I have noticed that communal dining in the US is just not very popular at all. Why is this?

It is a very popular concept when it comes to drinking and snacking like at bars...but communal tables in proper restaurants are not very common.

How do you feel about communal dining? Would it bother you to be seated at a table of strangers? Or do you think this would be a fun way to dine out?

Personally I like it...and I often do not like the overcrowding and discomfort many tables in a dining room brings. My husband and I dined out the other night...it was a GREAT meal btw..but it was a tiny little restaurant and they had all these tables packed in..when our waitress spoke to the other tables she basically had to put her bum at our heads. Not to mention I could hear what everybody else was chatting about etc. because they were sitting right next to us anyways...might as well all been at one table.
I also feel it brings a more social and festive aspect to the meal and sometimes you are in the mood to go out and feast and celebrate for no other reason then it is fun to go out and eat.

I personally love communal dining. There is a great little place next to where I work where they have several very long tables, and people end up "communal dining" because it is always packed at lunchtime. I think it is great, and it can be an interesting way to meet new people. I think there could be a place for it in American culture, but there is also a time and a place for non-communal dining (like a first date).

Interesting topic, Bucket. I'm trying to think of the last time I had a communal dining experience. I've been to the occasional large group get-together, with a big table for a special occasion (like New Year's). There was also a Luau I went to, but other than that I think the last time was Korea. The Asians are pretty big into communal dining...and I really like it. Maybe there's a business opportunity here.

I'm considering why we don't do this in America. Maybe we're naturally more reclusive? Or, maybe it has something to do with our style of individual tipping, rather than the servers receiving a standard wage? I've noticed that restaurants here really want you in and out as fast as possible, so the servers will make more money. When tips aren't involved, there isn't the same atmosphere to rush, rather they encourage you to stay for hours because they make the same amount either way. It's also much more enjoyable for the diners... Of course, fewer meals in a night mean less money for the restaurant, so maybe there is something to that. Communal dining would probably be similar to the no-tip model, with a single rate for a meal, service included, and the people would stay a long while.

I wouldn't mind it- but do folks really want to sit next to our little angels Mrs P? LOL

I hadn't thought of that. That's probably yet another reason the idea hasn't caught on very well here.

My 18 month old is very sociable, and always wants to share his meal with whomever he is sitting beside, and that includes wearing what he is eating......LOL

Well, I'm going to be a stick in the mud and say that I would not enjoy a communal dining experience. I am naturally introverted and shy around people that I don't know, and I would be extremely uncomfortable in a situation like that.

When I go out to dinner, it's because I want to talk to the people that I already know and enjoy being around. There's no way that I could accomplish that with a crowd of strangers around. I don't even like to talk to my husband in the grocery checkout line because I don't want to advertise what I'm talking about. Like anyone would care.

Am I missing out on meeting some rather interesting people? Possibly, but I have always managed to find other ways to surround myself with interesting people.

Something about space and privacy or individuality? I have always wondered myself.

I personally enjoy it from time to time, not always but occassionally. I like the idea of having good conversation with complete strangers over a good meal just to keep things interesting. Of course the people you are sitting with are very important, but I have had good experiences with communal dining so far.

In fact, I was eating at Taylor's Refresher in St. Helena this past Friday with a buddy after a bike ride in Napa and in the interest of getting directly under the heat lamps (because spandex doesn't keep you very warm unless you are working out) we sat across from another couple. They were down for the long weekend from somewhere in far northern california and we had a pretty good conversation over an hour or so. It was pretty easy to find something to talk about, wine always makes a good topic, especially when in Napa Valley. It was a really good time and made a good meal a great one.

I'm not always in the mood to be social like that, but it is a welcome change of pace from time to time. My wife on the other hand will give anyone regardless of who they are 15 minutes of her time for a conversation, I'm a social hermit compared to her.

Wouldn't work in the UK, of course. If you go in with a group of friends, you'll talk to them. If you go in alone, you'll keep yourself to yourself. Just like on the Tube.

Communal dining isn't very common here, though I've seen & done it a couple of times (always at Japanese restaurants in London, oddly enough - Wagamama in Fitzrovia and a big Sushi bar in Canary Wharf). Both times I went in with a group for a business lunch and didn't speak to a soul outside the group (except the staff).

It might be different in the evenings when the sake flows, however.

I have to agree with Cyan. I'm just not comfortable around people in general, so I prefer an intimate dining experience with my better half.

Frankly, I much prefer "meeting" people here in cyberspace rather than in the real world.

