Most awkard moments during dinner

[LandlockedCruiser01]

On my Sensation cruise, I sat a rectangular 10-top. The seating arrangement was: myself (solo), an older gentleman also cruising solo, two ladies from the same family, and four friends traveling together who knew each other really well. The four friends were separated from the rest of the table by an "aisle" of two empty chairs in the middle of the table. This was never planned; people just sat down that way on the first night, and kept their original seats all four days of the cruise.

 

The table split into two factions (meaning subgroups): the four friends who knew each other, and the rest of the table (me, the other gentleman, and the two ladies). The two factions never said anything to each other beyond a courtesy hello when arriving at the table. My faction tried to engage the other in conversation, but they only gave us terse answers. We quickly gave up. Each faction ended up keeping entirely to themselves, although my faction had great conversations amongst ourselves.

 

The table still worked out very nicely. The ladies were fairly close to me in age; after I ran into them in port, they kind of adopted me, since they knew I was solo. We ended up going out dancing in a tourist bar in port and seeing shows on the ship, along with other cruise friends we all met along the way. I even got the group to go the deck party with a Mexican buffet, that they weren't aware of, but I knew about thanks to Cruise Critic. Those were some fun times.

[blackpool belle]

We were seated with another couple in the MDR. He ordered steak which when it arrived was virtually raw and running with blood. I started to heave and wretch loudly( as I am very tickle stomached) and his wife thought I had belched out loud. I apologised and she said " don't worry it could happen to anybody". Fortunately the guy was a gentleman and sent his meal back and ordered something else instead.

[Velvetwater]

My most awkward moment was a few years ago, at an 8 top table. There were three couples and a single dentist who was attending a conference on board. On the second or third night, he indicated that he was diabetic, and would anyone mind if he injected himself with medication at the table (prior to this point, he had excused himself and left the dining room during the meal to do this - not sure why it could not be done in his cabin prior to dinner). Whatever we all were thinking, none of us managed to voice an objection, so this became part of our evening routine. It was a bit strange.

 

As a wife of a diabetic I can tell you that injecting his insulin in his cabin then walking to dinner then waiting for dinner would likely have dropped his blood sugar low causing confusion,sweating and occasionally a full fitting hypo. Injecting after the meal was over in his cabin meant his blood sugars would have been too high and caused long term damage to the body. Injecting just before a meal or just before dessert is medically the best.

 

Maybe you could be more understanding next time?

[Winnigirl]

We've generally had pretty good luck with tablemates, but a few instances come to mind.

 

We were cruising on the Zuiderdam. On our first night we were seated with an elderly couple. The husband came to dinner everynight in denim overalls and promptly fell asleep in between the salad and main course. His wife would start poking him to wake up. We lasted two nights. On our cruise last year we sat with a couple who were pleasant enough, but when they realized we were from Canada, they sort of treated us like trained monkeys there for their entertainment. It was "say "boat", "say "zee" (zed), "say "eh", "say "roof". It really got sort of insulting.

[GlendaleCruiser]

I would have declined to say a prayer as I keep my spiritual life to myself and I don't wish others to "insist" I take part in their dinnertime rituals that are at odds with mine.

 

I'm fine with a pre-dinner prayer and if no one does, I do it myself quietly (I am always grateful that God provides me with MORE than enough food).4

 

My problem is holding hands----------------YUCK!:eek:

I have no idea who did or did not wash their hands and I'm not taking a chance on noro.

[celle]

I'm fine with a pre-dinner prayer and if no one does, I do it myself quietly (I am always grateful that God provides me with MORE than enough food).4

 

My problem is holding hands----------------YUCK!:eek:

I have no idea who did or did not wash their hands and I'm not taking a chance on noro.

 

Silent prayer is OK. It's expecting other people to join in a vocalised prayer (or hold hands while you pray out loud) that is not OK.

 

I think that people who do this take advantage of the politeness of the other people at their table. Even if they don't like it, most people are likely to acquiesce, because they don't want to make a fuss.

