couples in a restaurant, eating in silence..

SuzieSue

jetplane wrote: »

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.

But how do you know that? You can't possibly observe their every interaction and if you do, how do you do that whilst making conversation with your OH or don't you look at your OH when you are talking to them?

jetplane

Oh of course I don't watch other diners all of the time, neither do I stare into my husbands eyes. So if you wish to be pedantic then I couldn't swear they didn't speak or touch your honour. Sometimes couples are so unconnected and bored looking, that they are very noticeable and I may find myself wondering are they ever going to speak.

mgdavid

victory wrote: »

......., not every time together can be filled with chatter, most of it pointless anyway

very wise words !

victory

jetplane wrote: »

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?

well not me, can't speak for anyone else but no we don't drive home in silence have a nightcap and then go to bed in silence, all of that plus not speaking at the dinner table would as you say be a whole different relationship:eek:

victory

mgdavid wrote: »

very wise words !

thanks:D.............

C_Mababejive

I'm with Geri & Jesse..
When im out i too have noted the silent table of nearby couples. I also notice the football widows on holiday who have put their best frock on and their partner has his football shirt on. His eyes are locked to a tv screen whilst she sits looking bored.

Sometimes when im out with my cleaning lady we have laugh out loud funny evenings at the diner,other times its more subdued/indeed almost silent.

Tropez

Peter333 wrote: »

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.

My apologies if I gave you the wrong impression but my reply was in response to the OP as well. I hadn't read your post.

Tropez

jetplane wrote: »

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?

When we go to a restaurant it is exclusively because neither of us can be bothered to cook. Talk about our day and such has already taken place which leads us to the conclusion that going out to eat would be more convenient. As I mentioned above, neither of us really like having private conversations in public areas. I've never been that interested in talking about food either - it's just food. It's probably the same reason I don't understand this fad of posting pictures of your lunch and dinner on social media.

On the way home, yes, we're more talkative because we're no longer in a public place and no longer feel the need to censor ourselves.

GobbledyGook

wannabehermit wrote: »

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)

Yes, it is good just to sit, chill and indulge in the occasional spot of people watching. (And thank you for understanding the DD/allergies thing - it feels a little selfish, but it was so good just to look at the menu and choose without having to check the contents of every dish!).

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.

We had already done most of the chit chat. Plus we're lucky atm in that OH's work hours at this time of year (a quiet time) means that we eat breakfast together every day, we have dinner together every night and we always chit chat in bed before sleep (a habit started when that was the only time we had to catch up) so there wasn't really a huge amount of chit chat left to be had. We'd chatted whilst the children ate their dinner and in the cab on the way to dinner.

Sometimes the peace and quiet is just bliss and those dinners (as odd as they may seem to some other people) are something we treasure.

Buzzybee90

I find restaurant and taxi conversation to be the most awkward.

No idea why!