Across from him because I want to have a conversation (especially on the first few dates). If it's a square table with 4 chairs I might sit so we're in an L so our conversation is a little closer but I never understand the people who take a booth and then both sit on the same side...I like to look at the eyes of the person I'm talking to.

Sitting across from someone makes the conversation easier, but eye contact can sometimes be unnerving. I'm not a big fan of it.

Across

Across on the first few dates, then next to once in a relationship.

If you're alone, it just seems more normal to sit across from each other. But when you're with another couple, it seems to be more sensible to be sitting on the same side.

My fiancee thinks it's weird if we sit beside each other unless there are other people at the table hehe

If it's someone I don't know very well, across. If it's someone I know well and like a lot, I want to sit next to him. RIGHT next to him.

my husband and I sit next to each other when we go out as often as we can (sometimes you can't do that at a table for two). at home we sit adjacent to each other at the corner of our dining room table.

Sometimes across, but I usually like setting next to them

If it's just the two of us, across. If there is another couple, next to.

I need space for myself to feel comfortable and to eat. I'm very picky about eating, I need light and I like space. I don't find dinner to be very romantic, I think getting drinks somewhere is better for closeness, or else the movies.

both? depends on the table and the view from the window.

Across.....unless there are other people at the table then we sit next to each other.

Across for dinner, but if we order dessert, than I'll sit next to him

across.. definitely. it's kind of annoying when you go somewhere and a couple has taken up a booth and they're sitting next to each other! lol

Next to! I like holding hands at the table

He's left handed and I'm right handed... we always end up sitting where we keep bumping elbows. Doh!

across- I like looking at him and talking to him, but if we're at a square table I like to sit at an angle near him so I can be closer

me and my boy sit across from one another.
It can be sexier that way, definitely.

but I love sitting next to him sometimes.

Its always nice to have your own side though

Across from each other.

Generally, next to. I like the closer proximity.

If we go out on a double date, or with friends, I'll sit next to him. Otherwise, I prefer across.

oh god ... my boyfriend and i keep a mental list of all things we mutually hate -- and one of them is lovey-dovey couples who SIT ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE BOOTH.

how??! why?!! ... just WHY?? not in the deepest darkest corners of my mind can i even begin to comprehend the logic behind this ridiculous seating arrangement. when i see a couple sitting on one side of one table i truly have to physically stop myself from laughing.

no but really, you can't force yourself to sit like two adults and have an eye to eye conversation for 45 minutes of your life? you just HAVE to be mere inches away from each other and touching each other at all times of the day? nauseating.

ha sorry, i just have a few pet peeves that drive me insane and this is one of the major ones. luckily my boyfriend shares my sentiments.

Across because its more room to eat and better converstaion position.

across, it really bugs me when I see someone next to their s.o. while dining.

next to. i love being closer to my boooo

Across. If I'm gonna spend forever primping I want him to see ME damn it. Oh, and eye contact and face-to-face conversation are good, too. It doesn't bother me when other people do it though leave them alone. Sheesh.

mack2600, how about you stop generalizing for a second and realize there are couples who indeed have deep, adult conversations but just like to sit next to each other because their comfort and intimacy level in public is maybe, just, maybe different from yours?

It peeves me that people actually care how other couples who are not them like to sit themselves. It's ridiculous.

I'm very particular on this. I like to sit across, unless its in a place that has curved booth seating.

Awwww, poor Mack2600. If you and your boyfriend had a relationship similar to our marriage, you would probably like to sit next to each other. You would comprehend.

Though sitting next to him means I get more kisses, across means we talk more.

I agree with Mack2600--huge faux pas. I'm in an amazing relationship right now, but sitting next to my boyfriend would make me one of those people. ;D

We usually sit across, but if it's a loud place, we sit next to each other. I'm soft-spoken and don't like to repeat myself.
Plus, I'm not scared of his cooties...

mack2600 I really don't think it's fair of you to say that! My boyfriend and I have been together for over 2 years, so I think we know how to make eye contact regardless of wheather or not sit beside each other!

