Doing it alone?

I am with you there, Goose. Wish I was, in fact, then we could go together.

And me!

I am the same goose. I never go to the cinema alone, prefer to wait until the DVD comes out.
On the odd occasion that I have gone with GCs to the Kassam complex (you probably know it as you are a fellow Oxonian aren't you?), I find the volume too high and when I watched Mama Mia from near the front the swirling camera shots made me feel dizzy.

Wow! I'm surprised at the response (so far). I thought I was alone on this one. I wondered if it's because I'm inclined to get claustrophobic...but other situations in confined spaces I can cope with. It, for some reason in my head has to be a 'social occasion'. shysal Yes, I know the Kassam, it's so loud I don't need my hearing aids in there:-)

I wouldn't go to the cinema alone - I'd feel like a billy-no-mates ! I walk down the Chine and along the seafront, also into the gardens down into town by myself but I wouldn't go into the New Forest by myself. When I said this to my daughter she laughed - oh Mum who's going to attak you at your age? Well maybe the old git who flashed me on the bus on my way to work the other day.

Don't mind going to cinema alone as everyone is just sitting in the dark watching the same film. I think this is where GN is useful to discuss what you have just seen and hear others opinions. Maybe I got used to doing things on my own as was alone for a good number of years before meeting my partner but do understand how daunting social events can be if you are on your own.
Senior screen viewings at some major cinemas offer daytime films (often with tea and biscuits) and they are a cheery crowd that attend which might make it less of an ordeal.

I would feel self concious going into a cinema on my own,maybe finding out if there is a group of fellow singletons who would like to go every now and then would help.

I could go to the cinema alone (in the afternoon), or a pub/restaurant that I'm familiar with, but I could never go on holiday alone.
That fills me with fear, although I admit holidays aren't my favourite things due to very traumatic experiences with my exH!

Cinemas, in the afternoons, are usually (apart from school hols) filled with older people, so it's easy to feel comfortable.

'Orange' wed. in particular as it's very cheap!

There are other cinemas though where one could feel quite comfortable. The cinema at The Lighthouse in Poole, for instance or The Castle in Wellingborough - both small, almost "Art house "cinemas where the same chap takes your ticket as sells you ice cream at the interval! Early afternoon matinees are also good, as Ella says - a friend and I recently went to Quartet at our local Odeon (the MK multiplex is a Cineworld and not my favourite place) - when the light s went up there were only 4 of us in the audience!

I often go the cinema alone and I never think twice about it. Sometimes I go with a friend, but as I have a fairly minority interest in films, preferring the art house type to the popular, not many of my friends would want to accompany me. It has never crossed my mind until reading dorsetpennt that others might regard me as a billy no mates - and if they do, so what?

I have lived alone for many years and whilst I am always glad of companionship I have learned to overcome my inhibitions, otherwise I would have spent a lot of time in front of the TV instead of travelling the world.

Films have always been a passion of mine and if there is something I've wanted to see badly enough I'll make the trek, theater too.

I can't say I love it on my own but my need to see a particular film or show has an override function that propels me forward.

The first time is the worst, for me I was just seventeen (you know what I mean) and I wanted to see The Exorcist and no one would come with so I bit the bullet.

As a teenager I often went to the cinema alone (my tastes were different to that of my friends who seemed to prefer the shoot-em-up violent or horror films).

Since being widowed I have been on holiday and travelled alone but I think I would now think twice about going to the cinema alone (and I would never go into a pub alone).

It's thirty years since I went to a cinema (I dislike the modern ones) but often took myself to the movies years ago - in part, I suppose, because I worked in the evenings, when most people went to the cinema - I went during the afternoons.

Oh yes, I saw many a flick to the accompaniment of snoring pensioners!

Love film. Going off to Poitiers tomorrow to see Searching for Sugar Man. 1.30pm showing. Taking sandwiches and choc. bisc. Might even take a flask.
Will try not to snore or spill tea. .

I know I go on about my wonderful cinema [The Quad] but I'm quite happy to go there on my own. They have special screenings for people that are alone where they see the film and then have a discussion about it afterwards. They also have several themed weekends [Dr Who and sci fi this year] where people go along on their own [along with knitting and crochet afternoons, art classes, photography classes etc]. The one drawback with going to see a film on your own is not having someone to discuss it with afterwards [an important part of the experience imo] but that problem has been solved with access to the internet. Not sure that I'd go to a multiplex cinema though. And possibly not the theatre; not sure why; perhaps I look on the theatre as more of a 'get dressed up' occasion.

I never go to the cinema now, I find the volume is too loud and also get annoyed with the sweet wrapper rustlers and mobile phones. If you watch a film on DVD you can rewind it if you miss something.

Goose - I admire you enormously - I'd never have the confidence to holiday alone, so I think you're brilliant. I've never been to the cinema on my own either but the cinema that Tegan mentions sounds great - what a good idea. I wonder if other cinemas would be interested if it was proposed to them.

I think many of you will know that I take a lot of holidays alone - not just out of necessity but because not many women of my age want to do the kind of things I do on holiday, like snorkeling on coral, white water rafting, or tramping for miles up isolated mountains. (Juragran is an exception, of course, and a perfect holiday companion, with a very understanding husband!)
I have no qualms about going into pubs/restaurants/cafes alone either, but I don't go to the cinema because I, too, am rather claustrophobic and I would need to sit on the end of a row very near an emergency exit! Oddly enough, the one situation in which I am trapped for up to 13 hours in a confined space - flying - does not bother me at all.
I think it is better not to think that other people are looking at you and thinking you are a 'Billy no mates'. Most people are not even interested in why you are on your own anyway. Anyway, who cares what strangers think? I wouldn't let it stop me doing anything I want.

I'm quite happy to go to a cinema or theatre on my own. I will eat in a resturant alone too. As greatnan says 'who cares what other people think. I'm not anti social and enjoy outings with friends and family too. Sometimes I like to just get in the car and take myself somewhere. It can be nice just to do your own thing. Haven't been on holiday on my own yet but i don't think I would have a problem with doing it .

I've twice spent a few days in Paris on my own. For me that's the best way to visit a city because I can go at my own pace and see what I want to see. Sounds selfish? Why not? I've been twice with my sister which was OK as we have the same tastes and interests, but maybe not quite the same pace.

Thank you everyone that's replied to this thread so far. I have to do 'things on my own' all the time and sometimes I find it hard, and then I feel I'm being 'weak'. It's uplifting to feel I'm not on my own after all...:-)

I have been to the theatre and cinema a few times in the last year on my own as my wife passed away. I have daughters but I have seen the odd thing which they were not interested in.
I do tell them I am going as I have had the odd surprise. A few months ago I went to 60's evening and they wanted to come. This was unexpected as they were born in the 80's.
I have never been on holidays on my own as I tend to go with friends, daughters and grandchildren.
Saying that I have travelled to the destination on my own and met them there as they have been from different area's.


Frank

When DH was working away form home in Bournemouth he used to have to eat out alone (if he wanted to eat out - a good book helped) He felt awkward going to the cinema alone though but found consolation in going to BSO concerts at The Lighthouse .It is not unusual for a music lover to go alone, their partner may have different tastes or just not like music. The theatre is also possible, but is it the image of men in macs in cinemas that makes a person feel uncomforable?