Sitting with your partner at a business dinner

[LaPeste]

Last night, I went for a work dinner with my DW. It's her work. There are around 10 tables and it's a buffet dinner. My wife is currently on crutches and therefore unable to walk and hold a plate. Normal etiquette (I think, although not universal) is to not sit on the same table as your partner. Because of my DW's injury, I sat next to her, so I could offer to go and get food for her. She was quite annoyed with this.

WIBU to sit with my wife last night? Or was I being unreasonable because of the etiquette?

Did she not want you go and did you insist on coming?

No way would I go to a work event of my DH's and not sit next to him. I don't know anyone else and it'd be really awkward. If he wanted to network he could go on his own. If it's a working work thing then why invite family? If it's a social thing fair enough but then be social and sit together. Personally I think it's very weird to mix work and home life.

Did she not want you go and did you insist on coming?

She absolutely invited me. Had she not told me about it, I would have had no idea it was happening.

Couldn't you have just asked?
Darling, would you like me to sit next to you?
No.
Ok then.
Eady

silly cow, what would be the point in you networking?
I'm glad I don't have to put up with this crap. You were just being lovely,kind, considerate and helpful.
Let her manage on her own at home and go out networking.

I have never experienced the kind of networking 'do' you describe, OP, but I think your wife was still very rude to you. If she can't see you were trying to be thoughtful and helpful while she's on crutches (think herself lucky, my crutches are permanent and I gratefully accept every offer of help) then she comes across as very thoughtless or even self absorbed.

I can't imagine what happens at these networking events. Surely you get up and walk around? Not just talk to those who you happen to be sat with? I'm used to the Warrant Officers'/Sergeants' Mess do, where wives/partners/guests are treated impeccably.

She sounds like hard work

You both need to learn to communicate better.