MDR question???

When sharing a table with fellow cruisers in the MDR should a couple sit beside or across from each other? My husband and I always wonder if there is a protocol for this.

Not sure there is a protocol but, in our experience, couples usually sit next to each other.

Generally next to each other- at a large table for three or four couples we usually take different seats each evening to facilitate conversation with different couples.

No protocol...you can change seats nightly, if you want! If it's a round table, sit next to your spouse. If it's rectangular, all bets are off!

Depends which room key you pick out of the fishbowl!

We like to sit side-by-side in this setting. Unless we really know the people we're seated with, we definitely don't want to be split up around the table and would probably choose to eat elsewhere if forced to do so. We spend 200 nights a year apart from each other, so we want to be together when we can.

We like sitting at a large table, but will sit next to each other. Some couples like to share entrees (at least we sometimes will) and this makes it easier. Plus if one of you wants to leave the meal it's easier to whisper to your significant other that you want to make a show or head to the cabin.

Why not sit in a manner that is acceptable to you? If the other couple doesn't like it, change.:)

A couple of times we did tables for 6 -- we always sat next to each other.

When we did tables for 4 -- one evening we would on one side and then the next night reverse sides.

We have always sat beside each other, but that was just how we ended up not necessarily because of some type of rule. Do as you please and as the others at your table please.

Doesn't really matter but we often sat opporsite each other at a rectangle table and beside each other at a round table.

What is fun is if invited to dine at an Officer's table, most of the time the seating cards will be on the table when you arrive and you rarely will be seated beside your spouse/partner. They like to encourage conversation all around so a formal dinner will often have you seated apart from each other. :)

We like to sit next to each other while dining at large tables. We have also found that a lot of people try to claim "their seats" for the cruise. When we dine at a large table, we change seats each night. Sometimes, couples arrive and basically give you the stare like you just stole "their" seat.

We use anytime dining with no fixed tables. We also always share when we can. They always seat us next to each other because as other join the table it would be awkward to ask other to sit apart.

This always works out for us.

No protocol...you can change seats nightly, if you want! If it's a round table, sit next to your spouse. If it's rectangular, all bets are off!

Agree with the above.

Round tables are easy ... sit beside each other.

With rectangular tables it depends ... just go with what seems best at the time.

LuLu

Agree with the above.

Round tables are easy ... sit beside each other.

With rectangular tables it depends ... just go with what seems best at the time.

LuLu

If you are first to a rectangle table, sit across or beside, as you wish.

If you arrive after the others, obviously you will take the empty seats. :)

We like to sit next to each other while dining at large tables. We have also found that a lot of people try to claim "their seats" for the cruise. When we dine at a large table, we change seats each night. Sometimes, couples arrive and basically give you the stare like you just stole "their" seat.

That's a more interesting phenomenon than where couples sit to begin. Once that has been established on the first night, deviating from the seating after can cause discomfort. It is common in most settings, classrooms, offices, etc. people always taking the same place and being uncomfortable if it is disrupted.

We usually sit together, but on one cruise we had a long oval table for 10, and one couple decided they would sit apart, different ends of the table to get to know more people. So we did the same. Very interesting table mates, although one man had such a thick Scots accent, he was hard to understand. EM

We usually sit next to each other. But on one cruise, we had a table for 6 at a window. So, each night a different couple sat across from each other closest to the window. It seemed as fair as possible so everyone could enjoy looking at the sea. And my husband spotted a whale one night!

We like to mix it up. One time a waiter moaned cos we'd moved seats, but we like to chat to everyone and it's rude to talk across other people.

Another time one couple sat in the same seats every night so we would try to get there before them so we could swap things around

Depends on the cruise

Mostly people move around a bit so conversation shifts but half usually in same seats every night

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In a truly formal setting couples never sit together (the Red Book of Protocol--I was a Protocol Officer for 30 years... ) However, in today's world, where you seldom see your SO, it is perfectly proper to sit together. We sit together, but switch locations to get to talk to everyone at a 6-8 top (drives the waiters insane!)

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We like to sit next to each other while dining at large tables. We have also found that a lot of people try to claim "their seats" for the cruise. When we dine at a large table, we change seats each night. Sometimes, couples arrive and basically give you the stare like you just stole "their" seat.

We like to sit next to each other, but have been known to separate when we get to know the others to prevent having to talk around others. We also like to change seats, and actually had a couple complain we had taken "their" seats. And it was actually a friend. :eek: After that, they made sure they beat us to the table most nights! :D

Normally next to each other with DH on my left. At least until we figure out if our tablemates know the location of their OWN bread plate :p

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MonDreamr1. ROFL. How true.

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