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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is a weird place to sit

120 replies

IzzieStevens · 30/07/2022 12:32

If you’re eating alone in a fast food restaurant, which is relatively empty, would you choose to sit in the ‘booth’ next to another person - but on the opposite side so you’re looking at each other while you’re eating?

OP posts:
mam0918 · 30/07/2022 17:34

yeah you made it sound like they where IN your booth.

Them sat in another booth is 100% normal and fine, why do you think you have a monopoly on the booths?

InFiveMins · 30/07/2022 17:44

You're weird for thinking this is weird.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 30/07/2022 17:47

Your diagram makes your view even weirder, sorry!

They're at a totally different booth and there's seats separating you!

Ignoranceisbliss44 · 30/07/2022 17:50

I would say that's absolutely fine. When I first read it I thought you meant the same booth, which would have been odd, but a separate booth close by would be no issue at all. It's a public eating place!

On a side not, what I can never do personally is sit in the window seat, right by and facing the window in full view of everyone passing by. It's just the thought of someone saying "Oh look! There's L stuffing her face with a burger!". 😂

NameChanger567 · 30/07/2022 17:53

If they sat in the same booth and the restaurant was empty, then that is very weird. If it was a different booth, then it is not weird imo

ODFOx · 30/07/2022 17:57

Were you wearing a shirt and matching cap that said 'don't you turn your back on me MF!' ?

If not, a bit odd, but unless they stared at you with a rictus grin you're probably OK.

Justcallmebebes · 30/07/2022 17:57

That's like someone sitting right next to you on an empty bus. Weird

TessoftheDobermans · 30/07/2022 17:59

I think I'm with you on this one, OP. I'd have felt uncomfortable too.

You said that each time you looked up you inadvertently caught his eye & felt uncomfortable - so he must have been already looking at you? So he either (a) fancied you a bit & hoped to catch your eye or (b) didn't fancy you but wanted to make you feel uncomfortable or (c) didn't realise what he'd done till it was too late, and felt uncomfortable too

tenyrsago · 30/07/2022 18:04

Yeh after your updates about them not sitting at the same table as you, you’re the weird one

Topseyt123 · 30/07/2022 18:21

They're not even at the same table! Your OP made it sound as if they had come to sit directly at your table.

Sitting at a different table is fine, not remotely weird.

Sitting at your table would be weird, creepy and maybe somewhat intimidating.

It is a total non-issue.

QueSyrahSyrah · 30/07/2022 18:34

You say the window was behind him, so he just sat facing into the room as many people (me included) and would do? I'm afraid you're the odd one here OP, firstly for even noticing, and secondly for giving it so much as a second thought.

iklboo · 30/07/2022 18:36

That's like someone sitting right next to you on an empty bus. Weird

No it's not. They were at a completely separate booth and all the two-person tables were taken.

deedledeedledum · 30/07/2022 18:40

@BigChesterDraws The worst people are those who take the toilet cubicle next to you when there are a dozen empty cubicles.
Cubicle doors usually look closed even when vacant. You have to look to see a little green or red indicator or push in the door to see if it's free. I don't go along checking who is in which and which is free as that would be very strange behaviour. I just pick the first available and if it happens to be next to some one then so be it. I haven't a clue if every cubicle is used or empty. How do you know?

SD1978 · 30/07/2022 18:47

You took a booth because there were few 2 seater tables available. He did the same? I choose where to sit based on is it away from the door, away from big groups of kids (if I'm on my own) not too much light, etc. I wouldn't assume someone sat down opposite for any other reason than they needed somewhere to eat.

Electriq · 30/07/2022 18:53

I wouldn't have even noticed them to be honest, not strange at all

Whatdayisittodayhelp · 30/07/2022 19:12

🤣🤣🤣🤣 there’s some right crackers on here. If you felt that uncomfortable why didn’t you move? Would it be incase he thought you were weird?

MichelleScarn · 30/07/2022 19:25

iklboo · 30/07/2022 18:36

That's like someone sitting right next to you on an empty bus. Weird

No it's not. They were at a completely separate booth and all the two-person tables were taken.

Exactly, it'd be like someone getting on at the next bus stop than you and sitting in an empty seat near you!

Sandysandwich · 30/07/2022 20:01

They sat as far away from you as they could, within the tables, its a sensible place to sit, you are the one being a bit weird.
Just scoot down so you are not directly opposite them if you want, or nip to the loo and sit back on the opposite seat.
It's not a big deal

Hmm1234 · 31/07/2022 18:12

If you were both eating alone maybe they fancied you lol

exaltedwombat · 31/07/2022 18:18

Perhaps the waiter put her there to save their feet!

Perhaps the other person was short of cash and hoped you'd leave some food on your plate which they could then snaffle! There's one cafe I go to where I could eat very well on what I see disgracefully thrown away!

Our party was once seated close to a very noisy child. Plenty of tables available, but when we politely asked to move, 'that section isn't open'. Ah well, life goes on.

Redshell1976 · 31/07/2022 18:31

If they sat in your booth I would think it was weird. Otherwise I wouldn’t give it any thought, I have ate alone many times before I was married and I just sat where I felt comfy.

Nadjamydarling · 31/07/2022 18:33

Weird indeed. I'd move or just look at them with a raised eyebrow 🤣. I was in the cinema once, just me and my husband and it was just us and some bloke came in and sat right behind us?! The he kept clearing his throat so my husband turned around and asked if he was doing it to get our attention and wanted something, weirdo man said could we move our heads over a bit?! We burst out laughing pointing out we were seated first, it wasn't booked seat numbers so he could move and sit elsewhere but he said he wanted that seat only. We moved and he looked really offended. Bonkers. 🤣

Aprilx · 31/07/2022 18:42

IzzieStevens · 30/07/2022 14:20

Just to clarify - adjacent booth, not the same booth.

I took a booth because there were only a few two person tables and they were all taken - the booths typically seat 4 but there were only about 10 people in the restaurant in total.

Well then no, of course it is not weird. 🤨

CluelessHamster · 31/07/2022 18:53

Well he wasn't exactly doing anything wrong but I wouldn't have picked that spot myself (I'd have sat with my back to you) and would have felt a bit awkward about the accidental eye contact if I glanced up while taking a mouthful of burger!

I hate it when I stop at a services and drive to the far end of the car park to eat my food in peace and some bugger pulls up next to me when there are loads of other spaces they could have gone in.

Loics · 31/07/2022 18:55

I don't think I'd notice, I'd be focused on my food and not the other person. To be honest, I find it weirder to be so concerned about the other person sitting facing you. 🤷‍♀️

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