We sit beside each other, but it's not because we can't make eye contact. For one, I usually HATE yelling across a table at each other (espeically at those HUGE WIDE ones), and because I hate having to hunch over a table towards each other to try and have a conversation. PLUS I read that men open up more when you are sitting SIDE BY SIDE. Actally, I think I read that on here And they gave examples like sitting in a car together or side by side @ a table

maybe if i didnt know the person very well i might want to be across from them, but my boyfriend and i always sit next to each other if possible. not sure why, we just do. we touch each other's legs a lot and stuff, just being affectionate, and touch each other's arms when telling a story and whatnot so maybe that's why. it's nice and intimate. (that's at a aquare table, by the way. in a booth we each take a side, we don't snuggle in together)

Wow, I never would have imagined people were so offended by 'those people'. Mind you I also don't understand why people hate PDAs so much either.

It depends on the setting.

mack2600, tons of people sit next to each other because it is more intimate on some occasions. Maybe there was a death in the family, a bad day, or maybe you desire to be close -- that certainly doesn't mean that the couple can't stand to not be touching for 45 minutes -- hell, maybe thats the only chance they'll have that day. How is that laughable or amusing in the slightest? If you were truly happy with someone, sitting next to each other at dinner is not clingy...it's getting to "know" each other again, it's unwinding. Some people do it across from each other, some people do it next to each other. Guess what? I sit next to my BF of two years at dinner sometimes. Do I give a sh*t if people think that's funny or think we're weird because we're IN LOVE? HELL NO. I'm a grown woman with a man I'm going to marry -- so we make eye contact all the time...it's not like I'm so afraid to do something so simple. Maybe one day you'll be in a relationship with someone YOU do that with, and you'll soon realize it's not as ridiculous as you think.

Anyyyyway, yes, I sit nect to my BF on occasion. It really depends on the day and the environment.

Oh, another comment got me thinking about PDA and why people hate it.

A woman tapped me on the shoulder, after my boyfriend gave me ONE kiss, not long or anything, just a kiss on the lips and said "Ya know, people who should affection in public are more likely to get divorced". I told her that she was a bitter woman who likes getting into other people's business and to f*ck off. A kiss means I will be getting divorced. Nice to know.

ew. i hate it when couples sit right next to each other if it's just the two of them. it shouldn't bother me, but it does. i think it's because i need my personal space to eat. i'm like a cat...do not touch me when i'm eating. haha

Across I'm not THAT needy...

We usually make fun of people for sitting on the same side of the booth. I always say something like "I wish you loved me enough to sit on the same side of the table with me", jokingly of course. I just prefer to sit across, it makes the conversation easier.

I think sitting next to my S.O. is weird. How am I supposed to look at him while eating? Also I feel weird with all the extra space at the table. The exception is if we're coming from shopping and have a bunch of stuff to dump in the booth with us.

I like next to because I have a strange issue with people watching me eat. I should probably get help for this, as it seems most of the commenters would be inclined to make fun of me.

I love sitting next to. There is something about rubbing arms. Very romantic.

Wow. I guess I'm part of one of those "annoying" couples that like to sit next to each other. I prefer it this way because I can hear him better in a loud restaurant, instead of having to shout, "What? WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Plus, it's just more intimate.

I had no idea that the fact even bothered so many people. Really, who cares how your seating arrangement is? To each his own, right? This argument is silly, really.

Yeah, I never knew sitting next to my boyfriend would annoy the whole restaurant. Wow....

whoa there, i didn't realize my rant became so popular. no need to get upset, i was just venting. it's my own opinion, of course. but i do find it amusing and yes i do indeed laugh, if i have an impulse to laugh at something then apparently my brain finds it funny and i'm not quite sure i can do much to prevent that.

and i didn't say to have "adult conversations", i meant in order to hold a conversation like adults should. it's just the way i was raised, both my grandparents and parents are unfortunately obsessed with etiquette in all forums of society. i was taught that displaying affection in public is not only tacky but unattractive and that there are places to showcase your love for one another and places where it is inappropriate and lowbrow. i'm just programmed to think that way by now, sorry to offend.

and yes to each his own, that's great i'm all for people doing whatever they want -- that doesn't mean i won't laugh when i see it or find it weird. and designerel you may be annoying the entire restaurant but like chrstne said: who cares? most things you do in your life you're probably offending some outlandish percentage of the population, it's bound to happen. just go on not caring about the people like me who hate it.

it depends. sometimes i'm in the mood to flirt with him and have eye contact and sometimes if i'm sad i wanna be able to hug. mostly though, i love sitting across.

We sit next to each other at our own dining table (so we can both see the tv... hahahahaha) but opposite each other wherever possible when 'in the field'.