Why Won't You Sit With Us?

[kaytieeldr]

I'm sure you guys would love sitting with us Aussies.

You bet! And not only because we'd (well, I'd ) hope to be copying your accent by the end of the meal - but also because I've never been to Australia! Sure, I could read about it; I could even go there IF I could handle the flights . But I'd relish the opportunity to learn a little about your country from YOU.

 

[darthtatty]

I wouldnt do a proper table service meal with strangers but when its part of a show i dont have a problem.
for quick service i have no problem with it at all, i know most people eat and run.

 

[NC State]

Sorry, on vacation I want to concentrate on my family

Agree!
Plus, you don't want to set beside some that has smelly arm pits.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Respectfully, why do people assume diners to whom they're not related or who they don't already know will chew with their mouths open or bore them to death with minor details* or have smelly armpits or belch or be off-color or any one of dozens of other minor or major offenses - without any advance knowledge whatsoever? Isn't that an awfully negative attitude to ascribe to your fellow travelers?

*I wouldn't even base such a decision on one or two experiences such as the ones described by PSUGuy - even he has had more good experiences than bad, AND he's not just dismissing out-of-hand the opportunity (or need, given a restaurant's set-up) to dine with strangers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

the reason why we don't like to share it because we don't want to torture people with DS8's incessant talking. Seriously, even on meds he's really annoying.

Fine with me I can talk to anyone.

 

[kimbo0569]

I personally don't mind it. It doesn't bother me or my husband to sit and share a table with another family in a situation like that. I think others though may feel out of their comfort zone. A meal like that is maybe what? an hour - a couple at the most?

 

[pmaurer74]

I don;t mind at all if they doo't mind my kids!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I hate it because, in general, I don't like other people.

 

[bluejasmine]

We dont mind at all! Another one with a DH who never met a stranger! I never understood the big deal about sharing a table at Biergrten or a Japanesse Steak House, we have met fantastic ppl this way!

 

[pixarmom]

Really interesting thread.

In response to the original question, we're all very social and our family is fortunate to spend lots of time together at home. I really enjoy meeting people - we met a really nice family on the bus last trip and had a great time talking with them. But we really like to reserve meal times for our family.

Our kids have lots to say, and vacations (particularly during meals) are one of the most relaxed and extended opportunities we have to listen to and talk with them. Many times, when adults become engaged in conversation, our kids don't feel as included in the conversation. And they are certain not to talk about the same kinds of things they would if we were sitting alone - especially when meeting someone new.

 

[morecowbell]

I don't know any Americans like this.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Fine with me I can talk to anyone.

As long as you don't mind hearing random useless information. And anything having to do with pandas and lions. He's gonna be a zookeeper when he grows up. He is a joy to be with but the constant chatter can drive you insane. LOL

Oh and I would love to sit with anyone with an Australian, British, Irish, or Scottish accent. I pick them up extremely quickly and will be speaking just like you in less then an hour.
We almost moved to the UK but didn't because DD was born when they wanted us to move. But she would have been adorable with a British accent!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I don't know any Americans like this.

Don't know any Americans like what ?

 

[patsal]

I'm on vacation, not interested in meeting new people and really want to put my time and energy into the kids. No offence as everyone is no doubt very nice, but I go on vaction so my kids can be the center of my world for 2 weeks, the time I have with them is too short to lose even one meal to disaster. I also know how fast the time goes by with kids and really it is too precious.

 

[U2_rocks!]

It's funny, but I get used to relating to DH and the kids in a certain way, and when we are in the company of others, with new questions being asked and new topics of conversation being raised, I usually discover something new about my own family! So I usually don't mind spending time with strangers occasionally while on vacation - it can be really interesting. But I wouldn't want to be forced to do it all the time, because I don't like to be under anyone else'e scrutiny if I have to speak to one of my kids about a misbehaviour, or if we have to discuss something kind of private. So sharing some meals would be OK, but not all.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I have absolutely no issues or aversion to sharing a table. Honestly, when you eat at any of the packed restaurants at WDW, you might as well be sharing a table. We were 8 inches from the next table at CP, about that at CRT, and not much more than that at Ohana. Those tables are snug, too!

I figure at best, we'll chat and have a nice time meeting new people, and at worst we'll eat our meal while they eat 8 inches closer than they otherwise would have been. We're not looking to force a friendship, and are obviously there for each other, first and foremost, but it's fun to talk to new people sometimes.

We did once have a family refuse to sit with us, which was a bit unnerving, although apparently they refused to sit with anybody and left, instead.

Oh, and I agree that to have the chance to sit with Cheshire Figment or any of the true experts on this board would be fantastic!

 

[Big_Disney_Fan]

I do not think we (Americans) mean to be rude. It must be a cultural thing. We almost never sit at a table that is too big for us, but I do not believe that I would ever think of offering up extra seats at our table, nor would I ask if we could share a table if the roles were reversed. Now at Biergarten I know that is what you do, and I am cool with it. It is fun to share stories.

Thank you, you have giving me something to ponder, and possible re-consider.

 

[RavensMommy]

I find this question very interesting so would like to give my "2 cents". Normally, I prefer to not share a table when in a restaurant simply because I do not want to be put in the postition of possibly having to ask some one to chew with their mouth closed, discipline their child or a number of other little idoscyncracies that I find annoying. This is not saying that everyone has poor manners or undisciplined children, but I don't want to take that chance.

However, if I know is advance that that is how the restaurant seats its customers, and I can mentally prepare myself to be more outgoing and less critical, I have no problem sitting with others and maintaining a pleasant conversation.

I don't think it is necessarily an "American thing" not to want to share tables, nor is it selfish, it is a personal preference.

 

[princessallegra]

This thread is fascinating.

I can't really answer the question properly, because we've never dined at Biergarten or Teppan Edo at Disney. But I will say that I make friends literally everywhere we go at WDW! Be it the bus line, on the bus, on line for an attraction, waiting for the parade...I'm just a talkative person. I think if DH and I wanted to try one of these restaurants badly enough, we would. I don't think having to share a long table is a big deal, BUT I can already see how having to eat with other families COULD cause some problems. If the kids are running around misbehaving or throwing food, etc. that would really upset me. If people were being overly drunk and in our business, that would bother me too. But we would have no problem making small talk with people who are nice!! lol.

We have offered to share tables at CS restaurants when we are at a 4 top, and there's another couple or family looking to eat. No problems there at all.

I guess it comes down to EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!! Different strokes for different folks!

 

[ChristaDeVil]

Come on over and sit down. My husband gets a little shy around strangers, but he will warm up to you after a half a beer. My son and I will talk to anyone. We drink beer (not my son...he sticks to root beer), laugh, cut up, and have been known to give fastpasses to our table mates. See you there!