SPECIAL FEATURES:
Email
Are you a same-sider?
If you sit on the same side of the table at a restaurant with your significant other, you might be creeping others out.
Mon, Jan 14 2013 at 1:51 PM
Related Topics:
Photo by Shutterstock
Serious Eats has a post titled Secrets from the Host Stand: 10 Things a Restaurant Host Wishes They Could Tell You. If you dine out frequently, it’s worth a read, but it’s not to be taken too seriously. As a former waitress and as a frequent restaurant-goer, I find some of the items ridiculous.
I particularly laughed at the anonymous host who said, “Remember that they call you a 'guest' for a reason. Act as such.” I’ve always found the term guest for restaurant customers silly. A guest, in the true sense of the word, does not pay. When someone is a guest at my dinner table, they don’t pay for their meal. And the fact that the guests are given a “check” and not a “bill” cracks me up, too. A check, in the true sense of the word, is money you’re given. A bill tells what you owe.
When I’m at a restaurant, I behave like a paying customer, not a guest. I’m polite. I’m considerate of the workers in the restaurant and the people around me. But, according to the Serious Eats post and many of the comments from readers, there’s one thing my husband and I do while at a restaurant that others might not find considerate.
We are, apparently, “same-siders.”
"Same-siders" are what some call the lovey-dovey guests that sit on the same side of their two-top rather than across from each other. Aside from the fact that this can crowd valuable banquette seating, making other guests uncomfortable, it usually indicates a much longer table time, as couples like this tend to be more excited to gaze longingly into other's eyes than at the pork chop in front of them.
Now, let me get something straight, we don’t sit on the same side of a two-top. That wouldn’t be comfortable and probably would be inconsiderate of the guests at the table next to us. But, if we’re seated at a four top, we often sit on the same side of the table. It’s so much more conducive to intimate conversation. And when I say intimate conversation, I don’t (necessarily) mean bedroom conversation. I mean in-depth conversation that two people with demanding jobs, two kids, community responsibilities, and everything else that comes along with life are able to have when they are out on a date and leave the rest of their responsibilities behind for a few hours.
Do we stay a little longer than some other customers? Possibly, but we also understand that if we linger at a table, we should tip accordingly. Do we sit close? Sure. Do we sometimes have small public displays of affection? Yes. Because of this, according to many of the people who commented, we are “just creepy” and “awkward for everyone else to be around.”
So I have some questions for you. Do you find “same-siders” creepy? Do you even notice people who sit on the same side of the table when they could be sitting across from each other? Or, are you like my husband and me, members of the offending “same-siders” club?
My newfound knowledge that people find the practice of sitting on the same side of the table to be creepy will in no way change my habit, but I’m truly curious about what others think of “same-siders.”
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.
You might also like:
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
EDITORS' PICKS
Advertisement
TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON
- Spanish town sends dog poop back to irresponsible pet owners
- 15 famous people who mysteriously disappeared
- Too beautiful to be real? 16 surreal landscapes found on Earth
- 13 natural remedies for the ant invasion
- Henry Cavill's 'Man of Steel' workout video
- 5 mind-bending facts about dreams
- 5 ways walking is better than running
- 10 false facts most people think are true
- Yurts: Everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask
- 7 surprising things Pope Francis has done in his first 100 days
From our sponsor
NEWSLETTER
ABOUT Robin Shreeves
Stay-at-home mom on eco-friendly food options.
Advertisement
Sitting on the same side of the table provides my wife and I the opportunity t make comments about the other diners. We have the same view. It's not that we make fun of other people, we create stories about how the people met, what they're talking about, etc. It's all in fun and no one gets hurt. Then of course we talk about us too.
Same - siders unite! There is no reason for us to be considered creepy when we what we do is conducive to our relationship, and at the same time truly not offensive. I encourage other couples to practice this particular situation, if they truly value their relationship. For other people to have any comments that are anything other than positive, just makes them jealous that they don't have the same intimacy or love in their relationship.
There are all kinds of things that might be good for your relationship which should not be carried out in public.
My wife will occasionally sit next to me at a restaurant table if she wants to see a ballgame on tv. Otherwise, we generally sit across from each other. We are not offended, disturbed, or otherwise piqued by what other couples are doing (short of public sex acts).
I agree with bowtie blotto. My wife and I occasionally sit on the same side as well. Does it mean we are creepy? Absoultely not. If anybody is offended then the offended person really needs to get a life. Really???
this is so funny because my sister once told me that a man wanting to sit on the same side while at a restaurant meant that he was madly in love with you.
Pages