Do you consider where/how you sit in a restaurant while carrying

[Stefan A]

When I go to a restaurant - or anyplace where I'll be sitting for a while - I usually like to be facing the front door. But, I also like to have the side where my gun is, to be toward the inside of the booth or wall. When the stars align just right, I can sit that way. But restaurant layouts are all different and you don't always get a choice of where to sit. If you have to choose, do you prefer to face the front, but have your gun side visible - thus making a surreptitious draw more difficult. Or - gun side hidden but not facing the front door - thus not seeing a problem in advance? Or, do you not care, or think it matters?

Stefan

 

[Dunross]

I always think about what I am sitting with my back to.

Occasionally one has to decide between various risks as which way one sits, but if given a chance I will always sit facing the entrance. When with friends where we all know we are carrying we jockey for the position (it's a bit of a running joke with us).

 

[FL-NC]

I like to sit where I can see people entering the building or at least the area where I am. I prefer for my body's right (shooting) side to be away from where everyone else is (inboard). I also try to avoid being right in the entryway to the building/seating area, and I don't like to sit near the cash register. Finally, I note any emergency/alternative exits (most kitchens have a rear door that goes outside) and the size/type of glass in windows, and I identify what in the area might work to breach those windows. Thanks, army- for not letting me just relax and enjoy a meal. Also- if Mrs. Fl-NC is with me, I will know shortly after we are seated how good the various communication signals are in that area. Not because she is checking for security reasons- because she will probably go immediately into her text/missed call/status procedures, since that is such a priority (#sarcasm).

 

[CDW4ME]

Yea, I like to sit where I can see.
My primary gun (Glock) is AIWB which can be drawn while seated.
I also have a Sig 365 in my weak hand front pocket, affords option of putting my hand on it without revealing I'm carrying and/or quick access with weak hand.
Both of those are concealed by my continuously untucked shirt (same as everywhere else); if a tucked shirt is required, I don't belong.

Oh, and I'll be looking at who I'm eating with (wife/kids) not my phone.
And if I was wearing a cap because of the sun / riding top down, I'm keeping that cap on at the table. (Heathen with untucked shirt & cap )

 

[Fyrstyk]

Situational awareness is very important to me. I always try to face the entrance way and have my back to a wall if possible. A view out a window to the front entrance is always a plus. I like to check out every person that enters the area where I am sitting to evaluate a possible threat. My wife says I like to sit facing the entrance to check out the ladies entering. that is also a plus I suppose.

 

[Choctaw]

I always try to sit where I can see the door and main travel areas (such as the path to the restroom). I never sit in a booth.

 

[.308 Norma]

Or, do you not care

I care - I'm more comfortable if I'm facing the entrance when I'm seated in any public establishment. However, putting comfort aside, I usually spend more time sitting in church with my back to the main entrance (double doors) than I spend in restaurants weekly.
BTW, I carry everywhere it's legal - including church.

 

[.308 Norma]

that is also a plus I suppose.

You "suppose?" Really??

 

[troy fairweather]

I don't have my pistol permit, but I do make sure I sit in a good spot facing the door.

 

[Hartkopf]

I used to care about seating but not anymore. Never know how any bad event will play out so I just take note of people and my surroundings.

I figure a nut job crazy person would come in through the kitchen or a fire exit. Or wait above the ceiling.

 

[Blue Jays]

Yes on all points raised. Biggest likely threat is a sudden fire…so rapid and efficient egress is paramount.
By same token I opt for hotel upper floors (for crime) with room close to staircase (for fire) and quick escape.

 

[bdickens]

Yes I consider where I sit but there's more to it than just facing the front door....

 

[CapnMac]

I've always sat that way by preference, even before CHL were a thing. Now, that's as much a way to be able to better interact with the service help as anything else.
I generally don't worry about the "gun" side placement so very much.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I like to face the door or be in a position where I can see the door, but it doesn't bother me a whole lot one way or the other. I do like to note where the exits are and available/potential cover and concealment. I try to keep an eye on what is going on around me, but not to the point of paranoia or failing to enjoy my dining, theater, or other experience. I do try to have a plan for leaving quickly.

