I would rather see those cards than plastic flowers gathering dust.This is just getting laughable. And you know what’s really sad... they paid someone to design and print those cards. Those cards cost as much, if not more, as plastic flowers that they can’t afford.
I would rather see those cards than plastic flowers gathering dust.
I guess this is to what Thirdrail7 was referring in his "community tables" comment in another thread.
As I mentioned, you should probably merge this with the Contemporary Dining thread since this applies to every train with Contemporary Dining...including the tiny Cardinal
Just like your family!! lolThe cards are designed to encourage community seating --- since in just about every other dining experience in America you seat with people you know. Eating with strangers can be great -- or it can be awful.
Is this a hint that Anderson and Co. may be wrong about people not wishing to sit together? Hmm. Good.Saw for the first time (take the LSL about once a month) that they are trying to encourage the community seating like the old dining card in a voluntary way. View attachment 16681View attachment 16682
It is already clear that Anderson doesn't "get it," but will never admit a mistake or publicly back down. Look for hints about changing his "mistakes" through signs like those posted here.Shoots Anderson’s millennial BS out the door. I’m sensing they know they made a huge boo boo. Anderson is too full of himself to reverse the decision and bring the crews back though. That’s assuming he really really wants Amtrak to succeed which is probably doubtful at best
"Priority seating for those who dine with fellow travelers"
"Priority"?
Priority what? I guess if you want to dine alone you are at the bottom of the list, LOL!
(Didn't see that last October on the LSL and Crescent. In fact, the dining car/sleeper lounge was sparsely populated.)
I respectfully disagree.I don't think a community seating card is going to change much in and of itself. Americans will dine with strangers when more open seating is available like bar stools and lounge chairs. It's mainly when we're expected to face each other that community seating starts to feel weird and confining. Speaking or responding to someone while seated along a counter or in a lounge chair just feels more natural. If you lose interest you can shrug it off and face another way. Booths just aren't setup to promote casual encounters.
You seem to be assuming that everyone wants to talk to strangers at dinner. That is not the case. If you are not into small talk at dinner, having strangers sitting facing you at a booth makes that situation much more awkward particularly if they are talkative. At least with the new system, you were not forced into that type of arrangement. Sounds like they are moving back toward that with "reserved" tables for those who want to "chit-chat." Not a plus for my wife or me.I respectfully disagree.
I am much more likely to talk with the people I am “forced” to share a table with on a train, than I am to the people in seats 23-A and 23-C on a plane that I am “forced” to sit next to! On my last 6 flights, I did not talk to the passengers next to me. And a few years ago, I had the middle seat on 4 flights, and did not talk to the passenger next to me!
You seem to be assuming that everyone wants to talk to strangers at dinner. That is not the case. If you are not into small talk at dinner, having strangers sitting facing you at a booth makes that situation much more awkward particularly if they are talkative. At least with the new system, you were not forced into that type of arrangement. Sounds like they are moving back toward that with "reserved" tables for those who want to "chit-chat." Not a plus for my wife or me.
I am not 'getting' this concept...are they trying to make micro "quiet zones" on some tables, and encourage socializing on other's? You pick up your meal at the counter and than choose? It seems bizarre, if I am understanding this correctly...![]()
I like the idea of being able to choose whether you want to sit with others or sit by yourself. Depending on "who" is in the sleeper lounge and which way they are seated, I may choose to sit at a community table or choose to sit by myself. I like sitting facing the direction of travel. Sometimes I am sociable and sometimes I am not.I am not 'getting' this concept...are they trying to make micro "quiet zones" on some tables, and encourage socializing on other's? You pick up your meal at the counter and than choose? It seems bizarre, if I am understanding this correctly...![]()
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