Dining alone. Anyone do it?
Discussion
I love it. Order what you want in whatever order you want without having to share.
I’m usually in my phone or will read the paper.
Finishing work soon with a day off tomorrow so heading off for a little lonesome Chinese. A huge plate of boiled rice topped with three roasted meats and a couple of dim sum. Heaven.
I’m usually in my phone or will read the paper.
Finishing work soon with a day off tomorrow so heading off for a little lonesome Chinese. A huge plate of boiled rice topped with three roasted meats and a couple of dim sum. Heaven.
Out of necessity while working away. Love the freedom, eat what you want, where you want, when you want. Take a book or tablet to pass the time.
The only time it’s ever been slightly uncomfortable was when I totally forgot it was valentines night, and couldn’t understand why everywhere was full on a random Tuesday.
The only time it’s ever been slightly uncomfortable was when I totally forgot it was valentines night, and couldn’t understand why everywhere was full on a random Tuesday.
SlidingSideways said:
Out of necessity while working away. Love the freedom, eat what you want, where you want, when you want. Take a book or tablet to pass the time.
The only time it’s ever been slightly uncomfortable was when I totally forgot it was valentines night, and couldn’t understand why everywhere was full on a random Tuesday.
Yep I’m the same, travel 5 months of the year and most of it alone. Love eating out on my own. The only time it’s ever been slightly uncomfortable was when I totally forgot it was valentines night, and couldn’t understand why everywhere was full on a random Tuesday.
On the odd rare occurrence then yes. I did it for over 15 years for work, it became tedious. In fact, apart from the conspicuous staring from other people, it looked like one was a sad lonely w
ker, billy no mates. I started to eat in my room more once I had realised the total weirdness of it all 
ker, billy no mates. I started to eat in my room more once I had realised the total weirdness of it all carinatauk said:
On the odd rare occurrence then yes. I did it for over 15 years for work, it became tedious. In fact, apart from the conspicuous staring from other people, it looked like one was a sad lonely wker, billy no mates. I started to eat in my room more once I had realised the total weirdness of it all
I couldn`t give one flying fork what it looks like to people I am likely never going to see again. I`ve been doing it for 10years. Home meal times are sometimes a battle of wills with the wife and I against a 2 year old and a 5 year old with V small appetites. It`s peaceful and I eat stuff we don't eat at home.ker, billy no mates. I started to eat in my room more once I had realised the total weirdness of it all I don`t mean that to sound as angry little man as it does but I think I just enjoy my own company.
It's something I've been used to for years, as more than half the time I'm usually on my own when travelling for work and usually choose less formal places where there is no rush to get a table back.
I just find it pretty depressing just to finish work then be stuck in a hotel all night, and rarely eat in the hotel itself - especially if it's the same place you had breakfast in that morning.
I just find it pretty depressing just to finish work then be stuck in a hotel all night, and rarely eat in the hotel itself - especially if it's the same place you had breakfast in that morning.
hoegaardenruls said:
It's something I've been used to for years, as more than half the time I'm usually on my own when travelling for work and usually choose less formal places where there is no rush to get a table back.
I just find it pretty depressing just to finish work then be stuck in a hotel all night, and rarely eat in the hotel itself - especially if it's the same place you had breakfast in that morning.
I agree. I rarely eat in the hotel, not even breakfast, there are many other much better places to eat as a rule. I also try to find something at least 20 mins walk away. I just find it pretty depressing just to finish work then be stuck in a hotel all night, and rarely eat in the hotel itself - especially if it's the same place you had breakfast in that morning.
It depends on the venue and the atmosphere.
I don't see the point about being able to eat what you like. If I go out for dinner along with other people I eat what I like?
Anyway; mid-week in a chain hotel on business? No worries at all; it's quiet and one can read a book, whatever to pass the time.
However, I remember once being away on a Friday night for work, up near Oldham. We were running a training course on the Saturday morning.
