Do you eat out alone? ???

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...........

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.

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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 !!!!

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!

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

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.

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.

I would , lunchtime, if I was out shopping etc but not to a proper restaurant, for an evening meal.

Used to stay in hotels on my own when I had to for work, quite enjoyed the occasional freedom to eat what I wanted, when I wanted, and go to bed at a time to suit me without worrying about DH needing sleep, but now I am retired I wouldn't choose to go out and eat on my own. It's cheaper to eat at home, so meals out are for special occasions!

I use to, now I couldn’t, no confidence

I did similar in Paris dragonfly46 Thu 12-Sep-19 08:21:41

I went for a city break with a friend who loves art. We went into the Musée d’Orsay but after a good couple of hours I was ‘cultured out’ and she was in her element! We agreed to part and meet at a certain point two hours later.

I took myself up to the restaurant, asked the maître d’ for a table for one and enjoyed the most delicious lunch with a glass of wine. Result = two happy friends!

If I have to I will - at a hotel for work purposes or out shopping all day, that sort of thing. I wouldn't choose to go out on my own to a restaurant, no.

I don't have a problem eating alone either. Like others I love to people watch but sometimes take a magazine or paper as well.

Yes I certainly do. Mr B is often out in a running race on a Sunday and doesn’t always get back much before 4. So I often book myself into a restaurant on the waterfront have a Sunday lunch and a glass of wine. Love it. Also do it other days if M r B doesn’t want to eat out and I do.