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#Post#: 72678--------------------------------------------------
And speaking of tables …
By: Songbird Date: December 27, 2021, 10:24 pm
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My boyfriend and I went to see the holiday light display at the
zoo.
There is a snack bar at the zoo, you order food at the counter
and eat it at a picnic table. The tables are small, designed
for individual families to sit.
My boyfriend went to the counter to order food, and I found an
empty table. I was sitting at the table, waiting for him to pay
for the food and join me, when a group of people sat down at the
table. They didn’t ask if they could share the table, they
simply sat down as if I weren’t there. My boyfriend arrived with
the food Just after they sat down.
Honestly, I would have agreed to share the table if they’d asked
me. But I thought it was rude of them to ignore me.
My boyfriend says I should have told them to go find their own
table. But we didn’t say anything to them.
Opinions?
#Post#: 72679--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: NFPwife Date: December 27, 2021, 11:41 pm
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In the "before time" (pre-covid) I'd let it go if it was busy or
crowded. Even then, they'd be objectively rude not to say
something or make a motion to seek permission from you.
Covid? I'm saying something. Or coughing. A lot. (I'd cover my
mouth or keep my mask on, of course.) In the current state of
affairs, they were beyond rude.
#Post#: 72684--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: Winterlight Date: December 28, 2021, 8:55 am
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I don't think it would be wrong to say something, but I totally
get feeling uncomfortable with that. I'd like to think I would
have, but then I had a creepy guy walk up to me a couple weeks
ago while I sat at a small table at an open-air market, sit
down, and start hitting on me. My response was to leave rather
than say anything.
#Post#: 72687--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: Rose Red Date: December 28, 2021, 9:30 am
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Were there other tables? I would have left if there were since
I'm non-confrontational.
If there are no other seats, it depends on how many seats there
are. If it's large enough that there's enough space between us,
I may just let it go. If it's a tight squeeze, I'd probably say
something. Eating can be disgusting business and most people
converse during a meal, and I don't want "droplets" anywhere on
or near me.
#Post#: 72689--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: lakey Date: December 28, 2021, 10:08 am
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I tend to be a loner, so I wouldn't really like strangers
sitting at the table I'm occupying. I might move, but I wouldn't
say anything. Even if you are careful of what you say, and how
you say it, there are people who will react belligerently.
#Post#: 72691--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: holly firestorm Date: December 28, 2021, 11:46 am
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Yes, it was rude because they didn't say anything first, even if
there weren't other tables available. But, as long as there was
space enough for my whole party (in your case, just the
boyfriend) I probably wouldn't say anything. But, if I had more
people with me I would have no problem telling them, "These
seats are taken."
Were they English speaking? I've noticed that if people don't
speak the same language as each other they often consider
ignoring the other party OK. And if they were tourists, don't
tourists have the reputation for being a little ruder than
people who actually live in the area? (And, don't get your
knickers in a knot if you are precisely polite tourist, girls
and boys. I'm talking about a general reputation, not you.)
I sure hope it didn't ruin your day out.
#Post#: 72698--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: Songbird Date: December 28, 2021, 3:10 pm
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They weren’t speaking English to each other, I have no idea if
any of them spoke English.
And no, there were no other tables.
#Post#: 72706--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: Isisnin Date: December 29, 2021, 6:56 am
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I've been to other cultures where sitting at a table with
strangers is the norm and a couple of times it felt like it was
the norm not to acknowledge the other party at all. This culture
difference is one I don't recall reading about in a guidebook's
culture tips. We just realized it by observation and experience.
So perhaps they were tourists?
#Post#: 72714--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: NyaChan Date: December 29, 2021, 2:36 pm
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I think they should have at least acknowledged that you were at
the table, but if the table was big enough that their group
could sit down while still having room for you and your SO? It’s
too big a table for just two people to take up when there are no
other tables available to sit at.
#Post#: 72773--------------------------------------------------
Re: And speaking of tables …
By: LifeOnPluto Date: January 1, 2022, 10:24 pm
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Generally speaking, I'd say this was rude. The cynic in me
thinks that they were probably hoping you'd just get up and
relinquish the table to them.
However, given these facts:
[quote author=Songbird link=topic=2245.msg72698#msg72698
date=1640725827]
They weren’t speaking English to each other, I have no idea if
any of them spoke English.
And no, there were no other tables.
[/quote]
it could have been the case that they simply didn't know how to
ask (in English) if you'd mind sharing the table with them? And
depending on where they were from, it might be the norm to share
tables with strangers without asking.
That said, I'd also be annoyed in your shoes! Especially in
these COVID times when cases in many parts of the world are on
the rise again. I think you'd definitely have been fine in
telling them that this table was reserved, and asking them to
find somewhere else to eat.
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