Why Won't You Sit With Us?

[larryz]

Well, not US, but people in general -- why is it people (Americans in particular) seem to hate sharing a table with others, as in Biergarten or other large table restaurants?

Why do YOU hate it?

 

[Rekenna]

You can sit with us anytime. My husband doesn't know a stranger and DS4 will talk your arm off. On the other hand you may not want to sit with US!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I love it! I've been to Biergarten over a dozen times and always love talking with folks. Last trip, my buddy and I sat with 2 families from Canada, so we got to be the 'fereners'. They were from Montreal and Hamilton I think and had never met either. We had a blast. Most folks like it here, but a few complainers post over and over how they hate it. Don't take it personally. They're the losers, they lose out on meeting new folks.

 

[bdoyledimou]

I think that we, in general, are private and shy and paranoid.

Mind you, there was a small restaurant i went to in Tennesee while i was on business (solo) and when i said I was alone, the hostess brought me to a long table where a number of other solo diners (also on business) were sitting, saying how no one should have to be alone just because they were away from home.

It was unnerving at first, but the others at the table were friendly and we had a good meal, and left when we were done and joined by others..

It made me feel less "alone" in the world, and i went back there for every meal, every night, and sat with some old, some new.

I wish i could remember the name of the place.. it was jsut a greasy spoon, but it was about 12 years ago ..

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Doesn't bother me, I'm friendly And we will share a table at a CS if it looks like someone needs a place to sit & the place is crazy buzy. Same with the pool, I don't care if you put some of your stuff on the chairs at my table as long as you don't try to take over & then kick me out

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I think it is hard for some people to make "small talk." Not me, though.

As a previous poster said though, if you get seated with US, you will be rolling YOUR eyes!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If I am in Teppan Edo or Biergarten, either alone or with a couple of friends, I will alwys try to strike up a conversation with the others at the table. Of course, if they are unwilling I do not press the point, but it is their loss as I am always willing to give suggestions to improve their Disney experiance.

 

[chabs]

I am talking the opposite approach to most everyone else. We don't have a lot of time to spend as a family because of work, sports, etc. When we are away, I want to just relax and spend time alone with my own family and not have to worry about making small talk with strangers.

 

[WDWFWfan]

I think it really depends on whether or not you are a "people" person. For those who are not, there are a number of reasons why one might not want to eat with others. Some people just like their privacy, don't want to talk, are concerned about another's personal hygiene, eating habits, etc. For example, nothing quite spoils a meal like watching your neighbor chew with their mouth open .

 

[disneydeb1224]

Sorry, on vacation I want to concentrate on my family

 

[StitchFan73]

Not an issue for us-but we're clowns. We are a family who likes to have a good time and we are constantly joking around, so perhaps people might not wanna sit with us

Seriously it doesn't bother us one bit-now my sister and her family-that's a who different bunch of She gets hives at the thought of something like that. She's super shy. Ironically though my niece is super friendly and social (she must take after her outgoing Aunt)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Somebody ate my first answer

In a hot second! I'm shy, sure - but not over food. Heck, if I'm dining alone in a vacation spot, I'll talk to the people at the tables around me! If they don't want to talk, I get it (but they're missing out on my sparkling wit and my great sense of humor ). The sit-down restaurant at the old Disney Institute used to have a 'group' table. Singles and couples were given the opportunity to join other like travelers; nobody was forced, you could certainly be seated at a private table. But it's more fun to eat and converse with people, than to observe.

And, heck, I'd relish (pun intended ) the chance to pick Cheshire Figment's brain!

 

[mfd25wife]

Heck, I even start talking to the people in line for the attractions. I don't think I've ever met a stranger. Seriously, part of the fun at WDW to me is listening to the languages and/or accents and striking up conversations with others. But, I do especially like talking to the CM's about how they came to work there. I'll have to look for CF in December when I go through with friends.

 

[mistysue]

I would like if we could go places and be seated with new people. I am quiet so I have a hard enough time meeting people - throw in having kids and I never get to met anybody.

I have noticed on the occasions my daughter tries to talk to nearby tables people are so throw off and even act offended that somebody would talk to them.

 

[robinb]

I don't mind sharing a table but often I find that my Biergarten table-mates don't want to share one with me .

 

[kaytieeldr]

Some people just like their privacy, don't want to talk, are concerned about another's personal hygiene, eating habits, etc. For example, nothing quite spoils a meal like watching your neighbor chew with their mouth open

Respectfully, that's awfully judgmental about someone one doesn't even know and who may not even be aware they're doing something 'offensive' (chewing with mouth open). It may well be the judging person or a member of their party with the bad habit or percieved (or preconcieved) "personal hygiene" issue... and by doing so, they may miss out on meeting a truly amazing person or family.

Sorry, on vacation I want to concentrate on my family

Understood to a degree - and not addressing one specific poster, just quoting the closest post expressing this thought... but why travel if one isn't willing to broaden one's experiences? Yes, I understand 'real life' makes it hard for the whole family to spend "quality" time together - but a family can spend a week at home not answering the phone and concentrate on each other, or take day trips; and eat out or get take-out (so it's a vacation for the cook), or even spend some time in a local hotel and save hundreds or thousands on airfare... When you* go somewhere like Walt Disney World, you have the opportunity to encounter people from all walks of life, from all over the world, in a way you just, well, don't at home.

*ANY "you"

 

[Rudy6]

I love the Biergarten and love being around people. I am a little shy at first, but once I get to know people I get over it. Whenever we eat at the Biergarten, I put our son next to the other people. He will talk to anyone about anything. In fact, as I am writing this, I hear him talking.

So for me I like being around people, it is just that inital shyness.

 

[enigmaticorange]

In truth, we prefer the absolute most private table we can get in any restaurant. Booths are preferable. We aren't anti-social, but we don't need to hear your conversations just like you don't need to hear my kids laugh themselves silly over fart jokes. Meals with my family are important- I don't really want to give a mini-bio with each meal. (Whatsyernamewhereyafromwhatchado?) If you catch me on a Disney bus/monorail/bathroom line? I may just talk your ear off.

 

[roxiepenguin]

...just like you don't need to hear my kids laugh themselves silly over fart jokes. .

HAHAHAHA!!! priceless!!!

 

[BLTLDZ]

Both FH & I LOVE meeting new people. WE are talkers.... So much so, we tire each other out eith our yapping!!