couples in a restaurant, eating in silence..

Tropez

I think one of the hallmarks of a close relationship is the ability to sit down together and not feel it necessary to yabber on about nothing in order to feel comfortable.

If we're at a restaurant, it is because we're both feeling too tired to cook. Neither of us are particularly interested in long conversations when we're tired, nor would we engage in any sort of meaningful conversation in public. It'd just be idle chatter.

SuzieSue

Tropez wrote: »

nor would we engage in any sort of meaningful conversation in public. It'd just be idle chatter.

Exactly this. I don't want to have the sorts of conversations we have in private in public. I find our conversations in public are very different from our private conversations and I don't particularly care for them unless they are about something practical like deciding what to order.

victory

meritaten wrote: »

but I have seen couples enter restaurants, and don't speak to each other the entire time!

They were the ones I was talking about:)

victory

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

Me and the OH are fairly quiet when we go out for a meal, we talk plenty at other times. Just we both find people endlessly chattering and loud enough to be heard, rather boring and annoying, so we don't do it ourselves. We endured 2 guys (the unmarried, with ponytails and awful dress sense type) talking non-stop about fantasy gaming the other day - was dying to tell them to give it a rest!


Even more annoying however, is new couples smooching and giggling or flirting done really badly...nobody wants to see or listen to that when they're eating!

A while ago we were out and a couple were really getting it on, it was really cringe worthy embarrasing, no one knew what to do or where to look and fortunately for all of us they decided to leave and carry on elsewhere, phew:D

jetplane

Me and my husband will often sit in compatible silence, watching tv, or one on the ipad or reading a book, but never when out. We never feel we have to talk either, but we do. We are still a couple who will look at each other, talk, flirt and laugh or moan together. To be honest I don't think we even eat a meal at home in silence.

I am guilty of thinking that couples who sit in silence when out socially have lost interest in each other or can't be bothered or were wishing they were somewhere else. I may be wrong but would you silent types not even talk about your meal, your day, your tomorrow? Do you drive home in silence, have nightcap and then go to bed in silence?

GobbledyGook

That would probably be us. The school holidays seem long this year - two complete chatter box DD's, one always-active DS and OH's v.v.v active toddler are making for a busy, noisy house.

We went for dinner on Wednesday and we hardly said a word to each other; we just enjoyed the peace and quiet, the fact that food was warm and good (and, perhaps selfishly, we didn't have to consider DD2's allergies so we could eat whatever we wanted) and it was lovely.

wannabehermit

GobbledyGook wrote: »

We went for dinner on Wednesday and we hardly said a word to each other; we just enjoyed the peace and quiet, the fact that food was warm and good (and, perhaps selfishly, we didn't have to consider DD2's allergies so we could eat whatever we wanted) and it was lovely.

Same here. We always have one week off together each year during term time and we will go out for lunch every day. We probably say hardly a word during that time, just enjoying the silence (and listening to everyone else ) (Also in same boat with DD)

jetplane

Do you know gobbledygook gook I've never thought about it in that way before.

I must add that I am referring to couples who not only sit in silence with little or no attempt at idle chit chat, some couples barely make eye contact.

Brighton_belle

jetplane wrote: »

Do you know gobbledygook gook I've never thought about it in that way before.

I must add that I am referring to couples who not only sit in silence with little or no attempt at idle chit chat, some couples barely make eye contact.

Ah, we may be quiet together but we're not like that: we hold hands over the table until food arrives and will comment on our meal. There may also be some stealth raiding /fending off by fork of DH's chips

Peter333

Tropez wrote: »

I think one of the hallmarks of a close relationship is the ability to sit down together and not feel it necessary to yabber on about nothing in order to feel comfortable.

If we're at a restaurant, it is because we're both feeling too tired to cook. Neither of us are particularly interested in long conversations when we're tired, nor would we engage in any sort of meaningful conversation in public. It'd just be idle chatter.

Well yes of course.

Me and my wife can sit for 2 hours at home, and hardly speak, because I am on the laptop, and she is watching tv. It is fine and there is no awkwardness, and we are both happy, and will speak if we feel the need to.

However, this thread was about whether people speak when they are out for a meal, and I responded to the subject matter in the OP.

When we are out for a meal; of course we talk. It seems odd to me not to. JMHO.