Pointless question about seating arrangements when you go out to eat

[larry_stewart]

This is more of a question out of curiosity than anything else.

My wife and I went out to eat tonight ( Chinese) at a restaurant. The waitress escorted us to a booth. My wife sat on one side and I sat on the other, leaving us across the table from each other , as we usually do when it is the two of us.

A few minutes later, another couple was sat at the booth right next to us. It was a couple ( Just 2 people), and they sat next to each other. Im not sure of their status ( married, dating, or whatever). They were late 60's early 70's.

Visually it seemed a little strange to me ( especially in a booth).
If it were a small square or round table I wouldn't have thought much of it.

Im not criticizing it, just wondering what everyone else does.

On that note, if we go out with a couple, family or a larger groups, In a booth we would sit next to each other ( usually) but other table size and shapes we sometimes sit across from each other.

Anyway, never really thought about it much until today.

 

[Andy M.]

In a booth we sit across from each other.

At a square table we sit on adjacent sides.

If we are with another couple, we’d sit together on one side of a booth unless SO and the other woman were very close. Then they’d sit together on the same side of the booth and I’d sit across from her.

 

[taxlady]

In a booth we sit across from each other.

At a square table we sit on adjacent sides.

If we are with another couple, we’d sit together on one side of a booth unless SO and the other woman were very close. Then they’d sit together on the same side of the booth and I’d sit across from her.

That's pretty much how we do it, though I don't think we ever gave it much thought.

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Shrek and I sat across from each other in a booth but hold hands across the table. Square or round, we'd sit adjacent and hold hands. My right, his left...so we could eat. I'm a leftie!

 

[Katie H]

Usually, when Glenn and I go out to eat, we most often sit across from each other. So much easier to talk to each other. When we are with another couple, we sit next to each other and across from our fellow diners, again makes conversation better.

We have, on ocassion, sat side-by-side, if the table has a challenge or if we wish to have a better view, such as at a dinner theatre.

Otherwise, across from each other.

 

[Kayelle]

I've also noticed that it looks odd for a couple to sit on the same side of a booth. No matter where they sit, I think it's even more odd if a couple is fiddling with their phones instead of having a conversation. I just don't get that at all.

 

[GotGarlic]

I guess we're that odd couple [emoji38] Sometimes we sit across from each other and sometimes we sit on the same side of the booth. We snuggle a bit and nuzzle shoulders and, you know... enjoy each other and share food.

It worked out great one night. We sat together and there was a graduation party going on in the space in front of us. They were supposed to have the party on an upstairs deck, but the weather was chilly and drizzly, so they brought it inside. Such fun to watch [emoji2]

 

[cjmmytunes]

If it is just Mom and I, we will sit across from one another. But it's rare that just the two of us are eating out. We normally get take out and bring it home so Mom can be comfy.

 

[Just Cooking]

We are in the "across from each other" group, unless with others..

Ross

 

[Kaneohegirlinaz]

Our seating arrangements are:

Booth - just us two - across from each other
Booth - w/another folks - next to each other
Table - just us two - next to each other
Table - w/another folks - across from each other

Cell Phones and any/all electronic devices are prohibited from any table, be it at home, in a restaurant-booth or table and absolutely never when visiting at someone's home, ever!
This had been a difficult rule for DH, seeing as his phone is attached to his hand like a, what for it ... whiny 10 year little boy

 

[Lee Vining]

Eagle Tavern, Greenfield Village mi:

Google Images unless otherwise noted

It may have changed since the Covid but the Eagle Tavern in Dearborn Mi at the Henry Ford Museum has common picnic table seating. They seat people and groups that don't know each other together at the same table. Or did until recently.

Some roll with it and enjoy it, some are taken back and uncomfortable with it. They display an out of their element, poker-faced attitude.

Food is locally sourced and menu is from the 1800's goes the premise. One guy at our table asked the server to throw the trout he was served "back into the pond outside."

Our meals have always been amazing.

I'd trade my next born child for the savory noodles recipe. Absolutely off the chain delicious. Sometimes available with a pumpkin sausage around the holidays. Yumpin' Yimminy it's good.

 

[Texmex]

This is more of a question out of curiosity than anything else.

My wife and I went out to eat tonight ( Chinese) at a restaurant. The waitress escorted us to a booth. My wife sat on one side and I sat on the other, leaving us across the table from each other , as we usually do when it is the two of us.

A few minutes later, another couple was sat at the booth right next to us. It was a couple ( Just 2 people), and they sat next to each other. Im not sure of their status ( married, dating, or whatever). They were late 60's early 70's.

Visually it seemed a little strange to me ( especially in a booth).
If it were a small square or round table I wouldn't have thought much of it.

Im not criticizing it, just wondering what everyone else does.

On that note, if we go out with a couple, family or a larger groups, In a booth we would sit next to each other ( usually) but other table size and shapes we sometimes sit across from each other.

Anyway, never really thought about it much until today.

The only people I see sitting side by side in restaurants are young dating people. But it's possible that one of them needed some kind of assistance or was hard of hearing and so easier to be right next to them. I would say hard of hearing might be the reason.

 

[GotGarlic]

The only people I see sitting side by side in restaurants are young dating people. But it's possible that one of them needed some kind of assistance or was hard of hearing and so easier to be right next to them. I would say hard of hearing might be the reason.

Maybe they like to snuggle and whisper to each other

 

[KatyCooks]

I don't know what the "norm" is here in Britain, but I always choose to sit opposite anyone I am dining with. I think people who are comfortable with each other generally do sit opposite because communication is easier for sure. But definitely, and way back in my younger days, a young man would want to sit next to me and I would say that conversation would be easier if they sat opposite! (I always wanted to get to know a guy before he could feel it was okay to be too easy to get near me!!)

 

[Kathleen]

Hmm....perhaps we are anomalies. I love sitting side by side. Sometimes we sit across from each other and sometimes we sit side by side. If it is a table where one side is a bench, we always sit side by side. If it is a booth, we typically sit across from each other unless it is crazy noisy, then we will sit side by side. One thing: I hate is being seated "out in the open" where streams of people are flowing past. If that happens, I'll sit on someone's lap before sitting within the stream.

 

[taxlady]

I guess you folks who usually sit across from each other when in a booth, are talking about rectangular booths. We usually sit across from each other in a rectangular booth. But, when it's a semi-circular booth, we usually sit side by side. Also, when there is a bench along the wall in a busy resto, we usually both sit with our backs to the wall.