Table Crashers!!

[Minnie4me]

I am in no way judging you or your wife but I had to wonder why someone sitting next to you at a CS restaurant bothered you? Did they want to start a conversation and interrupt your meal, did they evesdrop on your private conversation? Past bad experience? WDW seems such a crowded place to visit for someone that is uncomfortable with tight crowds. Do you or your wife feel the same way standing in crowded lines and que areas for the rides?

Let me try to answer your questions....

On this past trip for example, the first offense (yes, I look at it as an offense) took place at the Fish & Chip's CS (Can't recall the name) outside of the Rose & Crown. The tables are round so we had to sit there looking right at them, and hearing their chatter while we were trying to enjoy our meal. Those two things alone would probably bother just about anybody. Not to mention that it is just rude to invite oneself to join you at meal time. Even though they ask, I still view it as inviting themselves.

As far as evesdropping on our private conversation, the fact that they were there basically forced us to limit our conversations because we didn't want them to listen in. It made us feel rushed to finish and leave.

As for past experiences....Yes, this has also happened on past trips. Didn't like it then either.

Ride queue's....my wife and I seldom get on the rides. She gets motion sickness. However, we aren't old fuddie duddies either (40's). We mainly get on slow rides such as Haunted Mansion, etc. The queue's don't bother us. We know there are line and we expect that. Lines are normal. People wanting to join you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner isn't. IMHO

I guess one thing that urk's me (for a lack of a better expression) is what I view to be a growing sense of "Entitlement" that a lot of people in todays society have. It "seems" that more and more people nowdays have no regard for other people and their space. I don't mean to come out cynical. I really am a very positive person. I just wish that manners and politeness would come back in style.

By the way...we were eating at a CS restaurant during our last visit and saw a father and daughter waiting for a table. We told them that they could sit with us, and they did.

Itry to be polite and show manners. I just don't think it is right for people to impose.

Whew...didn't mean to be so long winded.

By the way....I love reading everyone's comments. Very interesting.

[LizLovesDiz]

When we were looking for a table at the outside part of The Rose and Crown,this sweet little old couple waved for DH and I to join them at their table.We both thought that that was so sweet of them,but I would never just ask someone if I could sit with them,ewww thats just rude I think !

[jillluvsdisney]

I can be anti social , so I know where you are coming from. I would not have a problem shring my table with other people at all however. Being at Disney makes me open up a little bit and want to smile and talk to people. My Dad always strikes up conversations with people. Sometimes you meet and learn neat stuff abut other people.

[Deesdisney]

I am very shy and my dh loves our privacy. But this has never happened to us because I will not go during crowded tiimes. Another reason this would not happen because there always at least 5 or more people with us.

[AbeeNormal]

I'm not sure if we are aloud to mention names of stores but here goes..........

This sometimes happens at our local Costco and I do find myself inviting people to sit if we are at a large table with plenty of room because that's all there is. I have met some really neat people that way. Just feels neighborly when appropriate.

I do totally see where you are coming from though someone asking to join a small table would make me a little uncomortable as well, and I'm very outgoing. Not that your not either it just sounds as if you enjoy your solice.

[FLPasHldrs]

[QUOTE=Minnie4me;1449621]Let me try to answer your questions....


I guess one thing that urk's me (for a lack of a better expression) is what I view to be a growing sense of "Entitlement" that a lot of people in todays society have. It "seems" that more and more people nowdays have no regard for other people and their space. I don't mean to come out cynical. I really am a very positive person. I just wish that manners and politeness would come back in style.



I'm not sure what nationality this couple was, but there are some countries that don't know what personal space is. I've lived in Germany and England and it took some getting used to. People from all over the globe visit WDW and they bring their lifestyle with them. I have had two experiences where this has happened. First one was at the commissary at MGM. I was sitting at a 6 top (only thing available) waiting for my husband. A family of four, from India, sat down. Didn't ask and didn't speak a lick of english. I felt uncomfortable since I was sitting next to the wall. I just got up and moved to a smaller table that had opened up. It was probably rude, but my husband would have had to crawl over them to get to his seat. The second time was at Pinocchio's. An elderly couple asked if they could join us. We said sure, and ended up having a lovely conversation. They were there on their 50th wedding anniversary. They never had been there before and we were able to give them suggestions to make their trip more memerable.

