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Originally posted by Dimpz:

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Originally posted by Mrs Toad:
After all, all Southerners are dumb redneck racists who can barely finish the 8th grade.

Is this a tongue in cheek statement?

I'm sorry I forgot to wink, indicating tongue in cheek. If you read my whole statement, you would realize that I was speaking about many people in the Northeast (in particular) having this sort of negative opinion about Southerners, and how my daughter (who may have bgeen the first "southerner" they had ever really spoken to) did not fit in with their mistaken belief that Northerners are better educated, smarter, more sophisticated, more tolerant, etc.

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Originally posted by BrendaC:

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Originally posted by Mrs Toad:
We were travelling as a trio, and found that the waiters would get upset if we took a table that seated more than 4! We really wanted to meet and socialize with other people in our group, rather than be constantly alone together.

I've never waited tables so forgive the question. What possible difference would it have made to the waiter if you sat at a table that held more than four?

Brenda

I guess they were afraid that no one would sit in the empty seats, so they would have an extra table elsewhere to take care of? They really seemed to be trying to clump everyone together in most places, with no "empty spaces" if possible.

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I am more than capable of taking care of myself in any situation, not much phases me, I copped a ribbing from a few other passengers who also noticed what was going on, in the end most of us turned it into a joke, they

Can imagine that nothing would happen to you Missie! You certainly would tell him where to go. Where was the wife.?

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Originally posted by jenno:

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I am more than capable of taking care of myself in any situation, not much phases me, I copped a ribbing from a few other passengers who also noticed what was going on, in the end most of us turned it into a joke, they

Can imagine that nothing would happen to you Missie! You certainly would tell him where to go. Where was the wife.?

Jenno ~ The strange thing was that his wife was lovely and wanted to be friendly as well, she saw what her husband was up to but did nothing about it. They were travelling with another couple who were just the nicest people, both the blokes worked for the Federal Police in Canberra.

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Originally posted by PURVIS 70:
Solo Dinning experience: From what I have read on this issue it seems to me that many of you feel it is upto the TD to see that a solo traveller is not embarassed by being asked to move in order to accomodate others. It has been my problem on several occasions that the TD is nowhere to be found when such a situation arises. Many TDs and drivers eat seperately away from the clients and are unaware that the solo has been asked to move and I for one as an adult am not going to go and complain as a spoiled child would. Purvis

I have been asked on more than one occasion to move by the Tour Director.

It really isn't a "couples" problem. It also applies to friends travelling together who don't want to be split up.

A suggestion was made earlier in this thread to speak to the TD about it and I think that's a great idea. As indicated above, I have been asked by the TD to move so that a couple can sit together. But in the future, I intend to tell the TD at the meet and greet not to ever ask me to move as it's embarrassing.

Let's face it, not everyone is going to be happy with the seating arrangements all the time. But I think the best solution is this: first come, first served. If you have the misfortunate (whether it's your fault or not) of being the last to arrive and it would mean asking a single to move (or if you do ask and are met with resistance or an icy stare), then do the right thing and sit apart. Unless of course there is a valid reason (like one partner being handicapped in which case the TD should arrange for you to sit together anyway), it really won't kill you for one dinner. If you don't like it, then make sure you are not the last ones to enter the restaurant the next time.

Here's another possible solution: when people enter the restaurant, someone (either the TD or a restaurant employee) should lead people to tables and seat them. When one table is full, people are led to the next table. Although this isn't foolproof, it's better than the free-for-all that usually happens.

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Originally posted by Colleen Anne2:
I hate this sort of thing!
As a single traveller I have been asked to move tables at dinner several times because a couple cannot sit together. It really bugs me that two people who have been married for decades can't sit a few feet apart for a meal.

This is a no-win situation for the single traveller. If you move you feel put-upon and embarrassed - if you refuse to move you are branded as a nasty person for the rest of the trip.

Yes, I have put this point on assessment forms at the end of a number of trips but tour companies couldn't care less

Collen Anne2,

That is exactly correct. The solo traveler either accepts being treated as a second class citizen, or is branded as uncooperative. That's why I have found it easier simply to examine the seating arrangements and look for the open seat. That heads off the Hobson's Choice.

I'm not convinced the TD should be responsible for our seating. We are all adults who surely can look after ourselves. I would never go to the TD complaining we couldn't get 2 seats together and nor would I dream of asking anyone to move. We had this situation one night where upon arrival we took some photos outside the restaurant and so were the last to enter. There were no seats together at the 2 long tables provided so we sat down at a small table on our own. Didn't worry us. When the rest of our group noticed they all pushed closer together and insisted we join them. There was never an issue any other time. We are not joined at the hip but when we go on holiday we want to spend as much time together as possible. My husband works 12 hour days and often misses dinner with us so we want to at least be able to eat together when on holiday. Considering we had also just spent 2 months living apart in separate countries, our time away together meant even more.
What I am trying to say is that there are lots of reasons a couple insist on being together that others may not be aware of. BTW I think it is nice that a couple who have been married for decades actually do want to sit together!
I guess like many others I was not aware of the issues that arise when you travel solo and I think it's unfair you are made to feel embarrassed. Hopefully this thread will alert us all to the other side of the story and we will all be happy little campers on our next tour!

