can be concerning sitting on your own

lol invlined=inclined

I never worry about doing things on my own, although I rarely have the chance! If I do get a day out by myself I am fine with going for lunch, museums or whatever. I don't feel anyone is looking at me or wondering why I am alone, and even if they did I wouldn't care one jot, if I even noticed.

I have always been more invlined to do things on my own without a second thought, whereas DH would never go and do something without me. Perhaps because I was an only Child, and had to amuse myself most of the time, maybe that has stuck with me, who knows.

Just enjoy your coffee/tea/cakes or whatever and don't give it a thought

Thanks for all your replies.
I suppose I have the very old-fashioned idea, going back to the early years of the last century, when people often got married purely for convenience sake, as with the cook, Elizabeth David.
Yes I am a widow Iam64, my late husband died when he was still young and we were seldom apart, which I suppose has not helped. Although I love going to theatre, while he preferred going to the cinema.

Maybe you are recently widowed Cath and feeling vulnerable on your own. Please don't. Just relax, have your coffee or snack and know that you are as welcome in that place as anyone else, as long as you pay your bill!

It may seem intimidating if you are used to going somewhere like that with a partner, but you are not alone. There are many others in the same position and over time you may get chatting with someone else and can make arrangements to meet there weekly or whatever. Keep smiling and willing to share a table

I try to make sure I have a book or a newspaper, so I don't notice if other people are looking at me.
Today I went to Beamish on my own, and was going to have lunch there, but all the cafes/tearooms were full of families. That seems worse when you are on your own. So I went and had bits of twelfth night cake and a fruit punch in the hall, and watched the dancing there, where there were families but it didn't matter as everyone was laughing and joining in. I also had a couple of very long chats with the volunteers there, so I didn't feel like I was on my own.

No, have never felt that Cath tbh I don't think anybody is interested enough in us and why we are on our own.I have never eaten in a restaurant by myself, but coffee shops and cafes, yes.My DD often eats alone in restaurants when away on business and says it doesn't bother her ( but maybe that's different.) I know that you meant to type 'today' and not todsy, but tod means alone, and was the old anglo saxon word for a fox! Foxes always being on their own.

No , I've never felt that. Luckily I still have DH but am quite happy to go off on my own . Having a coffee or lunch on my own doesn't bother me and I'm not concerned what people are thinking if anything.

No never thought that often do things on my own days out even a holiday but never imagine people think I ve done a midnight flit

No having a coffee by myself is something I enjoy. I would love to spend time in coffee shops with DP but he hates it, he fidgets around saying the chairs aren't comfortable, he doesn't like coffee shop coffee and I feel he is constantly waiting for me to finish my drink. I never think about anyway else in the coffee shop, I just get engrossed in my phone or a magazine if I'm bored.

If I go shopping on my own I'll have a coffee or lunch and don't worry about what other people are thinking. I think they are far too wrapped up in themselves. ?

Cath9 I often scarper and leave DH on his own; however, I used to go out every week with a dear friend and I do feel very lost when I go out shopping and stop for lunch on my own now she has died. In fact I rarely stop for lunch if I have to shop these days.
Lots of women seemed to be lunching and chatting with a friend and I miss her very much.

I don't think anyone would be thinking that Cath9

I'm a widow and I've never thought of that. There are times I'm uncomfortable doing things on my own but not for that reason.

Bless you no I don't think anyone would be thinking that

How long have you been a widow Cath ?

I often used to go off to do things on my own when DH was alive, so nothing changed there really after he died. I've never worried about it.

That sounds a bit sad Cath 9. Are you a widow and if so, how long has that been the case. It sounds as though you feel self conscious but why would anyone wonder if you'd scarpered and left your 'poor' husband on his own?

No. Why on earth would other people think that?