Miss Manners question

[stag]

Here is a diasgram of table for 4 in the dining room:

 

A B

--------

| Table |

--------

C D

 

On the first night of dining, when the first couple show up, should they take AB or AC or BD? Please do not suggest they swap seats later. What if

1. AC and BD sides are aisles?

2. AC side is wall and BD side is aisle?

3. AC side is window (ocean view) and BD side is aisle?

[LHT28]

DH & I usually sit side by side

 

We prefer anytime dining so no problem where we sit each night ;)

[Keith1010]

Four person table:

 

Side by side.

 

Keith

[K&RCurt]

If we are there first, side by side. If we are there second, we just go with the flow.

 

At least with a 4 top set up that way no one takes my bread plate!!!!

[Keith1010]

Side by side.

 

Keith

[LHT28]

 

At least with a 4 top set up that way no one takes my bread plate!!!!

 

:D:D how true

[Clarea]

Side by side.

[Keith1010]

Side by side.

 

Now if it three of you that is a different story.

 

Keith

[SuiteTraveler]

Side by side.

[LHT28]

Side by side.

 

Now if it three of you that is a different story.

 

Keith

now what if there is only 1 of you ???

 

:)

Edited February 26, 2016 by LHT28

[Langley Cruisers]

We sit side by side.

 

Curious as to why you are asking, though? :)

[Suze10860]

Him, we must be odd-couple out. I'm pretty sure we would sit across from each other. At least that's what we do when we go out with friends. To me, it seems more natural to be looking at my husband, rather than next to him.

 

And if we were first, we'd probably take AC - not because of window or view. We would do that in a regular restaurant without the ocean outside!!

[sail7seas]

Either way is fine.

A couple would not be rude to choose to side beside each other or across from each other if there are to be four people at the table.

 

If you have reason to think there will only be three people at the table, the couple usually would sit side by side.

[sail7seas]

Side by side.

 

Now if it three of you that is a different story.

 

Keith

 

I went out to dinner last week with a couple who have been my late DH and my friends for decades. We all entered the restaurant together, I chose to stand back and let them choose the seats they wanted at the four top. They chose to sit with one on each side of the table but not opposite each other and I sat beside the other lady. I was facing the gentleman and his wife was beside me facing the empty chair.... that would have been my DH's. It was their choice to sit that way.

 

Edited February 26, 2016 by sail7seas

[sail7seas]

How would you sit if it was a four top round table with a couple and a single?

 

Would it matter if the single was a man vs woman?

[OCruisers]

If we are there first, side by side. If we are there second, we just go with the flow.

 

At least with a 4 top set up that way no one takes my bread plate!!!!

 

This is true! It amazes me how some don't know which bread plate is theirs.

 

When our daughter was about five, we had her seated between us at table for 10. All of a sudden she yelled out, "Dad, that woman next to you took your bread plate!"

Embarrassing! :o

We just told her there were plenty of bread plates for everyone and sort of smiled and let it pass and changed the subject quickly.

Later, told her that it was bad manners to make a comment if some used the wrong bread plate or was eating with the wrong fork, etc.

 

LuLu

[sail7seas]

This is true! It amazes me how some don't know which bread plate is theirs.

 

When our daughter was about five, we had her seated between us at table for 10. All of a sudden she yelled out, "Dad, that woman next to you took your bread plate!"

Embarrassing! :o

We just told her there were plenty of bread plates for everyone and sort of smiled and let it pass and changed the subject quickly.

Later, told her that it was bad manners to make a comment if some used the wrong bread plate or was eating with the wrong fork, etc.

 

LuLu

 

Before we cruised so much, I never realized how many people could not keep straight which was their bread plate/which was their water glass. The only reason I ever cared was if I reached for my water glass and found the stranger seated beside me was drinking from it. :D It was awkward to ask the steward for another glass but what is one to do?

 

[Clarea]

Before we cruised so much, I never realized how many people could not keep straight which was their bread plate/which was their water glass. The only reason I ever cared was if I reached for my water glass and found the stranger seated beside me was drinking from it. :D It was awkward to ask the steward for another glass but what is one to do?

 

Funny.:)

[cb at sea]

We always sit across from each other, if we are the only 2 at the table! Most 4-tops have one chair on each side...so we would sit on one corner, and leave the other corner for the others!

 

In a set up like your diagram, if we KNEW the others, we'd probably sit across from each other, and the other woman would sit next to me, and the man next to hubby, so there could be 2 conversations.....if we didn't know the other couple, and your diagram was how the chairs were, we'd sit side by side.....

[Keith1010]

now what if there is only 1 of you ???

 

:)

 

More food and drink. :)

 

And one place setting. :)

 

Keith

[trish1c]

If the table is next to a window, sit side by side. That way both couples get some ocean view.

 

If the table is next to a wall, you can chose to sit across from each other on the inside or side by side. Don't sit across from each other on the outside so the other couple has to climb over you.

 

If the entire table has aisles on either side, sit however you want.

 

As for knowing which is your water & which is your bread, I was taught this trick: Make the OK sign with both hands (thumb & forefinger together forming a circle & other fingers straight up). You will notice that your left hand looks like a b. That is the side of your bread plate. Your right hand looks like a d. That is the side of your drink (water).

Edited February 26, 2016 by trish1c

[98Charlie]

We always sit side by side regardless of whether it is a square 4 top, rectangle, round or booth. If there is a view involved we will normally offer to switch up every other night or at the midpoint of the cruise.

 

RE: bread plate. Dry (bread, salad) to the left, wet (drinks) to the right. But nobody teaches that anymore.

[Keith1010]

Thank goodness the wait staff knows where to put everything.

 

Being a lefty it is always a bit confusing for me.

 

But that is another discussion.

 

Such as wine glass on the right, but that does't help a lefty.

 

Keith

[GUT2407]

Really whatever floats your boat, I prefer Mrs Gut next to me.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Here is a diasgram of table for 4 in the dining room:

 

A B

--------

| Table |

--------

C D

 

On the first night of dining, when the first couple show up, should they take AB or AC or BD? Please do not suggest they swap seats later. What if

1. AC and BD sides are aisles?

2. AC side is wall and BD side is aisle?

3. AC side is window (ocean view) and BD side is aisle?

 

 

 

When we used to sit at tables for 4 -- we sat side by side.

One night we would sit together on one side and then the next night we would sit on the other side of the table. That way both couples had a chance to see towards the bow and the stern.