I was staying in a local, independent hotel (fairly dingy) and the restaurant attached to it wasn't just a restaurant serving the hotel guests - locals would go and eat there for their Friday night out.
It was really busy, the service was fairly slow as a result and I was the only one dining alone. To top it off, the wi-fi didn't cover said restaurant at all and there is no room or bar service for food.
So; I'm alone, in a bustling restaurant, on a Friday night, surrounded by people with their mates/families enjoying a night out, waiting for 15 minutes between courses with no tech entertainment, twiddling with my cutlery.
That wasn't fun.
I don't see the point about being able to eat what you like. If I go out for dinner along with other people I eat what I like?
Anyway; mid-week in a chain hotel on business? No worries at all; it's quiet and one can read a book, whatever to pass the time.
However, I remember once being away on a Friday night for work, up near Oldham. We were running a training course on the Saturday morning.
I was staying in a local, independent hotel (fairly dingy) and the restaurant attached to it wasn't just a restaurant serving the hotel guests - locals would go and eat there for their Friday night out.
It was really busy, the service was fairly slow as a result and I was the only one dining alone. To top it off, the wi-fi didn't cover said restaurant at all and there is no room or bar service for food.
So; I'm alone, in a bustling restaurant, on a Friday night, surrounded by people with their mates/families enjoying a night out, waiting for 15 minutes between courses with no tech entertainment, twiddling with my cutlery.
That wasn't fun.
Truckosaurus said:
The Americans seem to do solo dining (and drinking) better than we do.
You can sit at the bar and eat, and then make conversation with other solo diners/drinkers or the barman.
Absolutely, have spent plenty an enjoyable evening with a good burger, a beer and a book propping up an American bar. And my favourite Chicago breakfast joint is no different - eggs, bacon, coffee, book, sat at the bar. Nice. You can sit at the bar and eat, and then make conversation with other solo diners/drinkers or the barman.
carinatauk said:
On the odd rare occurrence then yes. I did it for over 15 years for work, it became tedious. In fact, apart from the conspicuous staring from other people, it looked like one was a sad lonely wker, billy no mates. I started to eat in my room more once I had realised the total weirdness of it all
If you're eating in your room, you've obviously got a much larger expense limit than I have! ker, billy no mates. I started to eat in my room more once I had realised the total weirdness of it all 
I don't like eating in my room anyway, so would only do it if I got to the hotel really late, and nothing else was available, but in actual fact I can't even remember the last time I ate in a hotel restaurant full stop apart from breakfast. Why get moaned at by the Expenses team for exceeding daily allowances on something crap and over-priced when I can go out, walk around wherever I'm staying and find something much nicer for less money?
Muzzer79 said:
It depends on the venue and the atmosphere.
I don't see the point about being able to eat what you like. If I go out for dinner along with other people I eat what I like?
Well you don't in reality, if you're dining with other people there will be a discussion regarding what sort of food place you will all be dining at, if there are say 3 of you and 2 want chinese and you want indian you either dine alone to eat what you like/want or don't eat what you want but choose something you like in the indianI don't see the point about being able to eat what you like. If I go out for dinner along with other people I eat what I like?
I've just come back from a very nice meal alone in the pub across the road from the hotel I'm stuck in for three nights for work. Book, few pints and leisurely two courses on expenses - it's the upside of the drag that is working away.
My boss, however, just can't bring himself to dine alone when it's his turn up here so ends up with some M&S cold food in his room.
Fisherwomanpaul says she can't do it either, on the rare occasions she's away, and would rather have a petrol station sarnie than dine alone in public.
Each to their own, I suppose.
My boss, however, just can't bring himself to dine alone when it's his turn up here so ends up with some M&S cold food in his room.
Fisherwomanpaul says she can't do it either, on the rare occasions she's away, and would rather have a petrol station sarnie than dine alone in public.
Each to their own, I suppose.
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