Do you go to restaurants by yourself?

[John Connor]

I'm about to go to Applebees tomorrow by my self.

 

[Michael]

I travel for business quite a lot and am often alone.

I just go out and eat where I want to and don't feel strange eating alone at all.

Michael

 

[TeeJay1952]

I am a widower and if I don't go alone I can't go. I worked the afternoon shift for a number of years before I retired and I ate lunch everyday by myself. I bring a book and get to wait for the inevitable:" Hey, is that a good book?" from the waitress. he only thing worse is the greeter saying: "Just one?" to which I reply: " Yes I suppose I am a just one."

 

[lxskllr]

I am a widower and if I don't go alone I can't go. I worked the afternoon shift for a number of years before I retired and I ate lunch everyday by myself. I bring a book and get to wait for the inevitable:" Hey, is that a good book?" from the waitress. he only thing worse is the greeter saying: "Just one?" to which I reply: " Yes I suppose I am a just one."

Tell them two. When the waitress takes your order, give one for your partner too. Reach across the table to point things out in your book, and explain it to your partner. When the waitress gives you the check, tell her you need a carryout box. When you leave, you can take the food home, or give it to the homeless.

 

[sdifox]

I don't see what the big deal is eating alone

 

[HeXen]

I don't cause i'm married n all, but I wouldn't feel weird if I did. I see people by themselves at restaurants all the time, I never thought anything about it.

 

[alkemyst]

Just got back from having a late breakfast, by myself. I always feel weird/like a loser when I go to a restaurant alone. But that is far outweighed by the fact that I do not cook at all (hate cooking with a passion) and it's relatively inexpensive for one person to eat out.

Your turn.

EDIT: In this thread, "restaurant" means a "sit-down" place with waiter service.

When I am single, I usually hit up restaurants and even movies by myself. You don't always have a date lined up and I tend to avoid getting 'serious' with anyone in the past.

I like getting out of the house and chances are you can meet some interesting people when doing it.

If you are feeling awkward, eat at the bar and strike up some conversation.

 

[EvilYoda]

Like others that travel constantly for work, I do it all the time. I've never had an issue with it - sometimes conversations occur but mostly I'm just in my own little world...a place I rather like. I work in a very public setting typically and certainly don't lack social skills, but that's always been offset by my ability to enjoy being by myself.

 

[HeXen]

Perhaps i'm not aware, but Is there some kind of social stigma to this? Are there people that really judge someone cause they are eating alone...does this apply to shopping alone, etc?

Seems curious to me as why anyone would feel awkward, but apparently some do. I was not really aware of that. Of all the public things i've done alone, nothing like that ever dawned on me. If I felt anything being alone in public places it was boredom.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Perhaps i'm not aware, but Is there some kind of social stigma to this? Are there people that really judge someone cause they are eating alone...does this apply to shopping alone, etc?

Seems curious to me as why anyone would feel awkward, but apparently some do. I was not really aware of that. Of all the public things i've done alone, nothing like that ever dawned on me. If I felt anything being alone in public places it was boredom.

Mixolydian is very insecure and self-conscious. Admittedly many people are that way and will judge you accordingly, but fuck them.

 

[Mixolydian]

Perhaps i'm not aware, but Is there some kind of social stigma to this? Are there people that really judge someone cause they are eating alone...does this apply to shopping alone, etc?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Mixolydian is very insecure and self-conscious. Admittedly many people are that way and will judge you accordingly, but fuck them.

Meh, I wouldn't say "very". I used to be scared shitless of what people think. Now it's just mild discomfort. Just an anxious person, I am.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

No idea what the big deal is. Do it all the time.

 

[lothar]

Depends...I'm not sure how to vote in this poll, but here goes.

If it's a breakfast place like IHOP, Denny's, etc...I go alone quite often(1-2x a month), prop my Nexus 7 on the table and read things on it while waiting for my food and also eating.
If it's a lunch or dinner place like Olive Garden, Famous Daves, Ruth Chris, or some other restaurant that's not "breakfast themed" then no, I never go alone. Period.

Eating by yourself at a lunch or dinner type restaurant to me just seems completely weird and awkward.
If I have to do it when traveling, for work or business, etc...Then I consider that to be a valid excuse. Otherwise order take-away and eat at home.

