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Original poster

santa special question - would you do this?

30 replies

Lottle · 17/12/2021 21:30

Can I ask if you'd attend or not? Thanks

We've paid for tickets for a Santa special on Wednesday. There's three of us- 2 adults (double vaccinated plus booster v recently and a 3 year old). 3 year old doesn't know anything about this event.

People sit at those tables of four. I now realise the fourth seat will be filled by someone else we wont know so sat next to one of us and opposite another.

They want people to wear masks but are providing mince pies and drinks so clearly masks will be removed for this.

Opinions please!
Thanks

OP posts:
Boosterquery · 17/12/2021 22:19

I would say don't go, particularly if you are planning to meet up with wider family on Christmas Day.

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 17/12/2021 22:26

We've never had randoms in spare seats at our table, even when under-occupied. Are you sure somebody will be sitting there?

HardbackWriter · 17/12/2021 22:28

Why would there be a stranger sat at your table? Surely no one goes as a lone adult to see Santa, and they're not going to split a family party across tables?

NuffSaidSam · 17/12/2021 22:30

I think it depends how much the rest of your Christmas plans would be ruined if you got covid now.

And also, why would a random person be at your table?!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 17/12/2021 22:32

Are you meaning on a train? Pre Covid you did have mixed groups. But the one we go to has has separated people out the last two years.

Original poster
Lottle · 17/12/2021 22:36

Yes it's a train. Going to check tomorrow but it says fully booked but other sevices you can book odd seats. You could have a family of five for example with four of them round a table and one next to them on our table.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 17/12/2021 22:37

It really depends what your Christmas plans are. I absolutely would do it, but I am not spending Christmas with wider family so if I caught Covid and had to isolate no plans would be ruined.

Starcaller · 17/12/2021 22:39

We have exactly the same dilemma for tomorrow. DD would love it but doesn't know about it, and I've got the fear Sad We are travelling to see family later in the week. I'm leaning towards not.

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 17/12/2021 22:39

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Are you meaning on a train? Pre Covid you did have mixed groups. But the one we go to has has separated people out the last two years.
We've done Santa trains for the last 6 years (sometimes two in a year), and we've never had randoms at our table.

We have our own compartment on the one we're doing tomorrow, so no worries there!

Oakdog · 17/12/2021 22:41

Assuming this is on a train, but at the railway I'm involved with the under occupied seats round a table of 4 aren't booked to someone else. Having said that I was supposed to be helping out towards the end next week, but have had to cancel due to not wanting to potentially ruin my Christmas plans with elderly relatives.

853ax · 17/12/2021 22:41

I'd go sure a window can be open in carriage. Would be safer covid wise then a shopping centre

problembottom · 17/12/2021 22:41

I would check for sure if there’ll be someone sat there. We did one of these last week and everyone had a little carriage to themselves for Covid reasons, I’d be surprised if they put different groups on the same table. DD, who is nearly 3, loved it so fingers crossed you’ll be able to go.

Original poster
Lottle · 17/12/2021 22:50

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if I was mad to be worried. I will ring them and check about that fourth seat. I think that's the deal breaker. I'll report back!

OP posts:
custardcream1000 · 17/12/2021 23:00

If it's the polar express at churnet valley, they are mixing family groups. They have seated one of our party at the table behind our group with 3 strangers. I asked to cancel as we felt uncomfortable with this, plus it seems pointless to book a family activity when you can't sit as a family, but they will not allow cancellations.

Boosterquery · 17/12/2021 23:50

I think the discussion about whether the fourth seat at the table is going to be occupied is a bit of a side issue. Unless you've booked a private compartment you are going to be sitting in a confined space in close proximity to lots of other unmasked people. That involves a high Covid risk even if the fourth seat is unoccupied.

Peakypolly · 17/12/2021 23:55

Similar to going to a coffee shop/restaurant? I have no problem with that. But, as others have said, it depends on how a positive test will effect your festive plans.

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 18/12/2021 07:57

@Boosterquery

I think the discussion about whether the fourth seat at the table is going to be occupied is a bit of a side issue. Unless you've booked a private compartment you are going to be sitting in a confined space in close proximity to lots of other unmasked people. That involves a high Covid risk even if the fourth seat is unoccupied.
But that person is why the OP has an issue, which is why it's being mentioned!
Original poster
Lottle · 18/12/2021 08:35

@Peakypolly hmm but I wouldn't expect someone I didn't know to sit at our table in a coffee shop

OP posts:
Rainbowabacus1 · 18/12/2021 08:38

If it’s a train, open a Window!

20viona · 18/12/2021 08:45

We did polar express at churnet valley and no strangers were sat with us and we had 3 to our table it was excellent.

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 18/12/2021 08:51

[quote Lottle]@Peakypolly hmm but I wouldn't expect someone I didn't know to sit at our table in a coffee shop[/quote]
This right here has been the topic of many AIBU threads over the years!

CrapDrawer · 18/12/2021 09:00

[quote Lottle]@Peakypolly hmm but I wouldn't expect someone I didn't know to sit at our table in a coffee shop[/quote]
I agree with the PP above who points out that it doesn’t really matter if someone is on your table or not. You’re in a very confined space. The table next to yours will be less than a metre away. You’ll all be maskless for however long while you eat. If someone at the other end of the carriage has covid, you could well get covid. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of getting covid this close to Christmas, you shouldn’t go regardless of whether there is someone else on your table.

You’ve convinced yourself the risk will be significantly lower if you’re on a table with just your family but the stranger sitting with you might be covid free and the whole family across the aisle could have it.

Original poster
Lottle · 18/12/2021 09:19

@ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy oh boy!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lottle · 18/12/2021 09:20

We've cancelled :(
DH made the point that we would never book it today. I couldn't get through on the phone and the less notice we give them the less refund we get but I'm pretty sure there would be someone else at the table. Thank you so much for your responses. It made me see other people would be hesitant too. We are seeing family over Christmas.

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 18/12/2021 09:46

We’ve cancelled some things, but not outdoor things. We went on a steam train in August, there were 3 of us. It said when we booked that we would have a table of 4 to ourselves. DH cancelled a dinner with 40 men last night, at least he hasn’t woken up today with a hangover.