Do you eat out alone? ???

Further to my previous reply I will sometimes decide to go out for the day on my own. If I am out enjoying something that interests me but not others , it’s nice not having to worry if someone else is bored . Stop when I am hungry and not have to do or look at things I don’t particularity want to. I often enjoy time and trips with others too but it’s nice to indulge yourself occasionally.

Please don't confuse "alone" with "lonely", they are not the same thing at all!
I'm another one who doesn't have a problem with eating out alone.

I admire you all, I know I’m pathetic!

I don't really enjoy eating out alone. Sometimes have an egg sarnie and a cuppa in M&S after a shopping trip, but it's not so nice as having someone with you.

A freebie coffee and cake with my reward voucher in John Lewis is usually all I bother with. Seems a shame to waste a freebie.

I will go into a cafe at lunchtime for a sandwich or something if I'm out shopping but wouldn't have a full meal and also wouldn't go into a pub on my own for something to eat (or drink for that matter). I too used to stay in hotels for work occasionally and loved it but it was equally nice to sit at a table with colleagues for breakfast or dinner and chat.

I'd just as soon get on my bike and come home and eat in my kitchen or garden, where I can gobble to my heart's content.

I have no qualms about eating alone whilst out.
Having said that I probably wouldn't bother, I'm more likely to grab a sandwich (we have lovely deli and cake shop) eat in the car or if sunny sit on park bench and people watch from there.

When out about myself,
I often pass coffee shops in our village or local towns,
but I think why bother I can have a nice cup of coffee from my nespresso at home.

I'll be doing this in Venice next Sunday night as I my flight arrives too late to be sure to be able to buy food and cook something. I'll take a book and be fine!

Oh yes ...always do everything on my own and I LOVE it ...ha ha … I have dinner anywhere I fancy, lunch very often …..stay in hotels on my own, holiday on my own ...don't have a problem with it or a choice ! ...If I didn't, I would have to just sit at home on my own which would be no fun …….I don't look forward to the days when I can perhaps no longer get about ….then I guess it is one of those meal delivery services …..or COOKING !!!!

postscript ...the only thing that really REALLY annoys me is singe supplements ...some lovely holidays advertised in the newspaper supplement this weekend ...for families, groups, couples, even single parents BUT NOTHING for single adults …..grrrrr

I'm quite happy aging lunch or coffee on my own, and if I'm on a coach trip don't find it a problem eating dinner or sitting in the bar after dinner on my own. However when at home, I do find it hard to go out for dinner in the evening on my own. Part of it is down to my mother drumming it into me that a LADY does not frequent bars or hotels on her own!

I like nothing more than people watching so a large latte or two are my only companions but would not want to be alone were it a restaurant meal.

Yes , prior to my husband retiring I would travel without him
Soo I kinda had to

ALAN - I'm guessing from your name (although I could be wrong!) that you're a man? Do you think women doing these things on their own are judged in a way that men aren't, or that they're treated differently? It's only my opinion, but I still feel that a man is afforded a lot more freedom - no-one bats an eyelid if a man sits with a pint and the paper at the pub, but a woman doing that would be judged for having no friends/'being on the pull'/whatever. And then there's the whole safety issue - a woman on her own is seen by some men as easy prey.

It has never bothered me eating out on my own I really enjoy it,going to Town and having a set Menu at one of the nicer restaurants with table service.
I always take a book to read or listen to the City gents/ladies talking in telephone numbers whilst they try to impress each other as to how important their jobs are.

I quite enjoy it.

I was by myself for 20 years until I remarried 3 years ago. So did meals (mainly lunches, I must admit), theatre and cinema by myself. Also three holidays through a group organisation for singles.

If I go off shopping in nearby Truro I'll have lunch. I have 2 favourite places. Take a book or people watch. It's is surprising how many other 'single' diners there are.

I shared a table with a lady a few weeks ago and we started to chat. Very enjoyable. The most talking I'd done for months (besides to my DH)

I don't mind at all. I take a book with me. I work from home and there are occasions when I need to get out of the house and put the housework mess I've not had time to deal with behind me for a while.

No confidence at moment. Husband , now deceased, never wanted to dine out so have over 30 years of staying in to overcome. Have a very dear friend who i go out to lunch with every couple of weeks and i am feeling more comfortable. Going on my own is a whole other thing. But maybe in a year or two...........

No problem for me. If I wanted to eat and was on my own it wouldn’t bother me in the least to eat alone. I wouldn’t give it a second thought, why on earth not?

I probably would have done at one time but my confidence took a knock after a mini-stroke nearly 2 years ago as it's always been on my mind that it could happen again.

I certainly don't live my life as a misery, far from it and it annoys me when I think of how I used to be " up for anything ".
I still do everything that age allows but I don't go very far distance-wise but being as I enjoy cooking and baking I'm happy to eat alone as I have done for over 25 years.

Yes, I do. Not the full blown dinner experience but I have no problem during the day. Have my phone to hand so that I can read the paper or even come in here and browse. People are too busy with the themselves to bother about what you are doing. We are all the star in our own show!

No problem at all but not accompanied by a book!

Witchypoo, take it slow. Perhaps try a few smaller cafes and things first. Then graduate to larger restaurants. Myself, I go to pubs and restaurants by myself or with family. If I am alone, I always have a book or Kindle with me. I dont think it is as unusual for women now, as it used to be. I have friends who also eat out alone. For those who are thinking about it , honestly it's ok once you begin. I go to theatre, cinema etc on my own, it's either that or miss out. Not everyone shares my taste in things.

What Riverwalk said.
I enjoy sitting in a cafè alone, people watching.

Yes, I have done.
I have been away for short breaks and been to concerts on my own too and have been so surprised how helpful and friendly some people can be - even to having a group of 20 somethings insisting on escorting me to my hotel as well as fetching drinks for me during the concert, when they found out I was on my own!
As far as meals are concerned, Certainly when I'm away, I have had meals on my own. If I have the choice of where I can sit, I'll choose a table at the edge of the room - I find that if I am seated by staff, you often get put at a table in the middle of the room!
I'm a people watcher so have a great time just watching others - often other people will ask to sit on the spare seats , and have chatted to many people - often to find they live not far from me!