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

Jesus!

We once had a half board package in Italy in our 20s and had to share a table for dinner with the same couple every evening, they were older (and much less craic) than our parents. The man was scandalised when we ordered a WHOLE bottle of wine the first night.

We ate out quite a bit.

I’ve done this sort of meal before and I guess it’s luck of the drawer but each time had a hoot. Lots of fun

It sounds intriguing, let us know how it goes.

My son took us to somewhere similar before a big gig in Manchester . Him and I sat on opposite sides of a long trestle table. And it was fab. Great food and good conversation with our neighbours. You might have fun 🤞

Well done, I think that’s a good decision. I’m sure you’ll
enjoy the food and you probably don’t need to
talk much to anyone else or you might be pleasantly surprised. It’s not at all
like being stuck at a table with one other couple like on a package holiday. If you don’t like it just discuss afterwards with DH and don’t go again. He possibly didn’t even notice it said shared table if he was salivating over the delicious menu, or had a recommendation from someone he trusted.

It’s not a question of him thinking you boring it’s about trusting him to book. If you don’t want to go where he books then book somewhere yourself in future. But if you want him to book for you then you’ve got to accept you might not always like it. Complain too much and he will stop booking and you'll
be left with the task yourself. Go, try to enjoy yourself and then afterwards discuss the pros and cons of the evening. Life is an adventure.

We’ve done many of these. As it turns out most people just keep themselves to themselves. There may be a small interaction on occasions during the meal, especially if you’re sitting at the chefs table where they’re explaining what’s happening and you’re watching the food come over the pass, but generally speaking couples just tend to talk amongst themselves

Hope we get to hear if OP enjoyed it (or not).

You may well be seated next to someone who is equally less than thrilled at the prospect of sharing a table so will be happy to ignore you as you ignore them.

Give it a go, a tasting menu is always fun.

I'm an introvert, so I wouldn't usually fancy something like this.

However, it sounds like he's made the effort to book somewhere really special, so I would give it a go.

😊

It looks amazing OP. 🥰

Well I enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere🙂

I occasionally felt self conscious as the couple next to us barely spoke and we had loads to talk about, so it felt like they were just sort of listening, but other than that fine.

The food was lovely and id repeat the experience. It was a special treat.

Did you sit at the end of the table? I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Yes we did. I definitely preferred it.

That’s what I would do. Even at Wagamamas I don’t like being in the middle.

This thread is really annoying me! Poor Op just wants some support. She wants some quality time with her SO and has made it clear that she's not keen on the restraunt style. Can people offer advice instead of telling her how she should feel????!!!!

Can people read the updates and see she enjoyed the dinner?

Good job OP took the advice given!

Talk about first world problems.
"My Waitrose has stopped stocking Labneh; I now have to strain my own Greek Yogurt (which no one ate anyway) and bin; just like the Waitrose Labneh 'essential', sigh".

It’s been and done. She enjoyed it on the whole. She sat at the end of the table, which would be my preference.

Huh?