I must be the only one... interacting with strangers...

[SueDonym3]

I also like my solo trips for the lack of conversation. I am open to chat but depends on my mood...and if I am not in the mood, I just stick my earbuds in or put my nose in my kindle and never had an issue. I once had the worst waiter in chefs de France and since we were all seated so closely, my fellow diners struck up a conversation- but if that is not what you want- no worries- you will be left in your bubble! Have a great trip!

 

[Sir William]

I think the entire point of why some people engage others in conversation has been overlooked. The vast majority of those comments were directed at those who were uncomfortable traveling solo, especially for the first time, and felt the need for human contact.

I travel solo a lot and for the most part have little human interaction except with the staff at the restaurants, stores, and attractions I may visit. I'm perfectly happy and at ease with this, but there are many people for whom this lack of human contact is a source of major anxiety.

 

[karm12]

I did a solo visit last year. I never started conversations with strangers and generally did not have have them start ones with me. I was always friendly if someone chatted with me, but didn't seek out talking to strangers. I feel like most people are caught up with their own family and trip to notice you.

 

[nickymeyers19]

I'm looking forward very much to my solo trip later this month! I'm married and have 4 kids but am leaving them behind this time to do a 12 day vacation all by myself.

I have been reading the forums and trip reports since September and there seems to be a common idea - you can make friends while in line so you won't be lonely, or people will chat with you so you don't feel alone, etc. Some have mentioned that they've been invited to eat with strangers or that they've made lifelong friends during their solo trips to Disney.

Am I the only one who is honestly looking forward to days and days of not having to socialize with anyone? To me, the idea of having to chat with random strangers in line just because I'm traveling solo is very uncomfortable. I don't particularly want to make new friends while I'm there, and I certainly would never want to share a table and have to small talk with a bunch of strangers at a restaurant. I loved going to Biergarten with my family because we could talk to each other - it was supremely awkward trying to chit chat with the other people at our table. I won't be going there this time since I'm alone.

It just seems like there's a background feeling of 'poor you, you're on vacation alone' and people try to fill whatever void they think you have with their idle chat. And also there is the perception that people who aren't open and friendly with everyone around them are stick-in-the-muds or sour-pusses which really isn't necessarily true.

It's actually one of my biggest anxieties about this trip - that people will constantly want to talk to me, that I'll have to make small talk all day when I honestly just want to be left alone, or that people will feel sorry for me. I planned this solo trip on purpose to be alone - to give myself a break from daily interactions with people and the constant feeling of being 'on'. I'm an introvert but I'm certainly not a sour-puss.

I'm not a mean person at all; I can make small talk with the best of them, and I can laugh and make jokes and smile and it will seem to the chatty stranger that I enjoy it and/or appreciate it becuase I have to do it every day at my work and I am good at it. But I don't really enjoy it and it's tiring having to be 'on' all the time. I hope I'm not coming across in a bad way because I don't mean to at all. I just always feel awkward and put on the spot when it comes to chit chat and I would really just rather people left me alone, LOL!

Am I alone?!

This was a very good post..thank you for your honesty. Believe me, you are not alone. I can totally relate to everything you mentioned. I don't think that your mean or rude or anything negative. You simply do not want to be in a position to be "ON" as you said. I completely understand. Who wants to be uncomfortable on a vacation..it's your time and if you want to enjoy just being alone...you deserve it.