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

[ejfalvo]

I's Sicilian, its in my blood to sit in the back, facing the front door, entrance to the kitchen, view of the restrooms, near an escape window. When those stars don't align, sit in the back watching the door and who enters.

 

[guyfromohio]

I do like to face the door. Always have. I’ve been legally carrying concealed for 18 years this month….the exact day it became legal in Ohio. Up until recently, I always made an effort to have the gun-side to the wall. For some reason….not sure what….I stopped caring about that. I don’t open carry….I’m not purposefully printing, but I simply don’t care any more if someone sees it. My bet is, though…..they won’t.

 

[Bazoo]

I wonder about what goes through another THR concealed carrier’s mind when they are setting against the wall and looking around like an owl waiting for a mouse, and they see another person doing the same thing. They notice each other and both think “theirs a weirdo casing the joint”. What If that guy gets up to go take a leak and when he does his shirt brushes the wrong way and you see his gun? OMG he’s got a gun? Out the back door? Hand on your gun? Or do you go cool, another person who’s aware of their surroundings.

 

[Jack Ryan]

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

Notice none of them have wives or women.

 

[Jack Ryan]

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.

If I were planning a massacre that is exactly where I would start. Come in the back door while everyone is facing front.

 

[TarDevil]

If I were planning a massacre that is exactly where I would start. Come in the back door while everyone is facing front.

Exactly.

Anything but the obvious.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I do not need to be facing a specific direction, but do prefer sit back to the wall with a view of events in front of me. Being able to see all of the avenues of approach would be a plus. Being left-handed and using pocket carry usually puts my gun on the exposed side, but that's not a big criteria point for me.

 

[Bazoo]

I’d rather have my gun side be exposed than my back to the door. But I also am a huge person and I get noticed gun or not.

 

[TarDevil]

But I also am a huge person and I get noticed gun or not

I'm blessed to have a thick mane of hair at 67 years old... draping several inches below my shoulders. I get noticed easily. Many strangers have slapped me on the back and welcomed Jerry Garcia back from the grave.

OTOH, we can leave a restaurant for another store and I'll frequently mention to my wife, "The couple at the end of the aisle were in the restaurant with us."

Situational awareness has been an intimate companion since my early 20's when I started flying. Stuck with me... a multifunctional attribute. Means more to me than where I sit.

 

[The Night Rider]

I'm blessed to have a thick mane of hair at 67 years old... draping several inches below my shoulders. I get noticed easily. Many strangers have slapped me on the back and welcomed Jerry Garcia back from the grave.

There is a resemblance

 

[Bazoo]

I’m 6’5 and 360 pounds and have a big black beard. I get noticed. Does anyone notice my hand cannon though....I don’t know.

 

[shoobe01]

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.

Except for ceiling 100% this. Why not out of the bathroom, a random table, etc? It is more or less impossible to have your eyes on all threats so just be aware of them all, just like you should be for evacuation routes in the (much more likely threat) of fire, etc.

You know where stairs are when in a hotel, or any other tall building, right?

 

[.455_Hunter]

... just like you should be for evacuation routes in the (much more likely threat) of fire, etc.

In worst case scenario, always remember that sidearm + window = escape route.

 

[shafter]

If the seat is open I'll sit with my back to the wall but if it isn't it is what it is. I don't stress or make a big deal about it. I'm not being hunted by the cartel, assassins, or ninjas.

Often I prefer it so I don't have to deal with people I know recognizing me and trying to come over and interrupt my evening.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

Yes I do...

 

[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,

OK, quoted myself to add.
I consider C Stores/Gas Stations to be 20X times more dangerous, and have a strategy for going in them as well.
The #1 thing is to stay away from the cashier and keep an eye on the door.
Wait, that's 2 things.
jmo,
.

 

[Kleanbore]

Not really.

 

[loneviking]

Like most, I will always choose my back to the wall, where I can see the main entrance. I prefer an aisle seat, I’m a lefty and want my gun hand free. I don’t want to be struggling to get clear of a table.

 

[shoobe01]

In worst case scenario, always remember that sidearm + window = escape route.

I mean,... on the 30th floor, jumping out the window to escape is a bold move.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I mean,... on the 30th floor, jumping out the window to escape is a bold move.

True- thinking more along the lines of ground level or 2nd story situation.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

If we're facing front of store I like to be facing the entrance. If we're somewhere towards the back it doesn't matter so much.

 

[Anchorite]

Interesting thread. Every time I enter a structure I’m checking out (most of you) who is sitting where and what they look like. There’s a lot to be said for appearance - ie, tatted up dirt-bag, operator-wannabe, obese, etc. Folks can telegraph so, so much unintentionally.

I’m an OODA practitioner myself. Every. Single. Day.

 

[Kleanbore]

Some time back, a similar discussion led me to believe that it might be advantageous to sit facing the door in a restaurant.

I don't know what I was thinking.

Did I somehow assume that should a threat materialize, it would happen between me and the door? That I would just happen to be looking up from reading may menu or cutting my steak at the exact moment in which it occurred? That I would recognize the danger immediately and act?

Full disclosure: I did not think clearly about these things on my own and way to myself "get real". The reality had to be pointed out to me.

Years ago, I attended a personal defense class. The class continued during lunch at a restaurant. The instructor asked the students about their "situational awareness" in the restaurant.

He than demonstrated several realistic ways in which their so called awareness could be easily defeated.

He asked one student who had been pretty sure of himself, "do you ask for a Braille menu?". That's how I remember the lesson.

 

[Stefan A]

If I were planning a massacre that is exactly where I would start. Come in the back door while everyone is facing front.

Yes, but that's rational thinking. Scumbags are scumbags because they're not rational.

 

[.455_Hunter]

When located in a static position in a public venues, like seated in a restaurant, there is no downside to positioning oneself to have maximum available visibility of what is going on around you. Yeah, you could "miss something", but dismissing the whole concept because a "recognized trainer" managed to pooh-pooh it is rather silly. People need to start thinking for themselves and not just worship the ground these "Tactical Teds" pontificate upon- they DO NOT know your situation better than you do. Their input should be regarded solely as another viewpoint, but not necessarily the "correct" viewpoint- you make that decision for yourself.