Eating Out As A Singleton

[Odie]

I like good food, I don't like being sat at a table on my own though. I would rather have some good company.

[arfur sleep]

Truckosaurus said:

The Americans seem to have solo dining sorted, with most restaurants having a bar/counter where you can sit and eat and/or drink without the stigma of being a Billy No Mates. Also the tip-hungry barstaff will also engage you in conversation.

I ate at a Twin Peaks alone in the US recently.

Waitress was friendly and sat down opposite me at one point whilst I was waiting for my food and we had a pleasant conversation which was diverting from watching the basketball on TV. Obvious ploy for bigger tip....which worked

[gazchap]

GCH said:

In the uk you are looked at like a loon for eating alone, however in a lot of countries- especially the US/canada - nobody bats an eyelid at it.

See also: going to the cinema

Massive stigma attached to going to the cinema alone. Why?! You only sit in darkness for two hours and don't talk to anyone.

[ScottishExile]

As with others, I used to travel a lot for work and would be away 2 or 3 nights a week. No issue with eating alone and more often than not, would head into town to seek out an actual restaurant, rather than just eating in the hotel.

Only twice did I feel slightly uncomfortable. In Buxton once on 23rd December. Restaurant rammed with various noisy office parties and I'm on a table laid out for 2, with 2 settings and 2 crackers etc.

Another time in Warsaw (Lived there a couple of years. Home late from work (9pm) and too tired to cook so went to the restaurant next to my apartment. It too was jam packed but they managed to fit me into the last available table, at the back next to the kitchen. Confused why it was so busy, suddenly realised it's Valentines Day and looking around, everyone else is all lovey dovey and there's me, billy no mates. Neither ocassion put me off my food though!.

Also - as a big theatre fan, I've travlled all over the UK, West End and Broadway on my own to see various musicals and shows. Love it and have no problems and never feel self conscious. The thought of going to a cinema on my own though would fill me with dread. Weird!

[Cotty]

ScottishExile said:

The thought of going to a cinema on my own though would fill me with dread. Weird!

But its dark, no one will see you.

[Lardydah]

Truckosaurus said:

The Americans seem to have solo dining sorted, with most restaurants having a bar/counter where you can sit and eat and/or drink without the stigma of being a Billy No Mates. Also the tip-hungry barstaff will also engage you in conversation.

My thoughts exactly as I read the thread title! Also helped by the fact that most non high-end places in the US have nice big TVs showing constant sport!

Never really done it in the UK outside of an airport, as if at a hotel I usually opt for room service otherwise I'll just grab a sandwich from the supermarket or get a takeaway if I can't be bothered to cook at home.

[mattdaniels]

AmitG said:

we have to adjust our eating rates in order to finish at something approaching the same time!

[Murph7355]

You read the Daily Mail? In public?

[hoegaardenruls]

Have travelled with work quite a bit, and I've never really been bothered about eating solo in a restaurant.

Just staying in the hotel, and eating in there always made me feel like a proper sad f**ker though - so only do that if I've no other choice..

[Baryonyx]

Hoofy said:

On your own? Bit miserable isn't it? Why not start a dining club via Gumtree's community section or on Meetup.com?

It's great. I regularly go to my favourite noodle house on my own. They have wi-fi and invite you to pop on with your laptop or your phone. You can enjoy fantastic food and enjoy yourself. It is a simple pleasure.

[226bhp]

GCH said:

In the uk you are looked at like a loon for eating alone

I don't think you are, if they did I wouldn't give a st anyhow, I once went on holiday abroad on my own - it was ace!