Table sharing

Table sharing is the practice of seating multiple separate parties (individual customers or groups of customers) who may not know each other at a single restaurant table.

By practicing table sharing, two (or more) groups of customers who may not know each other sit together at a table in a restaurant, and are able to get a table faster than waiting for the first group to finish. However, in many cultures, the act of sharing food with another person is a highly emotionally charged act; even in cultures which take a more casual attitude towards it, sharing a table with strangers in a restaurant can create some awkwardness.

Table sharing is a common practice in busy restaurants in Japan. In Japanese culture, being invited to a person's home to share a meal is rather uncommon and indicates a close relationship. However, sharing a table in public with strangers is just a routine occurrence with no special meaning. It is an example of how Japanese concepts of personal space are adapted to crowded urban living conditions.

The custom of table sharing (Chinese: 搭枱) is also widespread in old-style yum cha Chinese restaurants, dai pai dongs and cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and parts of China. The Chinese restaurant process, referring to certain in probability theory, is a mathematical allusion to this custom.

Harry G. Shaffer reported in the 1960s that it was a common practice in Soviet restaurants. He used the opportunity of being seated with strangers to strike up conversations with his fellow diners.

Table sharing is also practiced in Germany, but mostly in informal or festive settings like in a beer hall, and rarely in restaurants.

Restaurants in Italy, unless very informal, do not usually practice table sharing. However sagras, popular festivals mostly involving food, and celebrations for local patron saints are very common throughout the country. In these occasions it is customary to share big tables in ample outdoor spaces.

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