The Bench Dilemma

[OutTheWayOut]

You enter a park on your lunch break and want to sit down.
Every bench has one person already sitting on it. No empty benches.

Which bench do you choose, and why?
What influences your decision - person on their phone? If they are eating?
Do you ask before sitting, make an apologetic comment, or just sit down?
Or do you decide it’s all too awkward and stand/walk/leave?

What are my options? Who's already on the benches?

Sun on a cold day, shade on a hot day, occupant irrelevant (unless they’re drinking lager from a can).

I'd sit next to a woman who is reading or scrolling on her phone.

I would definitely sit down. I'd look for someone quiet who looked occupied.

I’d go for this as well

I probably wouldn't sit down. If I HAD to choose someone it would be a woman reading, looking at phone or with a pet. I would not sit beside someone eating or on a phone call.

I would sit next to someone who was in their own little world, be it on their phone or reading. I would just want a seat and have no interest in interacting with them.

I’d sit on whichever bench was in the spot I like most. I wouldn’t be bothered by the other person unless it looked like they’d talk to me (rare) or be smelly (eating a burger, vaping etc).

If I was on a bench & someone sat next to me & started eating, I’d move.

Knowing that, I wouldn’t do it to someone else, so I’d sit on the grass or go elsewhere.

I’d sit on a bench where someone was sitting at the end. They’re probably expecting to share the bench. I’d also find one in a nice spot. Unless someone was acting aggressive (glaring at people, having an angry conversation) it wouldn’t bother me who it was. Just like sitting next to someone on a bus or a train.

Preferably someone on a phone, sitting right at the end of a bench, as they would be likely to get up soon.

Anyone that looked looney tunes I'd give a miss and smokers,brown bags bottle drinkers.👍😁

I’d weed out anybody who was smoking/vaping/Drinking alcohol/looked homeless/looked crazy (yes I know you often can’t tell, but often you can strongly suspect!)

I’d sit on the same bench as anybody else but if there was a choice of candidates I’d prefer a reading woman to anybody else.

I'd bypass the bench with the dried splatty bird poo.

I’d not sit next to the nutter.

however, even with this in mind they still find me