Anonymous wrote:It depends on the room set up and what is going on.

This. Do the chairs or desks adjust easily? Would turning it leave them out of the discussion? Was someone else blocking their view? It’s pretty hard to figure out all the variables without seeing the set up.

It depends on the room set up and what is going on.

Anonymous wrote:It sends a pretty clear message about what they think about you and your role in this group.

Yeah. Agree.

For the record, I’m a Black woman, and they are both white women. (One is young; one is about the same age as me.)

[OP]

It sends a pretty clear message about what they think about you and your role in this group.

OK, so what would you say (if anything) in that situation?

“Oh, excuse me.”
“Do you mind?”
“Would you mind sitting another way?”

[OP]

Good lord, yes that's rude.

100%

Yeah, that’s what I thought, too. I’ve had it happen twice in the past month. It was different people who are in different generations.

Hmmm….

[OP]

of course, people should think about how it would make THEM feel to have someone's back turned to them. Exclusionary.

It's rude in every culture.

Yep. That person was a jerk.

It is rude to sit with your back to someone.

I think so. What culture wouldn’t this be rude?

It depends on the culture.

Assume you’re in a group discussion situation, and you could adjust your seat so as to not have your back to someone.

Is that rude?