Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Dining Room Table Size

[Kay Argyle (argyle]

We have a mix of sizes and shapes of tables, all donated.  Table cloths
make mismatched or scarred tops (weathered plywood in one case) irrelevant.
 We've recently replaced the donated chairs with stacking metal chairs.

Particular people gravitate towards different tables.  The two large round
tables (seating about eight) are usually the first taken, even when
furthest from the buffet tables.  

Rectangular tables seem to encourage smaller conversational groupings.  I
start feeling like I'm at a tennis match, following a general conversation
at a rectangular table -- look this way, that way, this way, that way .... 
That's when the people either side of me aren't leaning around me or
craning over my head to talk.  At low noise levels (ten to fifteen people
total), everyone at a round table can join the conversation.  It becomes
difficult at higher noise levels.  Rectangular tables allow smaller
conversations in noisier conditions, with one person at the end and two
others on the sides.

The small tables get used by people who aren't feeling social, for whatever
reason -- they need to eat quickly because they're going out, or they don't
want to spread their sniffles or their crabby mood.

We occasionally push the rectangular tables together into a big U,
especially for occasions where there is "after-dinner entertainment" and we
need the center open.  

If weight is a consideration, I've seen rectangular tables with folding
legs and resin tops (an attractive speckled grey, not patio-furniture
green) at a home hardware store for about $50.  Two of us were able to lift
one quite easily.

Some stacking chairs tip backwards easily.  That's dangerous when squirmy
kids are going to be sitting in them.  Make sure your chairs are stable and
well balanced.

It's impossible to overemphasize how important sound-dampening in the
dining room is.  Our architect assured us that the varied ceiling heights
would take care of the problem -- nuh uh.  We have several residents who
can't handle the noise -- like me.  I sometimes retreat into the coatroom
or the laundry with my plate.  Some don't eat at the common house at all. 
We're trying to come up with solutions besides carpet (ugh -- in a dining
room?  Only if somebody else cleans it).

Average turnout at most meals is from a third to a half of residents, in
our case; I've heard of some communities that report three-quarters
attendance.  A closet to store those tables and chairs that aren't in use
for most meals gets them out of the way; the dining room feels more
spacious, sweeping is easier, and room is freed for activities like yoga,
dancing, etc. 

Kay
Wasatch Commons