Singapore Expats

sundaymorningstaple wrote:You mean like a diner? She would still have to share with the person on the stool on her left and on her right. She just wouldn't have to look at them.

yeah, but I think shes more worried about someone trying to chat her up thats why she doesnt want to share a table? at a counter, you cant really make eye contact unless it deliberate...

isnt she free, young and single now?

durain wrote:isnt she free, young and single now?

Funny boy D! Free and single- yeah. Young ? In my dreams!

I actually don't mind strangers sitting with me and i even encourage it. Good way to meet new friends...

eeks... i'd be a little freaked out if the guy i share a table with decide this is a great opportunity to 'make friends'. i don't want to make friends. i want to eat my lunch in peace!

While I see both side to this, would have to admit being one to prefer my space and err on the slightly rude side. That of course with those persons who look like they might be ignorant of basic social graces, and of course not with the aged, invalid pregnant or otherwise needy.

In the same way, if I saw a space and needed it I'd damn well take it, but if I did, would be respectful of whatever environment was there.

I guess what I'm used to from where else I've lived, that if someone did approach you to share your table, more likely than not they would be that much more respecetful of your space. I think that's true in most cases in most places. And in those cases it feels a whole lot better than the alternative.

Having said that, if someone came to my table and started getting on my nerves, they'd soon learn how that might reduce their life expectancy. The aged, etc. excluded of course.

So I would say it probably depends on you and your own personal space quotient, and you're going have to make that call at the time. To always claim more space than you should is not really right now, is it?

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Unfortunately, unless you like eating your lunch at your desk, and you don't have the leisure of taking 90 minutes for lunch, it's sad, but you almost have to do the 'when in Rome' thingy.

Sorry to say, I sit down at a table even if it's "choped". I just thrown the offending tissues away and sit down.

But frankly, I would never stop anybody from joining me at a table. If I wanted peace & quiet I would by my lunch as a take away and eat it elsewhere like a park or back in my office.

aargon wrote:

sundaymorningstaple wrote:You mean like a diner? She would still have to share with the person on the stool on her left and on her right. She just wouldn't have to look at them.

yeah, but I think shes more worried about someone trying to chat her up thats why she doesnt want to share a table? at a counter, you cant really make eye contact unless it deliberate...

Maybe ozchick should just stay at home instead of dining out period. I think its pretty presumptuous on her part to think that people are just dying to make conversation with her! Sorry, but you must have a pretty inflated opinion of yourself. And they say S'poreans are selfish and bad mannered? Hogging an entire table is just selfish and wrong unless the place is empty or you're in a restaurant where you're really not required to share.

As for people talking on cellphones at a food court? I hate them myself but appreciate that they're pretty much a given in today's world. Deal with it; it's called life!


I've shared many a table at a food court and rarely do people I don't know try to strike up a conversation with me or vice versa. We're too intent on our food and our thoughts.

Post traumatic nerves and paranoia after the breakup Ozchick! Crikey I scare everyone away myself, especially on the buses, every time i sit next to someone, they move, I thought i had BO or something, but a quick sniff, tells the truth!

It's the wandering wolves you have to be careful of! Mostly expat's looking to score! I suggest you go to the hawker centre meet some real men, but take your Singlish translator with you!

EADG wrote:

would have to admit being one to prefer my space and err on the slightly rude side.

You're from New York!!!!! How can you be anything but rude!

(Luckily we've met and I know you're not! Are you sure you're not from Jersey?)

Global Citizen wrote:
Maybe ozchick should just stay at home instead of dining out period. I think its pretty presumptuous on her part to think that people are just dying to make conversation with her!

I've shared many a table at a food court and rarely do people I don't know try to strike up a conversation with me or vice versa.

Ozchick must be a real chick to be hit on all the time . . . lucky her!

As for you, GC . . . I would strike up a conversation with you in a heartbeat, but you know that already

Only if you had nothing to do with the boogers!