 

[Zeze]

False as a general statement. I've been put into situations where I've had to eat In-N-Out with other people, and every time I found it difficult to savor the food when distracted by the conversation required in eating with others. This applies even to home meals to an extent, although it is easier to ignore my family as I see them every day.

You need to be alone to savor In-N-Out?

 

[HamburgerBoy]

You need to be alone to savor In-N-Out?

Yes. Do you think that flavor operates on a sliding scale from flavorless at 0 to <insert your favorite upscale restaurant's dish here> at some arbitrarily high integer value, and that the amount of savoring is merely a the difference of the amount of flavor points taken from your available attention points?

 

[Zeze]

Yes. Do you think that flavor operates on a sliding scale from flavorless at 0 to <insert your favorite upscale restaurant's dish here> at some arbitrarily high integer value, and that the amount of savoring is merely a the difference of the amount of flavor points taken from your available attention points?

Hm. Fair enough. I guess if someone doesn't enjoy company to begin with, then my point doesn't apply.

 

[alkemyst]

Depends...I'm not sure how to vote in this poll, but here goes.

If it's a breakfast place like IHOP, Denny's, etc...I go alone quite often(1-2x a month), prop my Nexus 7 on the table and read things on it while waiting for my food and also eating.
If it's a lunch or dinner place like Olive Garden, Famous Daves, Ruth Chris, or some other restaurant that's not "breakfast themed" then no, I never go alone. Period.

Eating by yourself at a lunch or dinner type restaurant to me just seems completely weird and awkward.
If I have to do it when traveling, for work or business, etc...Then I consider that to be a valid excuse. Otherwise order take-away and eat at home.

Perhaps if one just doesn't go out only to eat it would make more sense to you.

I would grab food on the way to another venue/event.

Plus I have travelled a lot so eating out alone was pretty much a requirement unless you wanted to live in hotel rooms.

 

[HeXen]

Meh, I wouldn't say "very". I used to be scared shitless of what people think. Now it's just mild discomfort. Just an anxious person, I am.

I seriously doubt anyone is thinking anything of you for the fact of being alone. There is nothing abnormal about being in public by yourself. Now you may be judged for how you dress, being too big or whatever but not the fact that your alone.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

I seriously doubt anyone is thinking anything of you for the fact of being alone. There is nothing abnormal about being in public by yourself. Now you may be judged for how you dress, being too big or whatever but not the fact that your alone.

I remember even in 5th grade, I would be hanging out with other kids, and they would comment on the "loner" kid who simply would take walks by himself around the edge of the playground. That kid ended up being my friend until he moved to Colombia, and I'm sure that when it was the two of us, those same other kids still made remarks, now about both of us. In college today I know for a fact that people talk behind my back all the time and I'm sure "loner" or some variant of it comes up with that. People absolutely will think about you and judge you based on the company you keep, or lack thereof.

 

[alkemyst]

I remember even in 5th grade, I would be hanging out with other kids, and they would comment on the "loner" kid who simply would take walks by himself around the edge of the playground. That kid ended up being my friend until he moved to Colombia, and I'm sure that when it was the two of us, those same other kids still made remarks, now about both of us. In college today I know for a fact that people talk behind my back all the time and I'm sure "loner" or some variant of it comes up with that. People absolutely will think about you and judge you based on the company you keep, or lack thereof.

why not change that?

Seriously though, thinking back to 5th grade?

 

[sdifox]

makes you look like a loser?

and wow im really surpised a the poll turnout. 108 votes so dfar.

Only for the insecure...

 

[dabuddha]

I do occasionally and I always take something to read with me. Nothing more relaxing.

 

[Clemenza]

I do it when I feel like it. If there is no one to eat with, I don't care. I also go to movies by myself. I've honestly never even thought about it being strange. I have plenty of friends to do things with but sometimes I just like to do things by myself. I've never thought it strange or cared what other people though. Most of the people you see out don't even notice you or care that you are by yourself. They are too busy living their own lives.

There is a lot of insecurity in this thread.

 

[Michael]

As per my previous answer, currently in Bangkok. Went out for great Thai food last night. Alone. Tonight, I had 2 workmates with me for dinner. I talked a lot more tonight than last night, otherwise no real difference to me.

Michael

 

[Michael]

I guess Thai 3G over a VPN = my very first double post

Michael