eating out by yourself

[slo]

I have no problem eating out alone at the shopping mall.

I would not leave my house and just go out to eat by myself. I would go get myself some take-out and bring it home.

 

[Missy1961]

Don't get me wrong, I love to eat with other folks. But I have absolutely no problem eating alone, whether it's Arby's or a "sit-down restaurant." I just take a book or something, sometimes not.

This is what I feel too! And it's funny, I'm kind of shy, but eating out alone doesn't bother me at all. And I did a solo trip to WDW last year with no problems.

 

[MsLeFever]

Count me in with the eatin' alone and reading a book crowd. When I was newly divorced and living alone in a new town I took myself out to a nice restaurant every Friday night.

 

[TheRatPack]

I used to think it would really bother me. I always have my kids with me or my husband or I eat with my grandparents at lunch sometimes. But once when my husband was out of town with the kids on my birthday I thought...hmmmm, I'm going to have a nice meal. I was out working in a town over from where I live and I walked in to a Red Lobster when I was done working that day. I had a nice meal, ate in peace and left. One person sitting next to me was actually alone too and he (older gentleman) said "traveling?" and I said, "nope". LOL

Not sure why he thought I was traveling......I didn't have a map or luggage LOL I'm trying to do more things like that lately though, including movies....etc by myself. One day my children will be gone to live their own lives and my husband may still be working full time so I want to be able to feel okay with it. I do however enjoy eating out with someone else though, I'm a talker so conversation is always nice

 

[Marseeya]

I don't mind eating alone at all! In fact, I get really irritable if I don't get enough alone time.

It's weird where I live, though. NOBODY eats alone, so on the rare occasions I sit alone in a restaurant, people look at me like I'm a freak. In the town where I go to school, it's not unusual at all.

Oh, and in my town, there aren't many restaurants. Two Chinese places, one mid-level sit-down restaurant, one diner type place (that's rarely open), and one "nice" club. Everything else is fast food.

 

[kbkids]

DH works out of town so often, and when the kids are both over at friends' houses, no way am I cooking for just me, and don't really care for fast food, so I go out by myself often. I don't see the big deal either. Sometimes, I'll call a friend if I know their family is out too, but it doesn't bother me in the least to go by myself.

 

[Beth76]

Some people are just really insecure and need someone with them all the time I guess.... I always take a book or magazine and sit there and eat and read.

It's not insecurity. I can go shopping my myself. I can do lots of things by myself. I just couldn't go into a restaurant and just sit there with nothing to do for an hour. I would never take a book or magazine into a sit-down restaurant.

 

[mainewmn]

Since I have to travel quite a bit for work I eat by myself a few times a month. It doesn’t bother me, but I bring a book or my laptop with me to catch up on work. I do however prefer to dine with others, its just more fun.

On the other hand I have to admit there are times when I go by myself to the local coffee shop just to sit back and unwind without anyone ales.

So I guess I go both ways

 

[NMAmy]

I've been known to go out to dinner or lunch by myself--I enjoy having a little time alone occasionally. I'll also go to the movies by myself--although now that dd is older, she'll usually tag along with me. Our taste in movies is more similar now.

DH and I were just discussing this kind of thing the other day. He told me one of the things that most attracted him to me was that I'm pretty self-sufficient--I'm not needy in the least. I love having my family around but if they're not there, I'm perfectly fine. If my car should break down, my first call is not to DH but to the tow truck and the repair place. If something breaks around the house and I can't fix it--I call a repairman. My mom is the same way--I guess that's where I got it from.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have no problem eating alone. Sometimes I'll bring a book ro magazine, sometimes I'll just people watch and eavesdrop on conversations.

So watch what you say if I'm sitting next to you!

 

[Beth76]

If my car should break down, my first call is not to DH but to the tow truck and the repair place.

Yeah, I don't call my husband either. I call my dad!!

 

[Evil Genius]

Just bring a good book or magazine along. Or ask for a window seat. Dining alone isn't that big of a deal.

 

[jbdreamer]

I have gone to the movies by myself lots of times.

But part of the dining experience for me is the conversation. If I went alone, I would be bored and also think it a waste of money. Instead I'd get take-out.

 

[AMcaptured]

I have no problem eating alone either. Of course I prefer having someone with me but with my daughters extracirricular activites and my husband being busy this time of year with taxes, it doesn't always happen.

I think your friend was trying to make you feel a bit sorry for her with the toast remark. She could have done take out from just about any restaurant or opened a can of soup.

 

[imsorry]

I don't know why, but I cannot eat out alone. I get paranoid when my DH goes to the men's room when we are in a restaurant. I don't know where to look, I get all fidgety. I can't stand to be alone in this situation.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I eat alone a lot. My husband travels, but he will order room service before he will eat in a restaraunt alone. Not me, I went to the California Grill last week solo. But everyone has their own comfort level so some do it and some don't.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I love love love to eat alone - Its the one opportunity I have to actually TASTE my food and eat on my timetable, not the DKs or DH's.

I bring a newspaper if I'm going to breakfast, but if its lunch or dinner I ask to be seated by the window and even better in the summer time, OUTSIDE.

No one is staring at you, there is no need to be self conscience, just think about - do you stare at solo diners?

 

[NMAmy]

No one is staring at you, there is no need to be self conscience, just think about - do you stare at solo diners?

I think this is an important point. Do others think that solo diners are lonely people who can't find anyone who would put up with them long enough to eat a meal? Most people are focused on themselves or their companions and could really care less about other diners. I guess I don't understand why anyone would feel self-concious eating alone.