Where Do You Sit in a Booth When Out to Dinner?

Updated on August 29, 2011
M.M. asks from Tucson, AZ
32 answers

If you went to dinner with say your husband or boyfriend or male friend. Do you sit next to him on the same side of the booth? Or do you sit across from them?
I would sit across from them.
What do you think about people who sit next to someone in a booth when there are just 2 people? Why do you sit next to them in a booth if you do that?

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I HATE sitting next to my husband in a both. You don't have much room for plates, you can't really look at each other without sitting sideways. It feels very awkward. Whenever I walk next to a couple sitting next to each other I always chuckle on the inside, because it just looks so awkward!

We achieve intimacy, closeness, good conversation...sitting across from each other. Sitting with my neck to the side so long, is painful!

2 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

GREAT QUESTION!!

I like sitting across from my husband when we have date night, so we can talk and hold hands across the table, but sitting next to each other is really intimate too :)

2 moms found this helpful
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A.K.

answers from Phoenix on

Across, for myself but when I see a couple sitting next to each other with no other company, I'm intrigued.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

ROFL, it's young love when two people sit on the same side of the booth!

5 moms found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Dating--next to

Married--across from

Married with kid(s)--chasing kid(s)

5 moms found this helpful

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

Typically we sit across from each other. I used to sit facing the door, but now that we both have our CHL it doesn't matter who sits where...we're both armed and should something go down, either of us can handle ourselves. (And yes, that's why I would sit facing the door, so if some lunatic came in waving a gun, I could pull my weapon and handle it.)

3 moms found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Across. I don't really like my husband and wouldn't want to get his germs. Sorry. I'm in a stupid mood.

2 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

We sit across from one another...I like to look at him when we are talking. We rarely get a meal just the two of..I don't want to cramp us in one side and hurt my neck just to look at him.

People who share one side when just the two of them...well I really don't know how I feel. I guess it doesn't bother me.

What bothers me is when driving down the road and in a truck the girl is sitting in the middle right next to her mate...ugh...that irritates me and I have no reason for it to.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.J.

answers from Lincoln on

lol I've never sat side by side with a date in a booth. I think that would make conversation harder side by side. However, when I'm out with my 6 year old he likes to sit next to me, even if we are in a booth.

Who knows... maybe some day I'll meet some guy (other than my son) so special I want to be next to him in the booth. :-)

2 moms found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My husband and I always sit next to each other! Unless we have our kids with us, of course. Then we each sit next to a kid because you can't really leave the two year old next to the five year old ;)

When we are on a date together, we love feeling all snuggly and lovey dovey! We sometimes don't say alot, just enjoy the closeness. I guess young love is a good thing to call it, because as deep as our love is, I enjoy being able to be silly and flirty and feel like we are young again! Nine years of married bliss and still happy to sit in the same booth!

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

Across from...otherwise he will just watch the T.V. that is across the room...wait, ok he does that anyway, but if I am across from him I can kick him in the shins and get his attention.

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I sit across from the person I am eating with - husband or friend...I like to look a them in the face and see them...not the side of them.

Some people sit next to each other because they like the closeness...

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I sit across from my hubby. And he always chooses where he wants to sit first, because he wants to keep his eye on the door, lol.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Youngstown on

Across,always have even right when we first met and still liked each other. I was a server for a long time so I saw a lot of couples sitting next to each other and it always wierded me out. My husband and I also talk about this in the car if we see people sitting next to each other and it wierds him out too.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Across. I don't think I ever sat on the same side except if another couple or more than O. kid was along.

I would also think it's odd if I see that--which I don't think I ever do--except if the people are 16! LOL

1 mom found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Have you seen the movie "Date Night" with Steve Carrell and TIna Fey? They talk about this topic.

My hubby and I always sit across from eachother when out together. It makes it easier for conversation and eye contact.

I think it looks weird when people are sitting next to eachother...but to each his/her own!!!

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Depends.. If it is just me and my husband sometimes, I will sit in the corner and ask him to sit next to me, so we can be close. It is nice when we have not had much alone time. Sometimes so we can see the whole room.

Again if just the 2 of us, most times I let him sit facing the room.. He likes to see what is going on and I really do not care that much.. We have been together since we were 13 so I have learned this is better for him.

I am part of a lunch bunch and one a month we meet out somewhere. There are 4 of us 2 guys and 2 girls.. so we just jump into the seating and it varies.. Boy -girl.. boy- boy, girl -girl.. We are like family so it is like sitting next to your brother or sister.

