Fi and I went to a formal business event on Thursday night. The keynote speaker was the VP of the ECJ-- basically he's like a Supreme Court Justice but for Europe. Extremely important guy.
After the mingling portion, we were asked to sit down. No tables or seats were assigned. Shortly after we sat, this very kind middle-aged woman with an accent comes over to our table and asks if she can join us. We say "of course!" and start talking to her.
Well, turns out she is the wife of the keynote speaker! When she went to sit down, too many professors and other guests crowded around the keynote speaker and she was the odd one out left without a chair. This poor woman.
Assigned seats I could take or leave, but every time a bride/groom says people will just "figure it out" without even assigned tables, there is bound to be trouble. You DO NOT want the wife of your keynote speaker to be left without a chair at her husband's table! Eeesh.
"I'm not a rude bitch. I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."