Discussion Guide for Table Guardians
The following are questions that can be used in guiding a discussion about the film Table Guardians.
1. Why do you think most people answer “yes” when asked by a stranger to watch their stuff, even though they’re not comfortable doing so?
2. When you first hear the words “Excuse me…” spoken to you by a stranger, what is your initial, gut reaction? Why?
3. What would you have done when the guy in Table Guardians didn’t come back when he said he would?
4. If you tell a stranger you’ll watch his/her belongings, seat, etc., are you responsible for doing so until the stranger’s return, even if there’s a delay?
5. When you approach an empty table in a coffee shop or an empty seat in a movie theater, only to be told “Someone’s sitting there,” do you move on, or do you take the seat? If you take the seat, is there an argument or discussion about whether you’re entitled to it?
6. What’s the most amusing or distressing thing that’s happened to you—or someone you know—while watching a stranger’s possessions or seat in their absence?
7. Why do so many people assume it’s OK—or even safe—to ask a complete stranger to watch over their valuable possessions?
8. Do you think that we’ve turned into a nation of table guardians? Or not?