My main problem is that I am very warm natured and so I do not do well with people all over me for long lengths of time..

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

It is more difficult to talk when you are sitting next to someone in a booth, especially when eating. So I guess if two people were to sit next to each other I would assume they aren't into talking. Then again I don't think I would actually notice.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I usually sit across from him....but JFF let's flip it....

why look at him if you can get your hands on him?

just kidding....waiting for my family to go to bed so I can have a nice peaceful night!

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N.B.

answers from Phoenix on

We have almost always sat across from each other in booths, just automatically. It's easier to talk to each other and see each other that way. We've been together for six years. There have been a couple of times when we sat next to each other, both a long time ago and more recently. We have always been a very loving couple who snuggles, cuddles, holds hands, etc. but sometimes it just isn't comfortable to sit on the same side of the booth. Makes it hard to talk and see each other. On the other hand, if we sit at a table with four chairs, then we'll always sit on sides so that we're more next to each other and not completely across.

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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Well, I hate my profile, so I have to sit across from anyone so they can't see it! : )

K.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I have been with my boyfriend for 9 months (today) and we both enjoy sitting next to each other in a booth. My first marriage it was across and I know now that it is important to stay close every single day. So we decided to always sit next to each other every time we went out. Who cares what other people think, we are in love and like to be close. We don't sit and make out or anything like that, but we do get close and snuggle. My boyfriend always says that we will do this for the rest of our lives. I love that!

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S.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Across. Only because: I dont want to turns my head the entire time, be touching elbows ect and one of us has to slide out to let the other go potty .lol

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D.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I usually sit across from my husband but it's because the booths are to small for both of our fluffy booties (LOL).. If it's our anniversary then we will sit next to each other.. but we have been married for 20yrs..

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

We sit like that because we like being warm and snuggly. I have been married almost seventeen years. I like to think that is part of why. Once in awhile we sit across from eachother. Not usually. We watch people together. My first husband and I sat across from eachother. He wanted to argue all the time. I will take anyone's comments anytime over being in a restaurant with a man who loved to argue and be mean. If I was with a male friend or my sons (both actually grown up) we of course sit across from eachother. That would be embarrassing to sit next to their mother who had them, fed them, clothed them, drove them to football...guilt, guilt. Haha. Anyway, interesting question.

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M.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My husband and I always sit next to each other! Unless we have our Daughter with us.
I just love sitting next to him. I love the closeness! We have from day 1 and we have been together 20 years, married 16. I just like it still after all these years!

T.C.

answers from Austin on

We usually sit across from each other. Except, as my husband pointed out, when there's a view.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Across so I make eye contact when talking.

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I sit accross from my husband all the time. We have the two kids with us and one sits with each of us.
When I go out and see two people sitting next to each other in a booth I think they must be in the honeymoon stage of their relationship. Or that she's groping him.
L.

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E.P.

answers from New York on

I LOVE this question. I was just noticing this recently while out. My husband and I have always sat across from each other - there was never a question about it - that's just how we sat so we could look at the other person when we talked. Honestly, I don't get why some people sit next to each other but I'm going to read your responses now and find out!
Added: OK, so I see it's across by an overwhelming marjority. Funny story - a few months ago there was a middle aged couple (maybe early 50's) sitting next to each other and totally engrossed in conversation, touching, kissing, etc. The guy was wearing a wedding ring. I though - oh, how sweet - they're still in love after all these years. Then I ran into the woman in the bathroom. I said - "it's so nice to see two people who are so in love - I was just wondering, are you married?" Secretly, I was betting they weren't - maybe just newly dating? Well, the woman couldn't get out of the bathroom fast enough and by the time I got back to our table, they were practically running towards the parking lot to get in - you guessed it - separate cars. My husband thought they might both be married and having an affair or possibly there had been an exchange of $$ for something (the woman was dressed very scantily and seemed to be quite a bit younger) So maybe THAT'S who is sitting next to each other in the booth?

J.B.

answers from Houston on

I like to sit across personally bc I don't like to crane my neck to look at my man. I just find it easier to talk that way and then we aren't knocking elbows when we eat. When we go out in a group we sit side by side but then often talk to the people around us more than each other. When I see people sit side by side I don't think anything about it really, sometimes my hubby and I will joke that maybe they are on a date or newlyweds ;)

D.D.

answers from Phoenix on

If I want to hold hands, I sit next to him. If I want to communicate and "read his non-verbal facial messages", I sit across. Sometimes I'll start across and then after the meal, slide on over....

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