[ActorNightly]

This is a very good idea for teenagers and younger adults to break them out of the online world.

For working class though, its probably best not to force people to socialize. The thing that doesn't get talked enough about in socialization is that its not all positive, and people have different tolerance to each others bullshit.

[Arrath]

My dad had a, to teenage me, embarrassing habit of asking less-than-full tables at busy restaurants (mostly tables that looked like they'd just been seated, only drinks or maybe appetizers) if they would like some company and conversation.

It got us an invitation surprisingly often, skipping a long wait or a walk to another restaurant, and made for some interesting table talk at the same time.

[cameldrv]

This is something that is somewhat common in Frankfurt, Germany. I got to meet some interesting people this way when I visited a couple of times.

[byw]

Happened to us in Berlin on my visit. We were seated with two elderly ladies. Their English wasn't great but they were very friendly.

[2-718-281-828]

funny that you say that. i just noticed that twice today in a cafe. why frankfurt of all towns? munich makes sense for this to develop because of their biergarten culture with long benches and long tables

[cameldrv]

I used to live in Berlin and in my experience it wasn't really a thing there. For some reason it's just part of the restaurant culture in Frankfurt.

[wink]

Not too uncommon in Bavaria and Austria, if the restaurant (or especially beergarden) is quite full - the waiters will even sometimes just place you there or give you the option to leave, or wait. I wouldn't say I've seen it if there are free tables though - but I've also been to regions where this would never ever happen, where your table is yours and yours alone.

I'd say talking to the people at your table is purely optional, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[waboremo]

On the contrary, it might be crucial for the working class that is growing more isolated by the day and prevent a lot of the negative socialization you're referencing. Which imo stems from a lack of experience of handling conversations (we really do not get enough practice outside of people we already have lots of common ground with, ie our friends), and also an increased sensitivity from this isolation "choice".

[gjulianm]

I don't think that people are "inexperienced" in conversations nor that the negative socialization comes that much from not sharing a common ground. A lot of negative socialization can come from people not having an interesting conversation, or being too self-centered, or repetitive, or convoluted, or not knowing when to just leave the other person alone.

I am also skeptical of the fact that "the working class is growing more isolated by the day". Looking around my environment, it seems that the advent of social networks (FB, Whatsapp, Instagram, etc) has made it far easier to keep in contact and to organize meetings with people. I know that I would be socializing far less if the only means of communication we had were the phone and letters.

[jedberg]

As long as it's a situation where you can opt out of further interactions, it's no so bad. You meet, you decide if you want to keep talking, and then move on.

[bobthepanda]

in ye olden days you used to solve that with an understood social standard of 'polite' topics.

i would like to say, that this is at least somewhat observable today at places like work; but also, society has changed a lot.

[khazhoux]

Still common in many countries (where you never discuss religion or politics unless it’s after 2am and you’re all drunk).

Personally, I dislike the “bring your whole self to work” thing that companies like google encourage (used to?), where people talk about extremely polarizing topics on the company chat groups.

[int_19h]

It can go either way in practice. If you force someone to socialize with people they don't really like, you risk conditioning them to hate socialization in general.