 

[Bazoo]

First off I’m not cool with eating inside a restaurant. I prefer to eat at home, or to get takeout and eat in the car. I’m a hermit according to the wife. When I do eat in public, I prefer to set so I can see the pretty women coming in... least that’s what I tell folks. It sounds better than saying, I like to set where I have a clear view for risk assessment and field of fire.

 

[TarDevil]

If we go out for wings, pizza, or pub food it's not as difficult to be selective about seating. The more popular, the less choices.

The more upscale restaurants aren't so flexible, if you wanna be served within the hour. I've stopped worrying about it. I do, however, try to keep my weapon away from curious eyes.

I notice things, though. That's more important, to my thinking.

 

[The Night Rider]

I'm more concerned with being away from the main entrance. If possible I'd rather not even be in the same room as the main entrance.

Second priority is to be near an emergency exit. If something kicks off my first priority is to GTF out of Dodge.

I had a friend who went to the Waffle House (first mistake) and sat right next to the cash register. He ended up right in the middle of a robbery and had to kill somebody that night.

I will refuse to be seated near the register.

 

[stanley_white]

In the beginning, I sat with my back to the wall and my eyes on the entrance.

Later, I assessed that I was more in danger from an untrained self-proclaimed “sheep dog” trying to save the day than I was a criminal, so I sat where I could keep an eye on the people sitting where I sat in the beginning.

These days, I would rather order delivery.

-Stan

 

[Tilos]

If I'm asked to wait to be seated, I'll fake a bathroom trip and scope out the seating/layout/exits/etc., then return to the waiting area.
When the host leads us to a table that I don't like I will ask to be seated somewhere else.
My wife always goes 1st and when we get to the table, she will let me choose where I prefer to sit and then sit opposite me if it's a booth.
jmo,

 

[Hartkopf]

Several THR members in the back corner watching the front door.

 

[nettlle]

I had a lengthy and expensive CCW course years ago. Well worth the time and expense. Flight instead of fight was taught. We were taught to sit closest to an exit that those unarmed could flee and those armed could still protect.

These exits are the back of the restaurant. Through the kitchen and out the back door. That is where we chose to sit when dining out.

 

[Old Dog]

I think when I really absorbed the lesson of having situational awareness in public was spending time in Israel, Mexico, Panama plus a ten-month vacation in Anbar Province. But then, I grew up in Detroit, too.

Thing is, I suspect when most folks start carrying handguns in public, they also tend to develop their situational awareness. Kind of a progression for a lot of people, at least those who possess some critical thinking skills.

Show me the guy packing a gun sitting in a booth at the window with someone next to him block his way out, his back to the front door, he's probably a fat, out-of-shape slob carrying in a twenty-dollar generic nylon holster attached to a thin Wal-Mart belt who's never taken a firearms training course in his life, not even watching a YouTube "training" video and drinks to excess even though he's armed.

I still like the restaurant experience, and still enjoy movies in actual theaters.

90% of the people around you in public at any given time are fully absorbed in what they're looking at on the screens of their smart phones. My situational awareness now is looking for escape routes through all these zombies, because when a crisis occurs, they'll all freak out once they finally become aware, and they'll be blocking your (and your family's) way to safety.

 

[The Night Rider]

Several THR members in the back corner watching the front door.View attachment 1072491

There's a door right behind them.

That's how Wild Bill bought it

 

[JohnKSa]

I like to keep an eye on what's going on. People are interesting to watch, for one thing. Also, I figure if something is going to happen, it's better to see it happening before it actually happens to you.

My preference is to be able to sit so I can see the room and maybe even the entrances.

That said, I can sit with my back to the room if that's how things work out and still be comfortable. I won't make people switch places with me or anything like that.

 

[Fooey]

When I walk in a restaurant I stop inside front door, carefully and diligently survey the room, check empty table options, size and position of obese patrons, and then and only then do I mosey on back and plop my fat a$$ right next to the kitchen door so my food is still hot as possible when they serve it and I can pull my Sig 365 out if one of those obese suckers try to get my bacon!! Thieves can rob the establishment and patrons of every penny they have but they ain't gettin' my bacon!! OK my imagination is rampant again, but it is 1:18 AM.