SATS Loc: Belgium

The Grand Jury presides.

Similar grouping to the last one, completely different group.
Taking the two pictures together, I can only conclude that wealth and spontaneous pleasure do not go together.

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RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Maybe they are discussing their husbands.
:-)

SATS Loc: Belgium

Now there is a possibility that hadn't occurred to me. Perhaps they are the ones in the other bar but I somehow doubt it. Thanks Richard.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

I am thinking they attended a social engagement of some sort and stopped off for a bite to eat and a little conversation. They seem to be in deep thought about something. Perhaps the object of their days excursion? It kind of blew my mind away to see an ashtray on the neighboring table. It wouldn't happen here that is for sure.

SATS Loc: Belgium

Hey Dragonfist, you are a lot like me in that you want to see the best in folks but what you described, although possible, isn't what this photo says to me. Just like the guy with his back to us in the last photo, is being made a figure of fun for some social gaffe, the lady right seems to have invoked the disapproval of the other ladies, for some social faux pas and looks as if she is about to be tossed out of the group. In any event she seems contrite enough to have to explain herself to the other matrons. Therein lies the beauty and the danger of people photography. Does a split second of time capture the true feelings in everybody's hearts or is it a random episode in a fluid situation where the tenor is completely different?

Re the ashtray, this is one of those issues where every country in Europe is free to make up its own mind over its policy. This seems to have fallen into two groups, Netherlands (Holland) and the rest. In Netherlands you can do anything you want, wherever you want. You can smoke in bars, although not in shops and you can openly buy marijuana over the counter in the euphemistically named coffee shops. In Belgium, which is roughly the same as in other countries you can smoke in the streets although it is discouraged and not so many people do it as in earlier times. It is not allowed in shops or bars, confusingly called cafe's here, unless that establishment has a dedicated smoking room with extraction fans. For instance Ikea has a smoking room usually situated somewhere between the restaurant area and the toilets. An exception is where the bar sets tables on the sidewalk or has a dedicated terrace area outside the walls of the building. That is the case in this photo. There are two brick pillars set out from the building with canvas sides and plastic windows and a canvas awning above. You can see the track for a roller shutter front which is generally left open. The photo above was taken on a recent trip to Spain.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Gee, these gals look so happy; something must have really amused them
Nice shot, by the way.

SATS Loc: Belgium

Sharing that sort of happiness is what going to other peoples countries is all about. Thanks for looking in John.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

Hi Sats,
After taking a second look I can see why you have that impression. Then again could the lady have brought up something in the conversation that they all, including her, have disapproved of. We will never know and therein lies the fun of people watching. We are free to let our minds run wild. It of course would be wise to keep our conclusions as just guesses and never voice them as fact.

The smoking in a restaurant brought back a memory. Here in New York State it was okay if smoking was allowed only in a separate area for a while. One gentleman observed however that to him it was like having a peeing section in a swimming pool. I think he was on to something.