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There’s nothing different about seating gay couples than straight. You might be interested to know, however, that most hosts actually try to avoid putting couples (of any orientation) next to each other, under the assumption that they get plenty of face time at home. And forcing your seating chart into a man-woman-man-woman arrangement isn’t necessary in any case.

Instead, try to seat people next to someone you think they will enjoy getting to know. Perhaps they have something in common such as a line of work or a hobby, or you see a chance to do a little matchmaking. Or maybe a gay friend will now finally get to know a straight friend you think he will like. Sitting next to an interesting stranger is one of the pleasures of attending a dinner party (not that it always works out that smoothly for everyone involved).

By the way, in case you’re wondering about the old-fashioned practice of men helping women into their chairs, go right ahead and be gallant. But there’s really no reason to restrict this gesture to the female gender. Holding someone’s seat—whether they are LGBT or straight, man or woman—is simply a very nice thing to do.

 

COPYRIGHT 2010 STEVEN PETROW.   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.