This.
i sit across.:dubious:
That answer above applies to large tables. Maybe two tables pushed together. It occurs to me that at smaller tables – room for one chair per side – we’ll often sit 90 degrees.
With my honey, if the tables are so far across that we can’t reach over to hold hands or hear each other better than we can hear the people around us, it just makes sense to sit next to each other. Many places can’t accomodate 90 degrees because of the table arrangement but that would be better than across.
Anywhere in a corner or against a wall where one of us would sit facing said wall and the other into the room, or where we are watching a game on TV, demands side by side dining. We both hate facing the wall in a room full of people.
With friends on the other hand, across or 90 degrees.
My husband and I do sit side-by-side sometimes, if the booth is a larger one. I don’t notice any difference in how easy it is to converse. Side-by-side feels more intimate, and that can be nice when we’re feeling romantic.
I didn’t vote because we do both, and that’s not an option.
This. I sit at their elbow so we don’t have to shout at each other. This applies whether it’s a date or a friend of either gender. In a booth, we sit across.
Count me as someone who prefers to sit side-by-side because it’s more intimate and I like touching my wife’s legs or thighs between courses. I also enjoy speaking with the chef across the counter about the course being served, and I also get to watch them do their craft. For certain types of cuisine, (such as sushi or kappo), I will not visit unless they have counter seating. Even when we sit at a table, we will sit at an “L” to each other.
I think the only time we sit across from each other is at home or at a round table, (unless we’re in Europe, then we sit next to each other under the canopy). Or if the restaurant has one long bench across a wall and the only seating arrangement is to be across from each other.
Almost always across, unless I’m in a particularly “lovey-dovey” relationship stage. Sometimes the same side for a change or if we’re looking at papers/photos/whatnot.
Yes. With my love, I prefer to sit kitty-korner. Friends? Across.
90° if possible, otherwise across.
When you are sitting across from each other, your only choices are to stare at your plate, gaze longingly into your companion’s eyes, or stare at their plate. I very much like to be aware of what’s going on around me at all times (maybe that’s why in the airplane thread I was almost the only person who noticed that FAs swap places with pilots when the pilot goes into the restroom). Sitting at a 90° angle lets you naturally see what’s going on without having to turn your head but still lets you see your companion with just a slight turn. It seems so rude to be making an effort to turn away from someone you are with.
It also cuts down on the awkwardness when there is a lull in the conversation. You don’t have to stare at each other with nothing to say.
And 90° makes it easier to hear or share something to look at (like the menu, a document, a book, your doodle on the napkin, whatever).
I have no problems at all looking around, even if seated opposite my dining companion. Not during the entire meal, mind you, but if there’s a lull in the conversation, I’ll do a little people-watching.
I was lunching with my mom and we had a table next to the window. We were facing each other, but we both spent some time watching the happenings on the street. I didn’t consider it to be rude at all - in fact, we pointed things out to each other.
I prefer 90-degrees with anyone and across if that isn’t available. With kitty-corner it’s usually easier to hear, and I can talk in my normal-volume voice (I can be a quiet talker); and I can lean in a little if I can’t fully hear my companion. Two people on one side of a table in public just looks weird to me.
This. If it’s just me and my wife, or a family member or reasonably close friend, sitting on adjacent sides of a square table seems most natural. (If it’s someone I don’t know very well, I’ll sit opposite. Sitting closer than necessary with someone you don’t know very well feels weird.)
But if the only options are on the same side or opposite sides, then opposite, always.
The only time for side by side is at a bar/counter. In a booth it’s always across, & at a 4-top 90° or possibly across, though 90° is closer so it’s easier to converse/share something to look at, especially if noisy.
It was only a few years ago that I saw a couple on the same side of a booth for the first time. It was weird looking. We were at a restaurant near Williamsburg, VA & a few couples were doing it so I thought it was a local/regional thing.
With friends and family always across but my Girlfriend likes to side next to each other so if it’s a table for four very often that’s what we do.
A couple years ago I switched to side by side. We can cuddle more and it’s much easier for people watching. I hate having my back to the room, I want to see the action.
We like to sit side by side in a booth where there is a continuous bench along the wall. We also like to share a corner at a 90º angle, where feasible. More often than not, the seating for two that we get is only set up for 180º face to face, so we’ll accept that. Our choices are pretty much determined by wherever the maître d’ chooses to stick us.
ETA: I just cast a vote for side by side.
Side by side. It makes hand jobs less awkward.
Depends on the configuration.
Bar or one sided seating only: you have no choice but to sit side by side, but I’ll try to position myself on a curve so you’re at least angled towards your partner.
Booth: across from your partner. That’s a little to awkward to both sit on one side of the booth.
Square 4 top: 90 degrees, rarely across from partner unless it causes less of a traffic jam by doing so.
Yup.