A trip to the Village Inn is never guaranteed to be free of awkward encounters. Whether you arrive for a first date or a casual get-together with friends, you may find any combination of professors, professors and their children, professors and their significant others, teammates, parents, community members, and hopefully–the awkward counterpart to your date. That’s a lot to bite off before the main course. What is perhaps doubly worse about the V.I. is the close proximity of the seating arrangements–whether you like it or not, you’ll likely hear most of the neighboring party’s conversation. When the other party becomes aware of your wide-eyed, staring presence, you might even have to participate in it. Uh, check please!! Before you plunge into an uncomfortable dinner, you should know what you’re getting into. Here’s a diagram to help you navigate the perils of dicey dining:

The shadow of doom lurks over the Village Inn

Front view.

“OMG! Hall bonding!”

“Like, do they even go here?”

“Look Ma! No hands!”