Do you get offered a table and a booth?

Most people don't think I weigh as much as i do but the fact is I am a little butterball. (Not turkey)-lol.  I am round and it makes it difficult to sit in a booth where the table doesn't move or the bench. So why do they insist in walking you around the restraurant until they find a booth that fits? I tried the booth when my original request was to sit at a table.  But of course the tables they had in this restraurant had only 6 place settings.

Let me know if you get offered both tables and booths? How you handle getting the table in the first place?

I always ask for a booth cuz I like the coziness of them but I'm sure if I couldn't fit into the space between bench and table I'd make a point to be sat at a regular table from the get go.

Just like I'd specifically ask for seating by the window or a booth.

PS: I had times when my tummy was grazing the table in a booth not fun at all and quite uncomfortable. Don't even ask about getting up afterwards....argh!

I generally always ask for a table, unless it's a place I know I can fit into. It's so embarrassing trying to get into a booth that doesn't fit and then having to move to a table. BUT it's a motivator to get this weight off!

Original Post by tanyamoniq:

I generally always ask for a table, unless it's a place I know I can fit into. It's so embarrassing trying to get into a booth that doesn't fit and then having to move to a table. BUT it's a motivator to get this weight off!

I normally leave a tip of a 1.00 if the bill is under 5.00 which is a 20% or above tip.  My bill at this restraurant today was .50 cents with the bill being 3.35.  So do you think she figured it out?

 

Oh Heavenly, you're funny.  Probably not though.  If she wasn't listening to your original request she probably didn't connect the dots with the tip either.

Oh, and yes, I do usually get asked that question.  I normally eyeball the booth and if I think I can fit then I usually opt for it...otherwise...it's table city for me.

I used to find some booths a little tight too (especially at older restaurants). Ironically, since losing half my excess weight, I rarely go to restaurants! I'd probably fit fine now, but I'm not there... :)

And bizarrely, even at 240 lbs (BMI 36.5, class 2 obesity), I sometimes felt too small for booths, especially at chain restaurants in the US. I think many so-called "fast casual" restaurants are trying to adapt to larger customers - by which I mean morbid obesity (BMI 40+) or even super-morbid obesity (BMI 50+). I worry about this sometimes, considering that these restaurants offer such incredibly high-calorie food...that it might be perpetuating the problem.

It was very weird feeling "thin" in the States and simply HUGE in Europe - at the same size.

This is a quandry because I have trouble standing so the stableness of a booth is welcome over a table.  But you have the issue of squeezing into a booth which is definitely an issue of mine too.

Boy, I feel like I have this down to a science.  When asked, I always first look at the base of the table to see if its attached so it can be shifted away form me. 

Ive switced from booth to table and vice versa based on fit.  Its easy to do very early on before your brought utensils and drinks and since I always go during off hours - hate restaurant crowds, not as big an issue.  For someone like me who rarely eats out, little things like that are more of an issue because its more of an occasion to me.

I don't usually mind which one I get - if I do get a booth the only part of me that seems to hang over the table is my boobs. I have lost 11 pounds so far and I think I lost it all from my chest area!! But I can definitely see where the problem is. Certain restaurants that don't allow any room between the bench and the table I have had to move the table out until I can get in, then I can usually pull it back once I am settled.

I swear though, these places like Texas Roadhouse that won't give their nutrition info (probably because all their food is so bad that people wouldn't eat there if they knew the truth) have the smallest booth sittings, its ridiculous. I did eat a salad there one time thinking that it would be okay....it was like 900 calories for a salad!!!! And they wonder why half of the population is obese.

Well for most of my life (I'm 38 now) I was always very slender until age 36, so-- most of my life whenever I went out with family or friends to a restuarant I was always offered a table or a booth- I always just thought that it was a option given to me because the server thought that I might have a preference, not due to weight, because as I said- I was skinny, so I don't know what is in the servers mind- I can't read minds, but I really don't care what they think anyway-- just be glad to have a place to sit & hope it fits for you so you can enjoy your meal & company :)

I am fat AND claustrophobic, so I always ask for a table.

=^..^= MOLLY

Hee hee... I just reread the title of this thread and thought "I think I'd actually get offended if I were offered a table AND a booth!" (i.e they think I'm so big, I need both at once)  ;)

I think it's just another question or comment that's been blown up. Most times they just ask. It's a question that's been burnt into their head. I'm maintaining 103-105lbs. Even when I was carrying a baby I was asked which I'd like. As well as prebaby 113lbs.  I seriously don't think weight has anything to do with whether or not they ask. I think it's odd that someone would consider it a weight related question. It's as mundane as " Smoking or none-smoking section? " It's not like they're saying "You look like a smoker. " It's just a question they're trained to ask.

My suggestion is to just learn to be very direct with those you speak with about what you want. It's easier on them and yourself rather than hoping the catch your drift or just give you what you want by chance. Or thinking if you slip them a lil cash under the table they'll oblige. There is nothing troublesome about being direct.

I have a strange story that sorta suits this topic though. Once when I was a teenager my uncle asked me to help him clean his house for my aunt. He wanted to surprise her with a perfectly clean house, when she got home from work one Friday so they could have a carefree weekend. I though ' kewl summer cash. ' So of course I cleaned and cleaned. The kitchen was the worst area so I took all the chairs out of the dining area. I swept/scrubbed/mopped/polished the floors. In that order to because this wasn't a ' once over ' job. It was seriously nasty. Then I put everything back all the little tables, chairs around the big table ect ect. 

