#1
Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:27am
Someone commented in another thread about someone coming and sitting ‘right next to them’ in a movie theater, and it got me thinking.
American sense of ‘space’ is a fairly unique thing in the world. When I was managing restaurants at the Grand Canyon, we had a 60% international demographic. There was one place in particular that had the premier Canyon views – but only 28 tables – and they routinely ran over a two-hour wait for a table.
Now, most of these were tables with seating for four, but much of the time, only two people were seated at them. Our international guests were always furious that they had to wait to eat when there were so many seats available. And there lies the difference. Here, we seat by the table, whereas elsewhere, they fill available seats.
Which is more logical?
I began a program of asking if people minded other couples being seated with them for dining. Without exception, international guests were always willing. To them, they realized they were going to get what they came for – a meal – and also have the opportunity to meet and interact with other people who were interested in the Canyon, and also looking for a repast.
Not that my situation equates to a scientific survey, but it is worth noting that maybe – MAYBE – one out of forty times or so did an American couple agree to such an arrangement. I can’t help think about opportunities missed – and this grand sense of ‘isolation’ that seems endemic to our society.
For the record, I’ve experienced the situation in a movie theater before that someone was uncomfortable with. My reaction? My initial thought was, “Well, that’s unusual!” Followed quickly by, “Well, they must not be averse to closeness, so I’ll try some interaction.” That led to talk of what drew us to the film, what we liked or knew about the people involved in the project, a ‘shared’ movie-going experience, and then on most occasions drinks or food afterward to talk about the movie and share a little perspective on cabbages and kings.
I’ll stick to my approach.
American sense of ‘space’ is a fairly unique thing in the world. When I was managing restaurants at the Grand Canyon, we had a 60% international demographic. There was one place in particular that had the premier Canyon views – but only 28 tables – and they routinely ran over a two-hour wait for a table.
Now, most of these were tables with seating for four, but much of the time, only two people were seated at them. Our international guests were always furious that they had to wait to eat when there were so many seats available. And there lies the difference. Here, we seat by the table, whereas elsewhere, they fill available seats.
Which is more logical?
I began a program of asking if people minded other couples being seated with them for dining. Without exception, international guests were always willing. To them, they realized they were going to get what they came for – a meal – and also have the opportunity to meet and interact with other people who were interested in the Canyon, and also looking for a repast.
Not that my situation equates to a scientific survey, but it is worth noting that maybe – MAYBE – one out of forty times or so did an American couple agree to such an arrangement. I can’t help think about opportunities missed – and this grand sense of ‘isolation’ that seems endemic to our society.
For the record, I’ve experienced the situation in a movie theater before that someone was uncomfortable with. My reaction? My initial thought was, “Well, that’s unusual!” Followed quickly by, “Well, they must not be averse to closeness, so I’ll try some interaction.” That led to talk of what drew us to the film, what we liked or knew about the people involved in the project, a ‘shared’ movie-going experience, and then on most occasions drinks or food afterward to talk about the movie and share a little perspective on cabbages and kings.
I’ll stick to my approach.
