While I was careful to always face front doors in restaurants as a younger cop, that gave way to other considerations, training, experience and the needs of the moment in any particular setting.
While I like to see who is walking up toward the restaurant (in those which offer views out the front windows), or who is walking in the doors, being positioned to make direct eye contact comes with its own set of potential issues. One of them is that if someone is entering intent to commit violence, they may be keyed up and see you seeing them, and decide you're a possible threat
and target, and act right away. That might put you a second behind the curve they've created. Also, as mentioned, being seated so your concealed weapon has to be accessed where the movement is easily viewed - and then reaching for it, which is an obvious motion - might serve to attract attacker attention before you're ready for it. TANSTAAFL.
Nowadays? I tend to prefer to be seated where I can see out windows, but out of the direct line-of-sight of anyone entering the door. I want to see them before they see me, ideally. If that's not possible, I want to be seated where I'm not likely to be among the first victims chosen ... and, where I can see the faces and body language of other patrons. Sometimes the reactions of others can provide enough of a clue that something's amiss, even if they aren't sure what's happening, or are puzzled, themselves. Think Coal Mine Canaries.
When I'm at my cigar club, and one of the retired cops is present, I've noticed that he often likes to sit out-of-line with the front door, but still facing it. When that's the case, I like to sit so my face, shoulders and hands are facing away from the entrance, but I'm facing the other retired cop. He's always very aware of activities near the front of the club, and even the back door ... so I relax and just watch him. If
he reacts, my reaction to
his body language may still pass unnoticed for crucial moments ... as anyone drawing
his attention and focus will probably focus on
his reactions and not see
mine soon enough.
Kind of reminds me of how I used to have a partner in my bureau who was a swat guy, and he was
always wanting to lead the way when we entered residences looking for someone. He was also 6'5", and eager to pave the way.
Well, alrighty then.
I often ended up catching someone by surprise when they were too focused on him in front of them, and failed to see the little guy 5'9" slip around and gain a position of advantage. That was occasionally helpful when my partner ended up getting caught in a position of sudden disadvantage, or had simply leaped ahead where a prudent angel might fear to tread without some caution.
A couple times I looked at him, when he displayed that deer-in-the-headlights look, and took control of the situation while trying not to radiate that, "I told you so, dude" vibe.
Sitting in an enclosed area where I could become a victim just requires a little awareness and common sense. You can only have control of some things relating to your immediate environment. Trying to be in
Condition Yikes!! all the time is tiring, and just makes you look weird.
