Whether it has been the advent of candles, oil or electric lighting or having stood too many Second Dog Watches (1800-2000, every third day, with a traditional navy 3 section watchbill) at sea, I choose not to dine early. The 830PM sitting allows extended splicing of the main brace, allows for leisurely return aboard after Shore Leave, draws a better sort of dining companions (or at least a lesser number wearing "Gimme'" caps), few if any rug-rats, ankle-biters and crumb-snatchers, or worse, the teens and pre-teens drug to the dining salon unwillingly by their parents, and just maybe, the opportunity for stimulating conversation.

Certainly, one can draw the occasional "loser" among assigned table mates, but in retrospect I've met some interesting folks.