Maybe it's not the people that matters so much as it is the presentation. Notice, the furniture has changed, possible symbolism in new furniture?
Notice the seating arrangements have changed? Who's on who's right in the second picture?
https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_manners/seating_etiquette.html
http://bsmib.org/business-protocol-how-you-sit-says-a-lot-about-your-standing/