 

People are welcome to their religious beliefs, a long as they don't try to impose them on me.

 

We have friends who pray before eating. We sit quietly while they do it because we value their friendship. I wouldn't want to do that for anyone else.

[jamessemaj]

Silent prayer is OK. It's expecting other people to join in a vocalised prayer (or hold hands while you pray out loud) that is not OK.

 

I think that people who do this take advantage of the politeness of the other people at their table. Even if they don't like it, most people are likely to acquiesce, because they don't want to make a fuss.

 

People are welcome to their religious beliefs, a long as they don't try to impose them on me.

 

We have friends who pray before eating. We sit quietly while they do it because we value their friendship. I wouldn't want to do that for anyone else.

 

I don't care if people want to pray, but then again, I don't have to or want to know about it. People who make ostentatious religious displays are obviously not aware that it is offensive to many others. I have been drawn into the hand holding and prayer twice in the past in public secular environments and am still ashamed that I allowed myself to be suckered. Never again. I won't make a big deal of it but I refuse to participate.

[bradsnana]

Only thing I can think of was our first cruise years ago on Majesty of the Seas....we were seated at a large table. Our group was my husband, 13 yr old son and my mother in law. Everyone showed all week and we had great service. Until the last night when the tip envelopes were given out the largest part of the group no showed and never tipped the wait staff.

 

I was furious at that family....they had excellent service all week and then stiffed the staff. Very uncool!

 

 

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[bradsnana]

I pray before my meals, but very discreetly and to myself. I don't even think my family realizes what I'm doing. I think it would make me uncomfortable if someone prayed aloud at our table on a cruise...

 

 

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[btyko]

The First Amendment is not only about Freedom of Religion. It is also about Freedom FROM Religion.

[Laurie S.]

The First Amendment is not only about Freedom of Religion. It is also about Freedom FROM Religion.

 

Amen!

[wwcruisers]

We were seated with another couple in the MDR. He ordered steak which when it arrived was virtually raw and running with blood. I started to heave and wretch loudly( as I am very tickle stomached) and his wife thought I had belched out loud. I apologised and she said " don't worry it could happen to anybody". Fortunately the guy was a gentleman and sent his meal back and ordered something else instead.

 

Well, you probably don't want to sit next to me, either -- as I order my steak very rare. :eek:

[grand isle joe]

The First Amendment is not only about Freedom of Religion. It is also about Freedom FROM Religion.

 

 

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:...........................................................signed, Uncle Sy..........

[mapsmith]

Religion should be considered like Sex.

 

It should be done only between consenting adults and not forced upon anyone.

[grand isle joe]

Religion should be considered like Sex.

 

It should be done only between consenting adults and not forced upon anyone.

 

 

 

 

....Now Back to our regularly scheduled program brought to you by "bad memories"..................

[Musigurl]

I was traveling with 3 friends (all female) -- we were assigned to an oval-shaped 13-top. The four of us were the first to arrive. We sat 4 in a row around the end of the table.

 

The next to arrive was a group of 7 (3 married couples and the adult son of one of the couples). Instead of sitting next to us, they sat around the other end of the table. This means that the remaining 2 seats were not next to each other.

 

Our waiter came over and pointed out that the two remaining seats were not together and very politely asked them to move down.

 

One of the husbands says "no, we're not going to do that", and his wife chimes in with "why are you trying to ruin our vacation? -- we want to sit here". They were both loud enough in their responses that people from other tables were now staring. The assistant waiter also tried to point out how this was not very nice for the two people who hadn't yet arrived, but they weren't budging.

 

So.....along come the two remaining people -- a mother/daughter duo. They notice the two empty seats and look puzzled. So I, in a very loud voice, say "would you like my friends and I to move so that you can sit together?" Needless to say, they accepted our offer.

 

We got along great with the mother/daughter, and on a night that the group of 7 didn't show, we had a lot of fun with the waiter making fun at them.

 

They never spoke to us the entire cruise -- not so much as a 'hello', even though we greeted them each evening. We'd arrive, say 'hello', and they'd look at us oddly and turn their backs.