However, whens she came home the first thing she did was scream " WTF is your PROBLEM " To  my uncle. Yelling and screaming at him like he KNEW why she was angry. I just cowered down the kitchen steps into the laundry room. Trying to avoid their conversation because she was so livid. Only to hear her say " You know I can't fit in the ones with the arms. WHY Do you KEEP reminding ME HOW FAT I AM?!?! " I felt so bad. It hadn't occured to me the end chairs were towards the back for a reason. My poor uncle was given the tongue lashing of a lifetime. For nothing. A sweet gestured turned rotten. I had no idea the one with arms had been cast towards the back so nobody would see them. To make her feel less insecure. I didn't even notice I had corrected it. I just placed them they way that they're meant to be setup.Chairs with arms on ends and chairs without in the middle. I felt so horrible and so did my poor uncle. He just kept trying to calm her down. " No no no honey, I know. I know that. listen... I was trying " Her: " Trying to hint for me to LOSE WIEGHT?! " She didn't even apolgize for bitching him out. It went on and on.. Till she just stormed off and I helped him rearrange the chairs. I still don't get all the fuss. It wasn't anyones fault or ploy against her. It was just something little blown up. So I think people that're insecure just take things the wrong way blowing stuff up. More so than someone secure in themselves.

I don't think my aunt was really mad at my uncle. Or me. I just think it made her feel really insecure so she lashed out. So with all of this booth and table nonesense. I just hope you guys speak with people directly, so you get your message across.That way you get seated where you wanted to be. Rather than making someone feel inadequate for seating you incorrectly according to your preferance/needs.  There's nothing troublesome in just being direct. Don't eat the pork when you ordered the chicken. Same goes with seating arrangements.

enchantingimage, I agree that speaking out sometimes good, but it is hard to stand there and say, "I don't want a booth because I'm way too fat".

Of course you can always ask for a table immediately to sidestep this whole mess.  If they are reluctant to seat you at a table for any reason, leave.  You don't need to make a big scene, but you can always use the claustrophobia excuse to avoid embarrasment.

I don't think the OP is suggesting that hosts/hostesses ought to be mind-readers and somehow know if you prefer a booth or a table.

She's just asking for the sharing of common experiences with this issue and strategies for avoiding being placed at a booth or table that would be uncomfortable/impractical.

I used to have trouble fitting into some booths. Not so much anymore.  But I do get backaches if I sit in seats that don't provide good support.  So I will just look around and try to assess quickly which would be best.  Sometimes the booth seems a better choice, sometimes a table.  But whichever I choose, I just say, "I'd really prefer a (whichever) if you can manage that." *smile*  If she hesitates and tries to suggest the opposite I just say, "mmm no, I really would rather sit in a (whichever)" *smile*  And then "Thank you so much for your help." after she obliges.

This has worked well for me. 

Yeah. That's what I'm saying Nonoreexcuses. It's easy enough to sidestep the conversation, leading it to your preference just like so. It's never troublesome to be direct. My advice to avoid it was just that to tell them then insist on your preference. More times than not they'll oblige gladly. They don't want to detour good business.

A server's perspective: When a host or server leads you to a table, there is a reason they chose that table (at least at my restaurant) We have a rotation, each server needs to get an equal amount of tables. Luckily for us, we have a variety of tables/booths in each section. And as an apology for all servers, no one means to (or should) give you attitude about asking for a different seat, sometimes it just gets frustrating when someone asks for a different spot, seemingly for no reason, especially when our booths also have chairs and our chairs are all the same. Sorry, but for all of the venting about rude servers, there are an infinite amount of rude customers. And if you want to make a point to a server, mention your problem to the server or manager, a crappy tip just makes you look bad. (We all know tips are a reflection of service, but that doesn't always happen) So besides my venting, good luck to everyone on their weight loss!!

This has nothing to do with this but when my mom was pregneat with my brother. We had gone to have breakfeast with my bestie Alexsis to Denny's. We sat on those "Table and Bench" thingys, and I was so embarassed when my mom didn't fit. I like walked away and I was like "Who's that lady!" I was so embarassed, I was probablly more embrassed than my mom.

 I agree, Smvinz. It goes both ways.

Original Post by trustwomen:

I used to find some booths a little tight too (especially at older restaurants). Ironically, since losing half my excess weight, I rarely go to restaurants! I'd probably fit fine now, but I'm not there... :)

And bizarrely, even at 240 lbs (BMI 36.5, class 2 obesity), I sometimes felt too small for booths, especially at chain restaurants in the US. I think many so-called "fast casual" restaurants are trying to adapt to larger customers - by which I mean morbid obesity (BMI 40+) or even super-morbid obesity (BMI 50+). I worry about this sometimes, considering that these restaurants offer such incredibly high-calorie food...that it might be perpetuating the problem.

It was very weird feeling "thin" in the States and simply HUGE in Europe - at the same size.

Hold up...I know ppl are smaller in Europe. In fact I'm headed out there next week......but you saying you feel thin in the U.S at 240 totally shocked me.

Really?

I promise I'm not being facetious - it's just that I've lived in the states most of my life and for the 2 years that I was 240 I never felt thin. Less fat perhaps. But not thin. In fact I was usually one of the chubbiest people around in social settings.

I've lived in Boston, New York, and DC. Perhaps it's a regional thing...what part of the country do you live? 

Actually, I just meant that some restaurant booths were too big for me, even at 240. I had to scooch closer to the table, and my back didn't touch the back of the booth. It made me feel like the booth was made for someone who weighed 340 or 440, not 240.

In no way did I feel thin in the general sense. Although I didn't feel quite so out of place, or especially freakish, in the US like I remember feeling in Spain, for instance.

I lived in NYC. But not among the model-thin wealthy or hipster New Yorkers - rather, among the overweight working stiffs. :)  

I was usually NOT the chubbiest person around - I'm 5'8" and strong, I wore a size 18-22. (18 for vanity sized clothes, 20-22 realistically).