[Jared]

I've never had anybody approach my family and ask to sit at our table. Taking the extra chairs is appropriate, but I wouldn't want anybody actually joining our group.

Sorry if I sound rude or unsocial, but the concept seems strange. I suppose if a small group is sitting at a very large table, it's fine to take the other end, but to intrude on somebody else's meal seems wrong.

[tinksmom02]

I've had people ask for the extra chairs at our table, but never to sit with us. Although, when we ate at Pinnochio's Village Haus, there were people literally hovering over the tables, standing over the people, watching them eat and waiting for them to finish their meals and leave, so they could take their tables. That was mighty uncomfortable.

The tables at the food court at my local mall are set up cafeteria-style, long rows of tables pushed together. I have no problem asking people sitting if they're using the other chairs when it's crowded, BUT I always try to leave at least one chair between them and me and DD.

[wendy*darling]

It looks like I am in the minority here. I do not mind this at all.
I guess it has happened to me about once or twice on every trip. Not much, but more often than in my "non-Disney everyday life."
I am not terribly outgoing, but I do try to smile at people and if they start a conversation I will respond in kind. I have had many enjoyable conversations in a ride queue or at a CS table at WDW with total strangers.

I have also found that most people who have asked to share my table do seem to be from other countries. Not always, but more than half the time.
And at very busy times, I have asked to share a table with others.

There's kind of a dance that occurs first.
I would never barge in on a family who appeared to be deep in conversation. But when they are eating and looking around- you kind of catch their eye- you can tell if it's OK to ask. Same thing if I am at the table and I see others looking for a seat. If I catch their eye- they may ask, or I may smile and invite them. But we've already made the connection.

But I do know it does not always happen like this. People from some other countries- and even from some busy US cities- are very comfortable sitting where there is an open seat. No need to ask. Like getting on a bus or commuter train in the morning rush. It's every man for himself. I liken it to that kind of mind set.

I understand that many Americans feel the need to have their "space" and sharing a table at a meal violates that space.
So I also think it's OK to say no if you don't want someone to sit with you.

[#1donaldfan]

We love meeting new people and learning about different places and culture. Before the kids, and while in the military, we traveled all around the world, visited numerous different countries. Personally, while eating, I would feel "out of pocket", but if someone asked I'd say sure, why not?? I don't think I'd do it, I can't see asking someone who's eating, "can I use your table too?" I feel like you miss out on so much if you don't stick you head out of the shell once in awhile. I dare say everyone we've met at Disney was because of not being "shy" or intraverted.

[garymacd]

I would never just plunk myself down at someone else's table without asking.

Common courtesy says you should ask if the space is free and ask if the people would mind sharing. Miss Manners would be rolling over in her grave, if she was dead.

Like others, I would never do this unless space was at a premium. Usually, we look for little old ladies sitting alone at the mall and ask if we could join her. We have had some great conversations with these old girls and loved every minute of it.

On an unrelated note, I can't believe how many people posted in this thread stating they love going to Disney alone with just their beloved spouse and enjoying their togetherness. I thought that was just my beloved and me!

[conorsmom2000]

I've never even thought about this type of thing happening!

I definitely would be annoyed if someone just sat down - but, if they asked, I would probably say yes. Mike and I are definitely private people (anti-social depends on the situation) though, I guess we're both a little more outgoing on vacation as it's kind of "well, we'll never see them again anyway...." I also come from a large family so I'm more used to various unexpected people at dinner! I don't know - it would really depend on the situation. If it was one of those times where we are all exhausted and in desperate need of some Disney down time, I'd definitely be more hesitant about it. Personally, though, I can't imagine myself asking anyone if we could share their table - that would just seem odd.