 

Luckily, like I said, our waiter had a good sense of humour about it all.

[uncleg]

Probably my second or third cruise i was traveling with cousins and some friends from work, our group was split between two both tables right across from one another, I being the only single in the group took the chair placed at end of booth near/in the path back in fourth to the waiters station. Well on night there was a small accident right behind me waiter dropped his tray from were he had been busing tables, mostly glass were and coffee cups. so I got hit in head by glass or two and a little wet. To me it was no big deal accidents happen. I had people ( the waiter, the MD and maybe head waiter all apologizing) I just told no big deal stuff happens and let it go at that.

 

Where i made my mistake was that after they all cleared away from the table I noticed broken dishes still on floor by our table and the waiters were just flying by trying to take care of their tables, well I am a simple guy who is always willing to lend a hand, I'm not to good to do anything so I start picking up the broken dishes and putting the on end of our table to get them out of walk way, one of my cousins also helped. This caused another scene when we had waiter and MD come back to table to get us to stop cleaning, thought it was funny.

 

 

All in all my cruises have been good some table mates I liked better than others but never anyone that i just could not stand.

[Smokeyham]

...

 

Our waiter came over and pointed out that the two remaining seats were not together and very politely asked them to move down.

 

One of the husbands says "no, we're not going to do that", and his wife chimes in with "why are you trying to ruin our vacation? -- we want to sit here". They were both loud enough in their responses that people from other tables were now staring. The assistant waiter also tried to point out how this was not very nice for the two people who hadn't yet arrived, but they weren't budging.

 

So.....along come the two remaining people -- a mother/daughter duo. They notice the two empty seats and look puzzled. So I, in a very loud voice, say "would you like my friends and I to move so that you can sit together?" Needless to say, they accepted our offer.

 

We got along great with the mother/daughter, and on a night that the group of 7 didn't show, we had a lot of fun with the waiter making fun at them.

 

They never spoke to us the entire cruise -- not so much as a 'hello', even though we greeted them each evening. We'd arrive, say 'hello', and they'd look at us oddly and turn their backs.

 

Luckily, like I said, our waiter had a good sense of humour about it all.

Have to feel sorry for people whose vacation will be "ruined" by moving over two seats at dinner. Sounds like a miserable family!

[Winnigirl]

I don't care if people want to pray, but then again, I don't have to or want to know about it. People who make ostentatious religious displays are obviously not aware that it is offensive to many others. I have been drawn into the hand holding and prayer twice in the past in public secular environments and am still ashamed that I allowed myself to be suckered. Never again. I won't make a big deal of it but I refuse to participate.

 

I sort of disagree. I think people who make ostentatious religious displays are VERY aware that it is offensive to many others. There is a certain smugness about people who would suggest such a thing. They are usually the same type of people who'll ask you if you'vd been "saved". They are aware that it puts people in an uncomfortable position. How could they not? This is especially true when you are dealing with people from many different backgrounds, cultures and countries. I would be astounded if someone suggested I hold their hand and pray and I would (politely, I hope) tell them I would not participate. My religious beliefs are private and not to be discussed with strangers. Indeed, religion and politics should definitely not be discussed with virtual strangers, ever.

[Athankfulheart]

I would share my faith with anyone who asks. I would not offer nor expect someone who doesn't share my faith to join me in a prayer to my God.

 

If there had been conversation prior to the meal that indicated to me that we were of the same faith, then I might invite them to join me because well, NOT inviting them might seem ill mannered in that case.

 

In general our family will simply pray. We aren't loud or grandiose in our prayers OR any other table conversation for that matter. We don't seek to draw attention to ourselves. That considered, I wouldn't cave to someone who was "offended" by our doing so whether they were at the next table or 3 away. The fact is that we can be well mannered but no matter who you are or what you do, there will ALWAYS be someone who is offended at your presence. You do your best to live considerately and know that you aren't responsible for other peoples reactions.

 

A fact that I have observed: The more "proud" you are, the more easily you are offended.

