Just got back from a great weekend in the mountains and have been wondering about something since yesterday morning.

3 of us went to breakfast at the best place in town for breakfast (AND fresh from the gulf seafood on weekends ). The restaurant had been popping all morning and it was still packed at late morning. Parties of 2, 2 and 3 were waiting, and the owner's mom (serving as hostess) asked if any of us were willing to share a table. First party of 2 declined, leaving the rest of us to share a large table, a delicious breakfast and wonderful company! The conversation and interaction with this impromptu dining group was one of the best parts of the weekend. Youngish group of 3 and retired couple of 2 founds LOTS to talk about, laugh at, and stories to share. It was just a delightful time.

I'm just wondering...how many of us would be willing (most of the time) to share a table with total strangers in order to be served faster - and how many would most often say "No thanks".

I would definitely be happy to share a table..we shared a table in Spain at a winery with a single gentleman and learned so much about the area...We travel as a couple, leaving the group stuff to those who like to have the same conversations over and over...there is much to be learned from others...different views, different perspectives..that's why we love to travel.

Unless it was a "special occasion" where we would want to be alone...I think we'd opt for sharing rather than waiting.

And truthfully, so many times in a restaurant the tables are so close together...you might as well be sharing!

Debi

K-Paul's in New Orleans used to require everyone to share a table in order to fill up the seats and sit as many people as possible. There was always a long line waiting, and I'd often go in alone for lunch - the anticipation of what interesting souls I would sit with was as exciting as waiting for the delicious food!

If we were on vacation and it wasn't a romantic meal or anything, absolutely. Some of our best memories of Africa involved shared tables...a B&B in the winelands, group dinner while on Safari at our game lodge, communal breakfasts while at an eco lodge,etc. We were often the only Americans there and having conversations with the Africans and tourists from other countries was just wonderful.

On the other hand, if it was our weekly "Date night" which is our opportunity to catch up and have fun and deal with the "business" of running our family (will you make the tball game tuesday? we need to okay plans for the kitchen remodel, can you meet with the designer on friday am? etc.),then I would pass.

Glad you had a wonderful time. Sounds like the other couple missed out.

taitai

This is a common practice in Germany. We were once seated with two German ladies who spoke absolutely no English. We just nodded, smiled, ate, and they wished us a good appetite (in German) when our food arrived at the table.

No big deal. Only in the U.S. is it a big deal.

Yes, especially at breakfast.

Have you ever been on a cruise? There are no regular seatings for breakfast & lunch. They fill up the tables as people arrive. You never know who you are going to be sitting with from day to day. You meet all different kinds.

Absolutely - I travel a lot in the UK and on the continent where it is almost expected in many casual places. Everyone shares w/o batting an eye. Sometimes you chat and sometimes not - but sharing a table only makes sense.

Here it isn't as much ingrained in the culture -

I do enjoy this style once in awhile. I like B&B's for this very reason. My Husband does not. I like to meet people from all over.
As budman said, this is common priactice in Germany. We met many interesting people sharing a cozy table.
I guess if I were going a couple of blocks away to a nice restaurnat on a Fri night after a hard week and a "weird" or obnoxious person sat with us I would be upset.

With DH and my many travels and tours we have shared tables many times. We love it, as we meet very interesting people from all over the world. And have kept up correspondence with many.

We totally would, except, as stated, when there might be a reason to wish to dine alone.

But, I'm surprised at Budman's description of a cruise. Maybe it varies by cruise line, or maybe things have changed. We spent a few days on a cruise as part of our honeymoon 10 years ago (Carnival). Our table every night was the same 4 couples. We had no idea who they would be going into the cruise, but we spent enough time together, that by the end of the cruise we really enjoyed each others' company. Not enough to keep up after . . . But, it was fun to see the same people each evening and compare notes. We even chose to spend one evening with one of the couples on a shore excursion, because we hit it off enough to know we'd have fun.

I was pleased to see that no one was unwilling to share a table. However, it would probably keep me from ordering something messy to eat...

When traveling, yes. In hometown, no.

Budman was talking about breakfast and lunch on cruise ships...

Common practice in some places in Italy, and in Venice, we shared a table with Trixie and ended up having great conversation and fun--she showed us places in Venice that aren't in the typical tourbooks.

Traveling on train from Seattle to Chicago and back we shared tables at every meal and it was generally a good experience--only once was it really awkward.

Many years ago a friend and I shared a table with another young couple at a little restaurant in Chinatown. Every now and then my friend and I recall what a happy experience it was.

I think sharing a table is worth the risk unless the purpose of the meal is to discuss personal matters.

lol, here I am! No.
Not for breakfast..I am doing well to speak to the server, I don't want to sit at a table of strangers in the morning.
Dinner would be better but even then, when I am on a holiday, I don't really want to share meals with strangers.
( have I become a curmudgeon yet? )

Definitely! and like above posters have mentioned, there would be certain times that it wouldn't work for me/us, but sometimes my hubby and I will sit at a counter or at the bar to eat.....and in those venues you also get to meet and greet if you feel like it!

We would probably be in the "No, thank you" group. Mostly because, for us, meals are family time, the sort of thing that taitai called their "date night". And that's even more true when we're eating out than when we're eating at home because we're more of a "captive audience"! I would feel rude having family discussions with strangers at the table.