Why Won't You Sit With Us?

[2Tiggies]

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

You need to stop in Britain

It's a cultural thing as well as depending on the nature of the group and the general mood.

I like meeting new people and I am happy to share a table for the most part. However I do sometimes have days when I just want to sit quietly and focus on my daughter.

 

[nessz79]

I don't *hate* it. I've shared tables at hibachi restaurants, places in China Town in NYC, and at big events. It's not my favorite, because I'm a really shy person. I have a hard time making conversation with people I don't know, but I feel awkward just sitting there at the same table and not even attempting to chat. But so often, people don't want to talk to you...

I'd just rather have my own table; saves me a lot of internal worry!

Me, too! Though my DH is very outgoing and talkative and doesnt' at all mind sitting with strangers. In fact, I think he prefers the Europeans- they are often very friendly and open. I *wish* it were easier for me to sit with strangers, but I just get anxious about it!

 

[troynkasey]

We don't have a problem at all! We actually enjoy it. With a larger group...usually 5-6 people we almost feel like folks are sitting with us. What better way to get the true hoffbrau experience than to sit together like you've known each other for years!!

 

[Chelley00]

Mine is that we rarely get any family time because of sports, jobs, school etc that when we go out to dinner, or go on vacation, we want to be able to fully enjoy our children and don't want to have to make conversation with someone we probably won't ever see again.

 

[Mississippianna]

There's something about being at Disney World that makes me even more likely to do something like share a table. I figure everyone else there is happy to be on vacation in the World, too. We already have this in common, so have a seat!

 

[verticalchaos]

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

This was just the first one that said something along these lines, so it's the one I'm quoting.

This is the very reason (the fact that we're not big on German food aside) we will never eat at Biergarten. If people want to be loud and obnoxious, it's bad enough if they're at their own table. But to have to share a table with people who think it's funny to be loud and obnoxious is the furthest thing from relaxing for my family. M dad is super outgoing and will talk to pretty much anyone, but even he finds intentional clowns obnoxious and off-putting. We have a perfectly good time. We just do it with a sense of decorum and respect for those around us.

 

[gillenkl]

If it's crazy busy - sure, share my table.

 

[morecowbell]

Don't know any Americans like what ?

Larryz the original poster claims americans don't like to sit at strangers tables. I don't know any americans personally who feel like this.

 

[DisneyMomm]

I don't mind sharing a table with other people, it's just the fear that it'll be akward. I'm pretty outgoing and willing to talk to new people, but there are some people that no matter what, you just don't click with them. That's what worries me about Biergarten. You just never know if it'll be a fun dinner of interacting with a family who lives thousands of miles from you, or if it'll be a strained politeness with everyone just trying to get it over with.

 

[MartDM]

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!

Sounds like my DH & DS3...hehehe! Glad I'm not the only one!

Maybe we oughta get together and see whose DH/DS wears the other one's out first (you and I can sit one table over and observe the competition over the graceful quiet of a couple of margarita's).

 

[larryz]

Larryz the original poster claims americans don't like to sit at strangers tables. I don't know any americans personally who feel like this.

You live in a worldly group of people, then -- I've seen several posts in other threads about how people hate to share the Biergarten tables with others.

 

[fla4fun]

I don't mind sharing with strangers if I'm traveling with friends or family. However, I feel a little uncomfortable when traveling solo sharing a table with strangers. I'm a rather shy, conservative kind of person, and it takes me a while to warm up to people. If I have someone else with me who I feel comfortable with, then I feel more relaxed about it. I also prefer not to share a table with loud or boistrous people - your idea of having fun just isn't the same as my idea of having fun.

It's also a personal space thing. Everyone has their "bubble" of personal space they feel comfortable with. There are cultural differences around the world of the size of the bubble - some countries have larger "bubbles" than others. It's not that one is right or wrong - they're just different. That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the choice of leaving a chair empty between you and the stranger - needing that "bubble" space.

Personally, though, I don't like long tables anywhere - being left handed, I have trouble sitting in the middle of a row of chairs. I typically gravitate towards the corner of a table so I'm not bumping elbows with someone else.

 

[mickeysaver]

Mostly we skip out on table sharing because we are lesbians and we just don't want any drama to invade our vacation. We are making one exception this year, but we are already seriously considering cancelling, and that is for Teppan Edo.

 

[CathieArms]

Generally speaking, I don't mind it at all - especially someplace like Biergarten. In a nicer restaurant like Teppan Edo, I kinda wish we didn't have to share, but only because it will embarrass me if my children don't behave as they should...

 

[mrspopeye]

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 ..

If you were in Nashville, it sounds like Monell's.

 

[BingBang]

Ate at Biergarten once w/DH and another couple we were traveling with. Checked in and were told we had to wait a few minutes for our table. I REALLY had to go to the bathroom and figured I may as well take care of things and wash hands before dinner. Well, the CM came to seat our party with another family and said everyone had to wait since I wasn't there. A woman in the other party came totally unglued, was yelling at the CM that they shouldn't have to wait for us to be seated, how rude I was, etc. The CM finally seated them but then actually put our group at the same table! Talk about tension! This woman had major attitude and showed it constantly throughout the meal, glared at me, and made remarks within earshot. I had no idea about this policy and obviously didn't do this intentionally. I have never seen anything like it and hope to never see anything like it ever again; we obviously won't be going back there again...

 

[luvthemouse71]

It doesn't bother me, especially when at WDW. I enjoy talking to new people.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Mostly we skip out on table sharing because we are lesbians and we just don't want any drama to invade our vacation. We are making one exception this year, but we are already seriously considering cancelling, and that is for Teppan Edo.

Really? Even in this supposedly enlightened age? That stinks. You shouldn't have to avoid a restaurant because of the seating! If I were going to be there when you were, I'd sit with you... and not cause any drama (see my signature).

 

[skiingfast]

I'm generally fine with sitting by others. At Teppon Edo, what would you expect? At Biergarten they tell you this will happen calling to make an ADR, checking in at biergarten and again if you are seated first.

I've heard people say we didn't like it because of that, and I can only wonder what they expected.

Do you shower, then sit down.

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

It only bothers me if I'm the only adult partaking of adult beverages at the table...otherwise, CHEERS!

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