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

[Disney Doll]

I can talk or not, depending on the vibe at the table. I enjoy it if people want to talk hearing their stories etc. I don’t get offended or think I did something wrong or whatever if they don’t talk.

I do find that people these days are more invested in their phones in public, so that can impact conversation.

 

[slpeters]

We've only ever had one bad experience but it does make me enter communal table situations with a bit of reticence. We once shared a table with a couple who were obviously just really uncomfortable to be sitting with a gay couple. We aren't particularly, well, anything but we have been together for over twenty years and it's really apparent we're a couple. It was just awkward. They whispered and glared throughout the whole meal and their whispering wasn't as quiet as they thought. Obviously they were sort of awful people, but I still felt oddly responsible for having ruined their evening, even if it was just by existing... But other than that we have generally had rather great experiences. My husband is one of those people that people just take a shine to so that kind of greases the wheels. We ended up so enrapt in conversation at the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam dessert party that the CMs had to come over to remind us we were about to miss the fireworks.

 

[luvsJack]

Well, we are southern so tend to be the kind to talk to the post if it stands still long enough.

But, my usual way would be to say hello and ask a sort of open question, like “how are you enjoying your vacation?” If the people want to talk, that gives them the opportunity and if I only get grunts, then I don’t try again.

If it’s a young family with small children, sometimes I speak to the child or compliment the child and that breaks the ice.

I certainly don’t think speaking to someone is some kind of need for them to “entertain” me. That’s silly. It’s just being nice.

If they don’t want to talk, it’s ok. I enjoy the experience with my own family.

 

[shh]

We were sternly told, "We don't drink the Devil's Juice." Ummm...ok. *insert crickets chirping and awkward silence*

too funny...I'd have just said..."cool - more for me!"

 

[Bamaclan4]

A few years ago we ate at Biergarten for our Candlelight Processional meal. Our family can pretty much talk to anyone, not so this time. We waited 25 minutes for our “table companions”. The Hostess-told us this was the holdup. After they finally arrive we follow the waiter to our table. We are at the front of the line so as we all go to front and get seated the mom of the other family not so politely tells us they were planning on sitting there, really after causing us to wait 25 minutes. So, trying to remember how my momma raised me, and ignore my natural urge to tell her what I thought of that idea, I have my family move to the back part of the table. Even with this bad start, I decide to be cordial and try to start a conversation. Well the mom wanted none of that. But the thing is if the mom was ever gone from the table the dad and/or kids would turn and start asking us questions but as soon mom returned they completely ignored us again. Strangest dinner we have ever had.

 

[msjprincess]

A few years ago we ate at Biergarten for our Candlelight Processional meal. Our family can pretty much talk to anyone, not so this time. We waited 25 minutes for our “table companions”. The Hostess-told us this was the holdup. After they finally arrive we follow the waiter to our table. We are at the front of the line so as we all go to front and get seated the mom of the other family not so politely tells us they were planning on sitting there, really after causing us to wait 25 minutes. So, trying to remember how my momma raised me, and ignore my natural urge to tell her what I thought of that idea, I have my family move to the back part of the table. Even with this bad start, I decide to be cordial and try to start a conversation. Well the mom wanted none of that. But the thing is if the mom was ever gone from the table the dad and/or kids would turn and start asking us questions but as soon mom returned they completely ignored us again. Strangest dinner we have ever had.

That's weird. I've never had them do that.


ETA
I'd be annoyed with Biergarten about the wait. Waiting to fill a table is not the norm. It doesn't even make sense. What if the other people never show up? They'll leave another party waiting all night?

 

[Bamaclan4]

Well we wondered that ourselves, but we got told same thing 2 or 3 times. Either way it was aggravating to say the least.

 

[gwynne]

Well we wondered that ourselves, but we got told same thing 2 or 3 times. Either way it was aggravating to say the least.

It sounds like the hostess was poorly trained and the server had no experience waiting on multiple parties.
There is no reason to make guests wait. It's a buffet with shared seating.
Sorry this happened to you. It must have been annoying to say the least.

 

[Bamaclan4]

My family still laughs about how scared the woman’s family was of her

 

[paisleys]

We've only ever had one bad experience but it does make me enter communal table situations with a bit of reticence. We once shared a table with a couple who were obviously just really uncomfortable to be sitting with a gay couple. We aren't particularly, well, anything but we have been together for over twenty years and it's really apparent we're a couple. It was just awkward. They whispered and glared throughout the whole meal and their whispering wasn't as quiet as they thought. Obviously they were sort of awful people, but I still felt oddly responsible for having ruined their evening, even if it was just by existing... But other than that we have generally had rather great experiences. My husband is one of those people that people just take a shine to so that kind of greases the wheels. We ended up so enrapt in conversation at the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam dessert party that the CMs had to come over to remind us we were about to miss the fireworks.

That's terrible how they treated you. GRRRR