Septemberbaby

In the Dating Etiquette thread, there's a discussion about restaurant seating.
Two people on a 'date' .. is it weird to sit on the same side of the table?

I think it is weird.. it look likes you're waiting for another couple to come and they stood you up.
Also, I like looking at someone when I'm talking to them.

Help enlighten me: Is it just me or is it weird when two people sit on the same side?

MBoyd

Okay this thread is obviously my fault!

As I said there, I find it more intimate. I don't have a problem looking at the girl when I speak to her. I also find it easier to hear the in a noisy restaurant. Every girl I have dated seems to like it. Even first dates. Of course 75% of my first dates in the past 10 years have been met first online and that already makes a person more comfortable to try something like this.

Now guy friends I wouldn't do this with, but I will sit next to them at a table instead of across sometimes.

Vibiana

The last date I had, the guy had such terrible table manners I found myself wishing he was at another TABLE, if not another restaurant preferably in another STATE. He shoveled food in his mouth as if he'd just been released from Auschwitz and sprayed bread crumbs all over the table because he talked with his mouth half full. Ugh.

Dr. Henry Jones, Jr.

same side

Matt

SUSAN: Hey, Jerry!

JERRY: Oh, hi Susan, George. You remember Sheila.

GEORGE: Oh, yes. Hello.

SHEILA: Hello. Won't you join us?

GEORGE: No, thanks.

SUSAN: Of course.

GEORGE: Yes. Well -- So, uh, sit on the same side at a booth, huh?

JERRY: Yeah. That's right. You got a problem?

GEORGE: I, uh, just think it's a little unusual. Two people to sit on one side...and leave the other side empty.

JERRY: Well, we're changing the rules.

GEORGE: Ahh. Good for you.

SUSAN: Aw, what are you getting George?

GEORGE: I don't know, honey. What do you want to get? [in babying voice] I want you to get anything you want...'cause I love you so much. I want you to be happy. Okay, sweetie?

SUSAN: Oh, George, you're so sweet.

GEORGE: Well, I could be a little sweetie tweetie weetie weetie.

SUSAN: Aww!

JERRY: What about you, shmoopy? How 'bout a little tuna? You want a little tuna fishy?

SHEILA: Yeah.

JERRY: Yum yum little tuna fishy?

GEORGE: Come here.

[George & Susan begin making out; Jerry & Sheila begin making out in order to keep up]

celmendo

If noisy, fine, otherwise weird.

MartinBlank

If you've bought the date, then you sit side by side

Minor Threat

I sit across from my wife when we go out - that way I can oogle at other chicks.....

antennaball

Definitely across for me. I don't care what kind of dynamic you're going for, I'm a firm believer that dinner is NOT the time to force intimacy....but that's just me.

Septemberbaby

See!! Even George thinks it's weird!! ::

Charlie Goose

Back to back.

10-7

So... have you set a wedding date yet?

Numanoid

Sitting side-by-side is the dining equivalent of having your shirt tails sticking out from under your sweater.

Charlie Goose

At least you're an optimist. A pessimist would've said his mouth was half empty.

Dave7393

Definately across.

If you want to see someone crash and burn when sitting "side by side," check out that scene from Fargo where Marge meets up for a little get together with her old classmate Mike (the Asian guy), and he tries to sit next to her in the booth.

10-7

Exactly. Now after dinner in a dark restaurant parking lot... umm nevermind.

Draven

My wife and I make fun of couples that sit side by side.

When I go out to eat with someone, I want to talk to them. Not turning my head every 5 seconds to see if they are listening.

gilbertr76

Definitely across from each other. The wifey would freak out if I tried sitting next to her at a booth when the childrens weren't with us...

DRG

How the hell are you supposed to get a hand job across the table?

MartinBlank

"You sucha nice lady!"

MartinBlank

Ask Sue Richards

Jericho

You have to sit across. If you sit side by side, the devil (who's under the table) will make you do naughty things.

Chrisedge

I started this exact same thread a few years ago as a poll.

Groucho

With a date, I sit across.

With a business colleague, I sit side-by-side.

andicus

I saw an elderly couple do this at a Burger King. I suppose it wasn't completely back to back. They sat where there are single bench seats at a 90 degree angle to each other (facing away), with a small table each. They ate their meal like that, and talked without looking at each other. He also was cutting up and eating a raw clove of garlic along with his burger. They sounded like they were Eastern European. Strangest thing...

Personally, if there are just 2 of us, it would definitely be across for me.