Did you know?

That I regularly sit down to a meal with complete strangers in Cabramatta? We sit together in total silence for half an hour whilst I devour my noodles…awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

It is common practice to bunch in as many patrons as possible into restaurants during busy lunch hours . So if I was sitting by myself on a table for two (as I did today), they would happily seat another lonesome patron across from me. They would try to maneuver ipsilateral seating patterns, but I have a bad habit of finding the smallest table in the shop and thus,face-to-face for me! I knew I should’ve chosen the long communal table!

This may seem really unpleasant, but it’s not as bad as you think. Just remember that the other person didn’t request to sit with you either so its not creepy….only if you play footsie with them.

It all just boils down to your own perceived radius of personal space.

Of course you would be asked beforehand, it is OK to refuse the offer, so don’t be afraid to decline.

I’ve given it some thought and I think this casual eating arrangement has arisen from following reasons:

– Eating is considered a communal activity in southeast Asian communities.

– Lunch is a necessity of the working person. Eating is not always leisurely for those who have 30minute breaks and thus who you sit with is not overly important in the overall scheme of getting food into your gob.

– Logistics. X number of seats, X number of patrons. Maximise bums on chairs.

I’ve had some nice meals with friendly elderly ladies. Its nice to look up and find grandma X telling me I have food stuck to my face or just taking turn  filling each others tea cups.

So give it serious consideration next time you’re visiting. It’s one of those experiences that you should try at least once. There’s no better way to know a local than looking over and seeing that the other person has copied your order! ( yes my lunch companion today was salivating over my dish and copied me!).

I haven’t had time to ask a restaurant owner on the guidelines they use in seating strangers….because I’m sure that I’ve never had a male (yes I am female) stranger sharing my table. I’m sure there are some rules to observe…I like to think that friendly looking people get offered stateless people at their table….but that would sound like me complimenting myself which of course is just silly.