[Bankshot]

We were escorted to a table for six during an NCL Freestyle, open seating. Two couples were already there having a lively discussion. We said hello, they all looked up, then continued their conversation without even speaking. They never said a word to us during the entire dinner. When we were finished I told them, "It's been nice NOT meeting you".

[grand isle joe]

We were escorted to a table for six during an NCL Freestyle, open seating. Two couples were already there having a lively discussion. We said hello, they all looked up, then continued their conversation without even speaking. They never said a word to us during the entire dinner. When we were finished I told them, "It's been nice NOT meeting you".

 

 

 

...Good for you.......:)

[Winnigirl]

I would share my faith with anyone who asks. I would not offer nor expect someone who doesn't share my faith to join me in a prayer to my God.

 

If there had been conversation prior to the meal that indicated to me that we were of the same faith, then I might invite them to join me because well, NOT inviting them might seem ill mannered in that case.

 

In general our family will simply pray. We aren't loud or grandiose in our prayers OR any other table conversation for that matter. We don't seek to draw attention to ourselves. That considered, I wouldn't cave to someone who was "offended" by our doing so whether they were at the next table or 3 away. The fact is that we can be well mannered but no matter who you are or what you do, there will ALWAYS be someone who is offended at your presence. You do your best to live considerately and know that you aren't responsible for other peoples reactions.

 

A fact that I have observed: The more "proud" you are, the more easily you are offended.

 

There is a huge difference between people personally praying - alone or with their families, and a person suggesting that the entire table hold hands and pray. If I notice people at my table bowing their heads when their food is brought - or after a meal is over if that is their custom - then I quietly wait until they have finished their prayers, before starting to eat or converse. I don't understand your comment that being "proud" means you are easily more offended. I am offended by bad manners and being put in an uncomfortable position by a person who really should - and probably does - know better.

[momofmeg]

There is a huge difference between people personally praying - alone or with their families, and a person suggesting that the entire table hold hands and pray. If I notice people at my table bowing their heads when their food is brought - or after a meal is over if that is their custom - then I quietly wait until they have finished their prayers, before starting to eat or converse. I don't understand your comment that being "proud" means you are easily more offended. I am offended by bad manners and being put in an uncomfortable position by a person who really should - and probably does - know better.

 

I am fine with that also-although I am less obvious when I pray when I pray in public. I just feel that it shouldn't become a "show" for others. At home we pray for meals as a family but when out in public we choose to do it silently.

 

It does not bother me if tablemates do this. However, if I was asked to hold hands and pray with the group I would decline and chances are asked to be seated elsewhere.

[momofmeg]

I sort of disagree. I think people who make ostentatious religious displays are VERY aware that it is offensive to many others. There is a certain smugness about people who would suggest such a thing. They are usually the same type of people who'll ask you if you'vd been "saved". They are aware that it puts people in an uncomfortable position. How could they not? This is especially true when you are dealing with people from many different backgrounds, cultures and countries. I would be astounded if someone suggested I hold their hand and pray and I would (politely, I hope) tell them I would not participate. My religious beliefs are private and not to be discussed with strangers. Indeed, religion and politics should definitely not be discussed with virtual strangers, ever.

 

I am not sure if I mentioned this in this particualr thread but once we sat the 2 couples who asked us not to drink alcohol at dinner, they would make a big show of praying and holding hands. As you said, there was a bit of smugness about how "pious" they were. Even that I handled fine, I just did not like their offensive remarks they made about my husband and friend having alcoholic drinks at the ice show (they sat 2 rows behind us) the following night at dinner. I found it quite ironic that 3 of the 4 smoked heavily and could not sit through dinner with out taking a smoking break, but yet they could condescend to my husband and friend who are both moderate drikes. They bought 2 drinks in an evening max. Neither was ever drunk or even had a good "buzz." I think we all know which is more deterrimental to your health. Those people are the main reason we no longer choose assigned seating. Besides hubby has got into having a glass of wine at dinner, people like them would hate that-lol!