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Originally posted by Jeannie118:

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Originally posted by PURVIS 70:
Solo Dinning experience: From what I have read on this issue it seems to me that many of you feel it is upto the TD to see that a solo traveller is not embarassed by being asked to move in order to accomodate others. It has been my problem on several occasions that the TD is nowhere to be found when such a situation arises. Many TDs and drivers eat seperately away from the clients and are unaware that the solo has been asked to move and I for one as an adult am not going to go and complain as a spoiled child would. Purvis

I have been asked on more than one occasion to move by the Tour Director.

Notwithstanding what Aug said - I'd say "no" - unless I wanted to move or felt it was the best thing to do. If I'd arrived earlier and found a spot I liked - maybe by a window - and maybe got a drink and eaten some bread - I'd tell the person who asked me to move "NO" - in a polite voice. If they persisted, I'd tell them to "P*** Off"" in a not so polite voice.

You have a perfect right to sit in a spot you choose and if you bother to turn up early to pick a good spot - thats your good luck. If people choose to turn up later, or, in fact, late, then thats their worry - not yours.

I know most people would move to avoid a "scene" - and maybe I would if asked nicely. If there was the slightest suggestion I was being told to move - I'd sit tight.

No decent couple would hold such an action against you or judge you for it. Anyone that does is not really worth knowing anyway ...

If the TG made a scene about it - then it would be strikes one and two, and maybe three for him - from me. (ie my tipping system ... ).

I agree St Mike. Whilst I like eating with my partner how dare anyone make someone feel a nuisance just because they are travelling on their own.

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Originally posted by rmonturi:

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Originally posted by so what's the answer, again I don't know? I can really see both side of the coin.

Actually, the answer is quite simple: First come, "first served." If it is that critical that one dine with a spouse, make an effort to be among the first in theDining room.--no big deal!


Personally, I consider it the height of arrogance to ask anyone to move, so they could be more comfortable. Sure, they can refuse, but with the attendant onus of being considered uncooperative.

We are talking group travel, here. Perhaps those who can't handle being separated during a dinner should consider independent travel. It's not like anyone is being asked to "sleep" with a stranger.

As an aside, the same thing happens on an aircraft when someone wants my seat (that I have booked well in
advance -seat assignments are very important to me- so a member their family can sit together. Again:, "first come first served."

Bob

Your comment about being asked to sleep with a stranger reminded me of my last trip where I kinda sort of was.....

At one hotel they somehow managed to double book my room... at about midnight I heard a noise at the door and a man came into my room... they had after all given him a key...
I'm sure he didn't know what hit him after I finished yelling at him.. - (not sure what nationality he was but yelling translates quite easily ...)

Not the most pleasant experience I've ever had but I'm sure the man given the wrong room was just as upset/annoyed...the hotel did apologise and gave me a fruit basket and a bottle of wine as a way of trying to make amends...

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Originally posted by rmonturi:
As an aside, the same thing happens on an aircraft when someone wants my seat (that I have booked well in
advance -seat assignments are very important to me- so a member their family can sit together. Again:, "first come first served."

Bob

That's irritating isn't it. Or when you get bumped from your seat for someone 'more important'. We had requested exit aisle seats months before we left for London, with a few gentle reminders to the airline every now and then. Going over was fine but coming back we discovered we no longer had them. My husband has long legs and a bad back and so he expressed his disappointment in a firm but friendly manner, but to no avail. When we went to board we were suddenly reassigned our original seats . It didn't take much to work out that the arrogant rude man stuck in the middle of a row and giving the crew a really hard time was the one who had tried to pull rank.

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Originally posted by Folly32a:
...At one hotel they somehow managed to double book my room... at about midnight I heard a noise at the door and a man came into my room... they had after all given him a key...
...

Good grief. Poor chap! Poor you! Where was this???? Did it go in a tour tale? And did you go straight back to sleep, or was that a bit too much to ask?

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Originally posted by Mallee:

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Originally posted by Folly32a:
...At one hotel they somehow managed to double book my room... at about midnight I heard a noise at the door and a man came into my room... they had after all given him a key...
...

Good grief. Poor chap! Poor you! Where was this???? Did it go in a tour tale? And did you go straight back to sleep, or was that a bit too much to ask?

Happened to me too once - 'cept it was a cute blonde ... I was so tired I just let her stay ...