Westcoastwild
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2016
And that is the main reason we prefer the other cruise lines that make it easier to dine as you please. It is that important to us.
Maybe you don't think it is off putting if someone is vague about their personal life but you would be the exception. More often than not, you get labeled as being rude for being vague and preventing the strangers at your table the opportunity to "learn about new places and people" or to be friends. Many times the strangers also see it as a challenge then to dig out the information which gets tiresome.
We are extroverts. We love people and talking with people. That is why we feel there are plenty of situations to meet others throughout the day. But we want it on our terms, not forced by an artificial situation. Our meal time is family time, period.
Someone up thread said that their tablemates were rude people because they made no effort to interact with them. We would be that family. We are not rude, it is just not our responsibility to engage you just because you are sitting at the same table. It is better for you (global you) that we request a private table since we probably would not meet the expectations of people who do enjoy sharing a table. It has to be a mutually enjoyed experience. If one family does not enjoy dining with strangers, both families will suffer.
You seem convinced that everyone should love shared dining. We do not as apparently many don't as evidenced by this thread.
Well, it sounds like it's good that you request a private table. It's not your responsibility but it's just common courtesy to chat with people.
I have to be in the mood for communal dining- I'm an introvert, so I get where most people are coming from. But I've never had anyone act like I'm rude for not talking about where I work. You can always make stuff up, too. I don't give out personal information as a rule to strangers I meet on vacation, so I'm not understanding your premise that you reserve a private table to avoid having to give out personal information. You could just tell one person you're a secret agent, and another that you're a circus clown, and eventually they'll give up. In my experience people prefer to talk about themselves and their kids anyway.