To not want to sit at a tAble with strangers for an intimate meal?

[LilacWriter]

My partner used to be really good at booking things but lately has got lazy with it. So this weekend I said, please book somewhere

He has and it's a nice looking restaurant with a tasting menu. The issue is you have to sit at a long table with random strangers. On the one hand, this already makes me feel uncomfortable. On the other, I don't want to discourage him from booking places now he's taking initiative!

YABU - suck it up and enjoy the experience
YANBU - choose somewhere else

@LilacWriter ive been there three times and although I’m not an introvert I’ve never shared more than 2/3 words with the people sitting either side of us.
It’s amazing food and a great treat. The food should hopefully take your mind off your crazy week.

Cancel it. Book things yourself in future if you want everything to be like you expect.

Go - and then finish of with a drink in a cozy pub corner somewhere else after. Sorted!

If I wanted an intimate meal I’d stay in.

Don't say "book whatever" and then complain.
I'd be irritated too if you did that to me

I'm pleasantly surprised by how many people have been and enjoyed the evening! Great to hear

I admit the food does look great.

I will probably not 100% love the seating but I might ask for an end of table if necessary. I'm definitely going to go now.

It wasn't incompetent. He didn't fail, or do anything wrong. She asked him to book, and he did.

'Weaponised incompetence' is a lovely phrase though, and I can see why you were so eager to type it.

Hardly! It’s a superb restaurant and choice.

It’s far from that, he’s booked a fabulous place.

he may not realise the ops social anxiety stretches so far and even includes sharing tables.

I wouldn't get upset but if you don't fancy it just say that you're so grateful for him taking the initiative but you really hoped to be seated just the two of you and can he find an alternative?

I personally wouldn't fancy this either, I'd feel awkward and uncomfortable the whole meal. I'd ask him to change it.

I was wondering if thus was Edinburgh. I've been to The Table in Edinburgh which is a similar concept and it was absolutely brilliant. We made friends with some lovely Norwegian ladies who were on their holidays.

Really looking forward to the update about the good, OP!

I am envious.

You’re not really talking to the others though. We did this on sat night and I couldn’t even tell you what the other guests looked like.

this isn’t our experience at all. If the people next to us came expecting to make some friends and get all chatty then they left sorely disappointed, we chatted to each other and didn’t pay others any attention.

DH and I stayed at a bed and breakfast in California and breakfast was served with everyone sitting at a long table. I didn't fancy that at all but it was actually very nice to meet new people and find out what they had planned for the day. I am glad you are going to try the experience.

DH went for lunch at Miss Mary Bobo's in Tennessee and there not only do you sit at a table with about 10 other people but there is also a hostess at each table to keep the conversation going.

I booked a trip to SA and we had communal breakfasts. People from all over the world, very interesting. I was dreading it ... but it was just fine. Do go.

Oh god I would hate it!
I remember staying at a B&B once and the owner sat us with another couple at breakfast so we could "socialise with the other youngsters" horrors!!

@LilacWriter in these situations DH and I like to have like five things to talk about agreed so we can chat naturally, then everyone about us gets on with their own meals too and it’s easy.

like

where shall we go on holiday next year ?
what colour should we paint the xxxx ?
what to do about xyz juicy problem?

when shall we visit xxx family

I would absolutely hate that. I am really introverted.I hate being forced to be sociable at the best of time.

My husband (huge extrovert) will natter to anyone so it would literally be a night of me listening to him to talk to everyone except me.

Oh. My. God. Sounds like hell 😩

I've done this a few times and it was a good meal out. Met some nice people

I've also been to the Gardeners Cottage, also a surprise booking by my husband. It was really lovely and the long table/chatting to others definitely added to the experience.

Ungrateful springs to mind but that's just my opinion

He tried not good enough he doesn't try not good enough book somewhere yourself then at least you will be happy in life

My idea of hell too but you never know you might force yourself to go and love it! Try it out. Then if it’s shit it’s his fault haha.

Is this the place Fallachan by any chance.

I flatly refuse but I may have to deal with soon as DH wants it as a present.