It reminds me of so many times, when I've gone to an event or activity and was told that the seat I was about to sit in was saved for someone else. Mind you, these were often people that I knew at these functions. You'd think they'd be more inclusive. Sometimes I could sit there, and then the person would move when someone more interesting showed up. I even once had a friend ask if when a mutual friend came, if I would let her have my seat and go move by someone else. It got to the point where I'd go as close to starting time as I could, then look for someone who was sitting alone. Both of us appreciated having one another there. (I'm happy to say that I haven't had this happen at our present church.)
I've never liked saved seats. When I arrive somewhere, it's rather annoying to spot a place to sit and walk down the aisle, just to see someone's Bible or books or purse saving their or someone else's seat who is coming later. I can't count the times when I've had to wander around an auditorium just to come to the stake-outs. And it's really annoying, then, if you see them come to the seat later, pick up their stuff and go sit somewhere else. Or when one person is sent ahead to block off several seats for those arriving later to a production, making others who are already there take less desirable locations.
Well, so there's a pet peeve of mine. If you're a seat-saver who turns people away, please consider how it might affect them. It plays on our feelings of rejection and, in my opinion, is rather rude. But then, who really cares about my opinion on that, anyway? Certainly not the seat-saver.
Image ~ Rainbow Chair Tails by Carol Saxe