I like it...if there were such a place around here I would frequent it for lunch. But, I'm one of those people who strikes up conversations with people wherever I'm at, anyway....you know, that person y'all wish would go away (No, hopefully not THAT person....rather, that nice man you talked with at the grocery store ). I have invited strangers to sit down at my table if the restaurant is crowded (one communal table, coming up!)

Not sure if this is related or not...but I also frequently stop and help out total strangers, as well (yes, some of us conservatives actually do that).

FWIW: This habit apparently caused a lot of consternation in NYC...I noticed people actually crossing the street to get away from me as I approached them, and then crossing back after they had passed me. Apparently, my reputation preceeded me! (I imagine my habit of making eye contact contributed, as well). I bring this up, because I wonder how much environmental influence there would be on this....people from smaller towns being more prone to talk to strangers, and therefore more accepting of the communal table. just a thought....

My wife loves Hibachi style Japanese restaurants, where a chef plays around on a stainless steel grill, cooks your food and performs minor stunts. These Benihana (Sp?) style restaurants are always set up for group seating.

The funny thing is that I always go in with trepidation about having to be polite with strangers and by the end I always (unless I am with a large group) enjoy the experience and have real conversation with my dinner guests. And I live in neighborhoods for years without learning the names of my neighbors.

I like taking my daughter to these type places. I took her once a couple of years ago, when she was about 4. It was getting late, and they had a couple of seats left at one of the tables, so asked us to sit there instead of opening a new table up just for us. The two seats were at opposite ends of the table, so the group there was getting up to rearrange themselves to give us two seats together. Lena asked what they were doing, and I told her, and added, as a joke 'unless you want to go sit by yourself down there.'. So, she immediately tromped off and seated herself. I asked the people sitting there if they minded, which they didn't. Turns out they were grandparents taking out their grand kids for dinner. Lena was very well behaved (thankfully )...and a good time was had by all.

So, I guess she's a future communal diner herself.

Not sure if it's small towns, but talking (or at least 'hello') to strangers is very prevelant in the American south. We vacationed in Hilton Head after living in the UK for a while and my wife and I used to bet how long it would take for a stranger to say hello. Usually we didn't make it from the car into wherever we were going. Love that. Started doing it in my neighborhood in Scotland and it really freaked people out. So I kept doing it - lots of fun with a big American accented "Hi - How you doing today! Love this rain, eh!" - neighbors knew that we were crazy anyway.

Eating at pubs is sort of communal eating, if you belly up to the bar and talk to strangers. In central Europe they sometimes seat you to fill the table, even at some places - makes for interesting conversation. Last time I was in Prague I practiced my french over pints of yummy ale and big schnitzel with a really nice couple from Paris. They sat one couple across from the other, so you really had to talk to each other.

So, Julian, it is true that English people tend to be quite reserved and
reticent?

Personally, I would welcome a communal dining experience. I like meeting
new people, and what better place to do it. Though, I must say, I do not
enjoy talking with drunk people.

I too, am a fan of communal dining. I warm up to strangers pretty fast and find that conversations with them can be most interesting. Although there aren't many places here that offer this type of experience, I am lucky enough to engage in communal dining at business conferences.

Praise the lord and pass the Meeeeeaaaatttt!

Thanks for all the responses..I am pleasantly surprised with the current outcome

Must admit I started this topic for ulterior motives..as I am becoming a restaurateur! Finally figured out what I wanna be when I grow-up. Not gonna share my vision yet tho till it has become reality..we have been working on the concept/menu/plans feverishly ...I have an immense emotional attachment now and feel the need to protect this as if it were my baby.

I agree Hobbes I think this kind of style of dining would work well in a small town kind of place...that is probably why it works in NYC as they have themselves all divvied up into villages.
Also after you mentioned that and the southern hospitality factor..I realized I had also come across communal dining at BBQ places.

How cool, Bucket!!
I must be psychic.

We're most likely moving to Arlington this summer, so I'll be around your area (Washington DC, if I recall?) . Hope you'll open your restaurant while we're there.

Me thinks you just smart.



Oh goody...the east coasters get Mrs P .... we most definitely will have to meet up. I hope it doesn't take forever to implement too...but we are seeking property right now..gawd that is so depressing as you shall soon find out. This area is just crazy when it comes to real estate.

I always love places that do this. The loooooong tables with everyone together. You meet new people and generally have a good time.

Occasionally you'll run into that obnoxious idiot who won't shut up, even with his wife kicking dents in his shins. However, unless you're dining in the St. Louis area you won't likely run into me.