Since I started noticing this - it has completely intrigued me. When couples go out for a meal they sit opposite each, its nice and intimate and it means you are making eye contact when you are talking. But when couples go to the pub for a drink why do they sit next to each other!!! Its like an unwritten rule in the UK. I think its bizare, you walk into a pub and its full of couples around the edge of the room just sat staring forwards like there should be a TV in front of them! My hubby and I always sit opposite in a pub so I don't end up spending the evening staring at strangers. Why do people sit side by side, we have experimented sitting like this but I find it makes conversation really hard.
2007-01-28 01:27:05 · 11 answers · asked by molly 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Perhaps their hoping you will join them for a chat?
2007-01-28 02:05:18 · answer #1 · answered by pwei34 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's all about body language and making unspoken statements.
If you go to a pub it's more casual and open, more inviting. It's laid back because the object of the exercise is a casual drink. It's considered more social because of the nature of the "sitting opposite" scenario.
If you go for a meal, it's intimate, it's about the two of you, you are enforcing the relationship to each other and other people around you. You dont want others involved, facing each other enforces a focal point between you that it would be rude of others to invade, it's about the two of you.
Hadn't really noticed it before, but it makes sense now that you mention it.
2007-01-28 10:15:05 · answer #2 · answered by Im a killer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you always face each other and shut out the outside world you may as well stay at home to do it.
sitting side by side lets you open up to the world and see what is going on around you.
you also get to see the same things, this may give you things to discuss.
You can also hold hands or kiss without a table in the way
2007-01-28 09:37:05 · answer #3 · answered by jim G 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're out with friends it sometimes helps if you are not sat wiv ur other 1/2 so you can make conversation flow between u ur other 1/2 and your friends, it also depends on where people wanna sit in the pub too.
2007-01-28 09:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
im english and i always sat opposite my bloke in the pub so i could see him. Never noticed that!
2007-01-28 09:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by paulamathers 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You must live in a soft area,If you don't sit next to your wife/girl around here someone else will
2007-01-28 09:34:00 · answer #6 · answered by will 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They sit side by side so they can look at couples who are still "in love", and remember how they used to be themselves.
2007-01-28 09:32:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you choose to sit at the bar, you'll sit next to each other, but if you choose to sit at a table, then you'll be facing each other ...it is your choice to make.
2007-01-28 09:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by markos m 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its because these couples have been couples for so long they are sick of looking at each other plus it gives them the chance to check out other people.
2007-01-28 09:31:11 · answer #9 · answered by mr_soapytitwank 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe they're worried someone will sit next to their mate? Or they want to be touching?
2007-01-28 09:32:52 · answer #10 · answered by djm749 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