Restaurant tables: How close is too close?

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  Posted by Ashley Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:23pm PDT

  Sometimes it can be kinda fun and cozy being packed like sardines into a tiny little restaurant with everyone talking on their cell phones, babies crying, people bumping into your table. Pair that with bad service, crappy food and an expensive tab and you got yourself the ultimate dining experience........NOT!!!!!!!!!! If I can smell the garlicky breathe of some fat business man to my right it's too close!!

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  Posted by Beth Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:33pm PDT

  Depends on the quality of the food and the size of their space. For instance, if it's a small place but they have insanely good food, I'm willing to put up with just about anything. But if the restaurant is average size and it seems like tables are close just so they can get more customers in and/or if the food is only so-so, then I'd likely be peeved about being crammed in.

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  Posted by bigjohn48 Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:42pm PDT

  If you can here two complete strangers conversation, it to freakin close!!!!

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  Posted by Jerbizzle Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:20am PDT

  If you are single and there are cuties next to you this can be awesome. In a relationship or not so cute folks next to you, not so fun. The rule of thumb, if you are playing scrabble at your table, the table next to you shouldn't be able to read your letters!

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  Posted by Beth Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:35am PDT

  I like my personal space. there needs to be at least a foot buffer between my table and the ones surrounding it. Otherwise I would start to feel a little clausterphobic.

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  Posted by Syrman Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:58am PDT

  I like conversation with a nice dinner out so I like alot of space. I don't want to hear another tables conversation or, worse yet, have to shout over another conversation to be heard by the people with me. I do understand that the more tables you pack in the more money the restarant makes but there are some places that have taken that to an extreme. I ate at a restaurant last week and I could hardly get to my table because I had to navigate through and around all the other packed-in tables. And, of course, we had a "loud-talker" at the table next to us. It got so bad that the manager had to ask her to quiet down or leave.

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  Posted by Tracy Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:02pm PDT

  Currently I am living in Germany and it is not uncommon to share a table with total strangers. Being polite to each others and conversation is usually struck even with language barriers. As an American I understand our desire for privacy. However, discovering the different cultures has made me confortable with dining with stranger, and as a bonus I get to learn more of the German language.

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  Posted by Rissa D Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:30pm PDT

  It depends on the environment.. For example, I've been to a lot of Japanese restaurants where you are seated at one large table with total strangers. The idea is to get you to open up and talk to different people. But that's a Japanese restaurant and I understand it.. if I'm going to cheeeburges and fries, I don't want to be on someone's lap.

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  Posted by Jen Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:37pm PDT

  How about bumping elbows with your neighbor table at the Cheesecake Factory? Can we say uncomfortable?

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  Posted by Johanna Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:29pm PDT

  I'm claustrophobic, so I avoid those kind of situations. If I do go to a restaurant I go during the hours when I know very few people will be there. Let's ban the sardine ways until we get spaced seating!!!!!!

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