Where do you feel comfortable eating alone?

robfosters

robfosters

robfosters

Caporegime
Joined
1 Dec 2010
Posts
53,766
Location
Welling, London
What level of establishment do you feel comfortable eating alone at?

For me, I will eat alone at fast food restaurants, sandwich bars and cafes. However, I could never think of eating in a proper restaurant alone.

I just wouldn't feel right. They are more of a social occasion.

Where do you feel comfortable going solo? What about food pubs?
 
I ate by myself in the restaurant section of a middling pub tonight, but because I'm away for a training course for work.

Wouldn't think to ever go out specially alone to eat at a restaurant, but if you wanted to I don't see the harm at all.

I did personally feel a bit bored eating my meal just by myself in a room with lots of other people but not awkward or odd or anything. It's just food.

Being worried about what it looks like to be sat eating alone by yourself is worse than being sat alone eating by yourself, sorry OP.
 
Travelling with work has meant that I've had to eat alone in all sorts of places so now it doesn't bother me. When I first had to do it when I was 18 I was worried what people would think and did find it quite odd to begin with. Now it's no issue and sometimes it can be quite nice to sit and enjoy a nice meal with a beer or glass of wine on my own. Depending where I've been, sometimes I've taken a book and read between courses or other times sat and people watched and enjoyed my meal.
 
Last edited:
Similar to others, I'm fine eating by myself in any type of establishment after having the choice between that and sitting in a hotel room whilst travelling for work.

Business travel has made this a totally normal thing to do. I've never seen as much as a raised eyebrow when asking for a table for one - more than that, better restaurants noticed I had a book with me and purposefully moved me to the quieter tables with the best lighting.

I travelled for business most weeks for about 6 years, but don't have to often anymore. Look about more carefully next time you are in restaurants in cities and I'm sure you will notice solo diners.
 
I started a new job almost two years ago and it was the first time I've got to travel for work. My Dad has always done it so his top tip was to find a restaurant that has a bar you can sit at, rather than a table. It's so true. It means you can make half-conversations with the bar staff (they'll be busy so never an awkward silence) and you can just aimlessly watch what they're doing to keep entertained (if you're not going the book route).

When I go to LA I stay at a hotel with a great sushi bar just up the road, that's an easy one. Being America nobody is afraid to talk to you either. It's also helpful that there's the trend for "small plates" and tapas style which means a lot of smaller restaurants have a bar you can sit at.

I guess at home I would eat lunch alone in a cafe or whatever, but in my mind eating a McDonalds alone would be one step towards suicide :D That's probably just my aversion to that sort of fast food though. I doubt I'd ever go out for dinner at home, alone though.

It's all a confidence thing, I think it's actually a useful thing to do to make you feel comfortable in your own skin. If you get nervous etc. just convince yourself you're a restaurant reviewer and play that part.
 
Wouldn't feel awkward in the same way as going to the Cinema to watch a film on your own.

Years back went to Paris for new year with the missus at the time. Part of the package was an evening meal at a restaurant on new years eve. Always remember a women that was also on the same trip as us sat on her own, felt at the time 'how could you do that on new years eve'?...

Don't think even now I could do that especially on new years eve. :( must have had her reasons (good memories, new chapter) never did ask.
 
I too do it when I'm away for work or otherwise and don't have an issue with it at all. In preference at home I'd be happier with a take away in front of the TV if I'm alone :)

I go to the cinema alone too which some think is weird but I turn up as the film starts and away we go. Handy when I want to see something the other half doesn't or I have a few hours to kill.
 
I've eaten alone in all sorts of places, from fast food restaurants and cafes to fine dining restaurants. I don't do it by choice but I travel a lot as part of my job and whilst room service in the hotel is nice once in a while, I need to get a change of scenery.
 
SC0TTRS said:
Wouldn't feel awkward in the same way as going to the Cinema to watch a film on your own.

Years back went to Paris for new year with the missus at the time. Part of the package was an evening meal at a restaurant on new years eve. Always remember a women that was also on the same trip as us sat on her own, felt at the time 'how could you do that on new years eve'?...

Don't think even now I could do that especially on new years eve. :( must have had her reasons (good memories, new chapter) never did ask.
Click to expand...

Or like many people she places no emphasis on new year as anything special.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom