asking about doing Disney as a "Pooh" sized person, and the people are referring to themselves.

 

[georgina]

I've always been a quiet person, but with traveling solo to Disney, I find myself striking up conversations more, especially since I often eat at the bar in restaurants, and choose the communal table at Trader Sam's. There have been a few instances where people were only into conversing among themselves and I felt a little weird being there, but most experiences have been good.

 

[aprilgail]

Would someone be so kind as to translate for me:
FEA
SWAGS
JBJB

I think I understand the rest. Thank you.

Thank you!! It is ridiculous using abbreviations instead of the names of the places- like we are all expected to know what they stand for!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I never felt that a communal table was meant to be treated like we are all family at that table. We are cordial when at one, but by no means do we think we're dining with friends or family. Never felt the need to think that we should all be besties.

 

[Searc]

Thank you!! It is ridiculous using abbreviations instead of the names of the places- like we are all expected to know what they stand for!!

People that hang out on other forums here know what they stand for.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Thank you!! It is ridiculous using abbreviations instead of the names of the places- like we are all expected to know what they stand for!!

FEA is very common on the Boards

SWAGS I would only be able to guess the first part of Star Wars but that's difficult with the context the OP gave. If they mentioned something about Hollywood Studios (DHS) I might be able to figure it out more.

JBJB I had zero idea about what it meant. I know about Jingle Bell Jingle Bam but not that JBJB meant that.

I'd chalk this up to the thread being on the Community Board where people may not be familiar with things in the parks (or current things in the parks if it's been a while since a visit).

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Thank you!! It is ridiculous using abbreviations instead of the names of the places- like we are all expected to know what they stand for!!

I semi-agree lol. I think the abbreviations should be used on the dining threads or what ever thread they pertain to. On the community board....not so much. Oh well.

 

[jo-jo]

I think the table set up makes a difference. At Germany, I find it awkward to keep asking for someone to move so I can go back to the buffet. I think the tables are very tight. If it was a meal that was brought to you, at least that part of the problem is solved. Once we at a TS (I forget where) that had a U shape table. My DH and I sat on one side and another couple sat on the side. I did not expect to be sharing a table, but we treated it as if there was a line down the middle. Said hello but didn't really talk back and forth. I don't think they expected us to show up either.

 

[BrianL]

FEA is very common on the Boards

SWAGS I would only be able to guess the first part of Star Wars but that's difficult with the context the OP gave. If they mentioned something about Hollywood Studios (DHS) I might be able to figure it out more.

JBJB I had zero idea about what it meant. I know about Jingle Bell Jingle Bam but not that JBJB meant that.

I'd chalk this up to the thread being on the Community Board where people may not be familiar with things in the parks (or current things in the parks if it's been a while since a visit).

Yeah, over on TPAS* most users would know these. I don't think they get slung around on the Community Board as much. "Pooh Sized" is also intended to be a nice way of describing someone's weight and is usually used in the context of the ability to fit comfortably into ride vehicles.

*TPAS = Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies - the main parks forum for WDW** on the DIS***.

** WDW = Walt Disney World - a popular theme park located in Orlando, Florida.

***DIS = Disney Information System - the old name for the forum you are reading this on.

Okay, now I am being snarky!
Here's a list of the common DIS abbreviations for anyone who is interested: https://www.disboards.com/threads/a-list-of-common-abbreviations.1660743/

 

[msjprincess]

At Biergarten, we were sat with people who didn't acknowledge our presence, but they finished before us. It wasn't terrible, but I was kind of wondering if we ruined their meal or offended them and it was awkward. It was 3 people in their 20s or early 30s having to be sat next to me, DH, a 9 year old and twin 2 year olds. I think Biergarten messed up on that one....a young family with a group of adults seems like the wrong choice.

We had something similar at Biergarten. It was me, DH, our 3yo, 4yo and 7yo. They sat us with a couple in their 60s or 70s. They didn't even acknowledge us. It was so awkward.

 

[JaxDad]

Yeah, over on TPAS* most users would know these. I don't think they get slung around on the Community Board as much. "Pooh Sized" is also intended to be a nice way of describing someone's weight and is usually used in the context of the ability to fit comfortably into ride vehicles.

*TPAS = Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies - the main parks forum for WDW** on the DIS***.

** WDW = Walt Disney World - a popular theme park located in Orlando, Florida.

***DIS = Disney Information System - the old name for the forum you are reading this on.

Okay, now I am being snarky!
Here's a list of the common DIS abbreviations for anyone who is interested: https://www.disboards.com/threads/a-list-of-common-abbreviations.1660743/

TFS BTW TMI IMNSHO KWIM J/K ROFLOL TTFN TTYL

 

[Cindy's Mom]

..

 

[Floridaman999]

ICE

 

[SantaDuffy]

That is the only Frozen dessert party so if you want to do it, you are stuck with other people. I do not like communal tables. I do not want to chat. If you tried three times then that was two times too many and I would have been wishing you could take a hint. I am there to talk to my own family or yes to decompress on my phone. I am not interested in others during a family vacation and I assume they are not interested in me. It shouldn’t detract from anyone’s experience

 

[BrianL]

TFS BTW TMI IMNSHO KWIM J/K ROFLOL TTFN TTYL

Ha! - And I don't even know what all of those mean!

 

[Snowysmom]

DH and I found it awkward at Biergarten this past May. The family who came in made it clear with dirty looks and distancing themselves as much as possible (which wasn't much but noticeable) that they did not want to be cordial. DH and I just kind of laughed it off but we both agree that we won't do Biergarten again. On the other hand, when we did the Highway in the Sky dining, we met some really nice people and had a good time talking with them.

 

[TavieP]

I'm shy and I have a light dread of communal table situations, although I've always had a pleasant time at Biergarten, Teppan Edo, etc.

Cruises are a different story - my husband is much more social-phobic than I am and the one cruise we took, I had to request a private table for the duration of the cruise because being forced to sit and make small talk with strangers at every meal gave him panic attacks. He would've starved otherwise!

Now, I refuse to go to any communal table situation with my father, because he considers all strangers "fair game" for his lectures about subjects that nobody cares about.

 

[tinkerhon]

Thanks all for posting ! Didn't want.to come across as saying that people have to talk - we are basically quiet people as well -

 

[Cubbiecakes]

We avoid communal dining if at all possible.

It's not my job to entertain idiot extroverts, and I have no difficulty saying that directly to them if they don't get the hint.

 

[kaytieeldr]

One couple was average sized; the other Pooh sized

So two large people, two

and you two (https://www.songfacts.com/facts/randy-newman/short-people)