Etiquette Tuesday: "Seat’s Taken!"
Whew. That’s the exact word we used as we exited one of the most awkward and uncomfortable dining experiences of our lives. Before we continue on our unhappy rant, let us start from the beginning. We were invited to a b-day dinner that was held at a popular dining hall. The drinks would be flowing, the food would be in abundance and good conversation was to be had. So we thought. This week’s post focuses on improper planning of the formal birthday dinner.
Upon arrival, we cased out the spot from the back of the room sizing up the crowd and mapping out our seating location. Immediately our attention was drawn to the persons we knew and we happily approached the table, sparked up a convo and asked if we could sit beside them. The answer was yes, the seat was vacant as far as they knew. Twelve minutes later, we would learn that we would be moving across the room only to recieve the evil eye from the lady who was seated at that table. She hovered over the table until she got us away just the way a pit bull guards his owners house and we happily returned to our original location after learning that there was room at this table now. This is where it gets interesting.
“It’s my party and I cry if I want to”…This was the official theme song from the time we sat down at the front table until we finally called it quits. The guest of honor was a little aggitated already (*Due to other reasons) and became even more aggitated when they saw us joining the main table. After a few quick bites, we decided it was time to call it quits. No more musical chairs. No more awkward stares. No more “You can’t sit here” comments. Good move. Though we were disappointed with the list of events, we were glad to have this inspiration for our Etiquette Tuesday post.
Seating assignments, folks! If you want people to sit in specific seats at your shindig, make place cards or at the very least add some cheap reserved tags to the tables. This can go a long way and we now realize how important they are after we faced so much discomfort playing musical chairs. It makes your guests feel awkward and out of place when they have to constantly move and figure out where they should be sitting. Remember, this is your celebration but they are your guests, so they should be treated accordingly. Be organized, be prepared and be classy…musical chairs is not cool after 4th grade.
Upon arrival, we cased out the spot from the back of the room sizing up the crowd and mapping out our seating location. Immediately our attention was drawn to the persons we knew and we happily approached the table, sparked up a convo and asked if we could sit beside them. The answer was yes, the seat was vacant as far as they knew. Twelve minutes later, we would learn that we would be moving across the room only to recieve the evil eye from the lady who was seated at that table. She hovered over the table until she got us away just the way a pit bull guards his owners house and we happily returned to our original location after learning that there was room at this table now. This is where it gets interesting.
“It’s my party and I cry if I want to”…This was the official theme song from the time we sat down at the front table until we finally called it quits. The guest of honor was a little aggitated already (*Due to other reasons) and became even more aggitated when they saw us joining the main table. After a few quick bites, we decided it was time to call it quits. No more musical chairs. No more awkward stares. No more “You can’t sit here” comments. Good move. Though we were disappointed with the list of events, we were glad to have this inspiration for our Etiquette Tuesday post.
Seating assignments, folks! If you want people to sit in specific seats at your shindig, make place cards or at the very least add some cheap reserved tags to the tables. This can go a long way and we now realize how important they are after we faced so much discomfort playing musical chairs. It makes your guests feel awkward and out of place when they have to constantly move and figure out where they should be sitting. Remember, this is your celebration but they are your guests, so they should be treated accordingly. Be organized, be prepared and be classy…musical chairs is not cool after 4th grade.
Category: Food.Fun.Stuff.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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