[GrmGrninGost]

How strange! I would be most upset under these circumstances. My family and I go to WDW ( and other places) to be together, to interact as a family. I cannot imagine sharing our table with strangers who were not invited. To my mind, that is the epitomy of rudeness! I was raised to believe time at the table is family time. Even at WDW, that is the one time you can sit down, relax and talk about what has happened and plan for later. I hope this never happens to us! In all my trips to WDW I've never seen it crowded enough that I would think anyone would have to sit at another families table. I've had to wait maybe 5 minutes before, but something always opens up. I don't think I'm unsociable, but I am private about my meals.

[KODABEAR]

DH and I will invite people looking for table's during busy times to sit with us. We've met some wonderful people!

[LibertyTreeGal]

Not meaning to be unkind, but if it was just me and DH at a large table and it was crowded, I would just have the expectation of myself to share it. I often, when sitting at a larger table (I only do it when nothing else is available), will be looking at people going by with trays and ask if they need someplace to sit.

I have carried trays with my twin boys in tow and seen two people sitting at tables meant for more, who have long since finished eating, and it is very frustrating when your kids are hungry. Not saying you were doing that, but this world is big enough for everyone and I don't expect to be alone unless I am actually paying for the table

[bleukarma]

If I were sitting at a big table and there were tons of extra seats and it was crowded then I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But if it was a small table then I would probably like to enjoy my privacy with my family more. I would never ask though, I’m just not that type of outgoing person.

[TheDuckRocks]

Our first trip to WDW we went to the Fountainview Cafe and I just zipped up on my ECV to a table and plopped myself and hubby down with this complete couple of strangers..........Oh! wait a minute that was Marilyn Michette from here at Intercot and her husband Tom. If any of you ever get a chance to meet them, do so. They are every bit as nice as she is in her posts.
I talk to everyone! I talk to people at parades, on the buses, boats and monorails, while standing in lines, while sitting at shared tables at restaurants like the Biergarten. OK, you get the idea I really like people in general and am not very shy.
If somebody just came and sat down at my table during a meal without asking, I would not be a happy camper. If they asked if they could sit I would have no problem, I'd love to have you join us.
One of my biggest "I'm to shy" regrets was a couple of years ago at LLT there was a couple there with their son who I just knew was Conorsmom/Jen and I didn't go up and ask her if it was. Seeing pictures of them later I found out I should have gone with my gut feeling....it was them.
Would I ever, ever ask anyone else if I could share their table? No.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I've had this happen to me a couple of times at the food court at the mall back home, but never at Disney!

I hated it back home too...didn't like people plunking themselves down beside me, just felt too close, and I felt like we had to be careful what we said and how we said it. Not fun!

Now, we've been at large outdoor events, where they have HUGE long tables...when we sit down, we try and leave enough room between us and the other groups. Any meal time is a "family" time for us...

[RobWreck]

Darn, I guess that I must have missed something with the DDP. I didn't realize that it actually gave you a possessory interest in 'your table' that allowed you to exclude other people from using unused space. Seriously though, while it's rude to just 'plop down' without asking permission, at a counter service restaurant those seats are intended for the use of all the guests there. Some people have raised 'how rude' it is for people to 'invite themselves' to sit down at 'their table'. Instead, how about looking at how presumptuous it is and what sort of overdeveloped sense of self-importance people have to hold it against othes looking to utilize unused limited resources provided for their convenience? For people that are so anti-social that they can't share common space provided for all guests' usage, perhaps they should be the ones who wait for 'a table for 2' (or the appropriate number) to open up instead of taking one that can accommodate more people. Then they get their privacy and their insecurity issues don't intrude on other guests rights to fair usage of the facilities.
Rob
(Always willing to help out when he can...)

[vicster]

When you're on vacation at WDW how can you let anything bother you? IMOI think the rudeness is when you don't offer extra space at your table when other people are waiting for one. I understand you want your privacy (and there's plenty of time for that) but put yourself in others' shoes. What if you're the one waiting for a table and someone offerred to share theirs with you? That's happened to me many times and I enjoyed great conversations with them. I guess you don't like to eat at Biergarten where you actually share a table with strangers. We've met many nice people there.

I also saw a lot of rudeness on busses when we were there last month. People would actually let a woman holding a young child stand and try to hold onto her child and a railing rather than offer her their seat.