Law-Forums.org

[teyo]

imagine yourself in a church. you take your seat, then a person approaches you and says, "that's my seat." do you leave and give way? in a restaurant, perhaps it's a rule that once you took a table and ordered, it's "your seat." how about in other public places? like churches, park benches, etc? when exactly is a seat somebody else's? if a person leaves a public seat (like in a church) then comes back after 1 minute, is that seat still "his seat"? when is it okay to claim a seat as yours? although this problem seems trivial, i have found myself in this situation so many times and i have begun to wonder when it is ctually alright to claim a public seat as yours. it seems our etiquette books don't have a steadfast rule on seating arrangements. haha. so perhaps you can help me out instead?

[caomh]

I would think, first come first served. When someone leaves there seat and you take that place that does not mean it is still there's. However when that someone comes back and asked politely for this seat back, I would have no problem standing up and getting another seat. On the other hand, if this person claims it is there seat, I won't stand up unless I find there name on it. Fair is fair. This is the way I think about it.

[galvin]

i think of it the same way. unfortnately, my friends don't. but perhaps the scenario is a little different. we were in a friend's house and hanging out, watching tv. one of my friends went out. i then took her seat because it's been 15 minutes and she hasn't been back. whe she returned, she said, "that's my seat." i really did not know what to do... till when will it be her seat? till the end of the day? till next day? when i get up and leave for 15 minutes, is my seat is still mine or is it up for grabs? well, despite my confusion, i had to give in. but it got me thinking... there really are things that i still do not get when it comes to property rights. ^_^ you're right, i believe that fair is indeed fair. it's just hard sometimes to say what's fair and what's not...

[fychan97]

When I am studying in my college,the seat is always not enough,specially during the exam time.So we are striving seat to study,of course,there are rules.Our principle is like this:when a person leaves for some reason,for example,for his or her dinner,if he or she leave something(a book,a cup,and so on) on the desk or seat identifying his or her position,the seat is his or hers;no one will take this seat.However,if the person leaves too long a time,for example,overnight,the manager or cleaner of the room will take his leaving away,and anybody can sit on this seat.The fact proves that this common rule do work well.

[tate8]

Being in someones house, can make it pretty confusing too. I would probably say: "Sorry you stood up, I don't see your name here." I would say it with a laugh and watch for the reaction, don't like having arguments. Normally the person will then sit somewhere else. As for school, yes that is the way they do it here too. Put something on the desk, then others know the seat is taken. Take care, happy mylotting

[lintun]

hi, marga! haha yes, it's possible to say that to friends who want to take your seat away. i really hope it doesn't happen to me often. like you, i don't like arguing with friends. if i were sittig somewhere and i stood up to use the restroom, i wouldn't "unseat" someone who took my seat. after all, it's not exactly mine. besides, friends are supposed to share. but i don't think i can pull off the "your name's not here" bit... i tend to look prety serious even when delivering a joke, so i might unintentionally start a brawl lol ^_^

[lifton]

Hahaha! I tend to look serious too, but somehow I don't make people angry fast. People tend to talk behind my back, before saying something to me. So Brave! On the other hand, I usually know what people think before they tell me. And for 95% of the time I a right. The other 5%, on the other side, is that when I am wrong, I am very wrong. Auwch! Well, I am not perfect. hahaha! Would'nt life be great if we could all except each other the way we are. If we could all share, with out wanting what the other has. Just a normal life. Peace and harmony. That would be so nice, don't you think? Take care, have a nice day.

[garwyli91]

oh, yes. definitely. that would literally be paradise. unfortunately, the only possible way that noone will ever want anyone else's anything is when we're no longer in this world and have passed on to the next life... :/

[eadweald71]

Yes, I am afraid you are right. By the way, I love your avatar. The cats nose is so cute. Take care.

[fenwick]

If someone told me I had taken their seat, there are others available, and there is some kind of indicator (something sitting there) that someone was really already sitting there, I would totally move and not steal their seat. If there weren't other seats and there was nothing to show that someone had been sitting there, I wouldn't give up the seat because it could easily be someone just trying to take the seat because there isn't another one available.