Global Citizen wrote: And they say S'poreans are selfish and bad mannered?

I've never heard that Singaporeans are selfish and bad mannered. I don't find them that way at all. It's ME who has that problem!
But fear not GC! I've already admonished myself on this thread and I'm preparing to turn over a new leaf! Yep here's my plan!
This Saturday morning I have some errands to run in Orchard Rd so after that's done, I'm gonna find a food-court where there's lots of empty tables but am I gonna choose one of those? NO WAY! I'm doin' the sharing thing! I'm gonna find a table for 4 that already has 3 people sitting chatting happily away and I'm gonna go sit with THEM! And I will be discreet and unobtrusive and focus on my own eating- and reading- Cleo's centrefold of the month! And in case the others at my table think that I'm eavesdropping I'm gonna hum the Singapore National Anthem quietly to myself so that they have their privacy. And I won't leave before they do cos they might think I don't like them! Instead, I'll just go through my morning's purchases, take out my tape-measure and measure that gadget that I bought from that sex shop in Orchard Rd to make sure the dimensions are as specified by the shop assistant.
Oh yeah those dudes at my table are gonna be talking about my 'sharing' for weeks to come!

ozchick wrote:
I've never heard that Singaporeans are selfish and bad mannered. I don't find them that way at all. It's ME who has that problem!
But fear not GC! I've already admonished myself on this thread and I'm preparing to turn over a new leaf! Yep here's my plan!
This Saturday morning I have some errands to run in Orchard Rd so after that's done, I'm gonna find a food-court where there's lots of empty tables but am I gonna choose one of those? NO WAY! I'm doin' the sharing thing! I'm gonna find a table for 4 that already has 3 people sitting chatting happily away and I'm gonna go sit with THEM! And I will be discreet and unobtrusive and focus on my own eating- and reading- Cleo's centrefold of the month! And in case the others at my table think that I'm eavesdropping I'm gonna hum the Singapore National Anthem quietly to myself so that they have their privacy. And I won't leave before they do cos they might think I don't like them! Instead, I'll just go through my morning's purchases, take out my tape-measure and measure that gadget that I bought from that sex shop in Orchard Rd to make sure the dimensions are as specified by the shop assistant.
Oh yeah those dudes at my table are gonna be talking about my 'sharing' for weeks to come!

Looks like a plan of revenge to me

ozchick wrote:

Global Citizen wrote: And they say S'poreans are selfish and bad mannered?

I've never heard that Singaporeans are selfish and bad mannered. I don't find them that way at all. It's ME who has that problem!
But fear not GC! I've already admonished myself on this thread and I'm preparing to turn over a new leaf! Yep here's my plan!
This Saturday morning I have some errands to run in Orchard Rd so after that's done, I'm gonna find a food-court where there's lots of empty tables but am I gonna choose one of those? NO WAY! I'm doin' the sharing thing! I'm gonna find a table for 4 that already has 3 people sitting chatting happily away and I'm gonna go sit with THEM! And I will be discreet and unobtrusive and focus on my own eating- and reading- Cleo's centrefold of the month! And in case the others at my table think that I'm eavesdropping I'm gonna hum the Singapore National Anthem quietly to myself so that they have their privacy. And I won't leave before they do cos they might think I don't like them! Instead, I'll just go through my morning's purchases, take out my tape-measure and measure that gadget that I bought from that sex shop in Orchard Rd to make sure the dimensions are as specified by the shop assistant.
Oh yeah those dudes at my table are gonna be talking about my 'sharing' for weeks to come!

Sounds more like she's gone around the bend. I'd be more interested to know the whereabouts of a food court on Orchard Road on a Saturday that has plenty of empty tables...

Hey farm boy- you there? Can I borrow your avatar?
Think I'm gonna need it!

I think you are gonna need more than just a pair of waders. You might need a shovel to dig yerself outta that hole!