Gransnet forums

Chat

Going to the cinema alone

(99 Posts)
DaisyL Sun 08-Mar-20 10:14:07

Yesterday afternoon I went to see Emma by myself. None of my friends or family could make it and I really wanted to see it, (good fun by the way) so I bit the bullet and went alone. First time I've ever done that but I shall do it again. My husband died four years ago today and I've been on holiday alone but somehow the cinema has always been a couples or a group thing. What does anyone else think?

Franbern Sun 08-Mar-20 16:53:37

Loving the fact that I can easily tootle along to local cinemas (where I lived in London previously - they were car or bus ride away). Happy to go on my own - and have no concerns about being where other people are, although have found that afternoon shows do not seem to get large audiances.

littleflo Mon 09-Mar-20 08:15:35

I love the cinema and often go on my own. Maybe we could have a films recommendation thread. I liked Parasite, Emma and Military Wives. I am now looking forward to Mulan and the Secret Garden.

BlueBelle Mon 09-Mar-20 08:27:22

I go with friends or I go alone if I want to see something they don’t I go alone and vice verse
I ve been on holiday alone I go shopping alone or I go with friends I mix and match all are acceptable and fine
The only thing I ve never done alone and wouldn’t is go in a pub I m not really a pub goer anyway (I don’t think I ve been in a pub apart from lunch for about 25 years) but I would just feel too much like I was ‘sticking out like a sore thumb’ and I d be too uncomfortable

grannypiper Mon 09-Mar-20 09:26:43

Oh i love a vist to the cinema on my own, it is bliss. Glad you went OP at what must be a difficult time of the year

annep1 Mon 09-Mar-20 20:21:39

I prefer going alone. It's a real chill out time.
I have been to concerts (Seekers and Art Garfunkel) alone, orchestra, ballet, at times when no one else was available. Someone always chats to you.
The only thing I wouldn't do is go to a pub alone in the evening. I think that would be a bit weird.

CanadianGran Mon 09-Mar-20 20:55:34

There are a few things that I regretfully denied myself because I couldn't find someone to go with. You have all inspired me to go adhead - thank you.

My DH likes horror movies, but I don't. He never has forgiven me the time I refused to go with him, and he had to walk home in the dark by himself. shock

Tangerine Mon 09-Mar-20 20:58:33

I go on my own sometimes but prefer to do so in the daytime.

annep1 Mon 09-Mar-20 21:46:05

I don't mind early evening, but going at midnight as someone said...definitely not. I'd be too scared.

gillybob Mon 09-Mar-20 22:31:32

There are films I would love to see but have no one to go with. I wish I had the confidence to go alone but I don’t .

Maggiemaybe Mon 09-Mar-20 23:19:22

gilly, look out for special screenings like the Senior Vue ones. They’re never crowded, there are no rowdies grin, and lots of women go on their own,

annep1 Tue 10-Mar-20 00:09:48

Gillybob honestly you will be fine. I felt odd the first time but now I actually prefer going alone. It's just so relaxing. No one even notices. Would you notice someone going alone. My daughter goes alone too. Lots of people do. Times have changed.

Crazygran Tue 10-Mar-20 11:20:27

It drives me mad when people say I can’t go on my own . You don’t actually talk to anyone during a film and life is too short to wait for others .

Blackcat3 Tue 10-Mar-20 11:23:59

I've been going to the cinema, theatre etc for years...….at least 40! often go with people as well but if no one else is interested in seeing something I want to see, I would rather go alone than miss out or worse go with a reluctant companion!

optimist Tue 10-Mar-20 11:24:42

I go to the cinema both on my own and with friends. Both are enjoyable. When my husband was alive we both did a lot of things separately and this often meant doing things on our own. This has meant that after his death five years ago I have been used to solitary outings. I am so pleased that I was not totally reliant on him.

M0nica Tue 10-Mar-20 11:26:51

I have never really understood why people do not like doing things by themselves. I have been wandering off and doing things by myself since I was about 8. Other people didn't share my imterests so I went off and did my own thing.

I have never quite understand why people will think people are looking at them. Unless you have a shark sticking out of your head or have nothing on, it is quite depressing sometimes, how uninterested and blind people are to what everyone else is doing and looks like.

I am so comfortable out alone because it never occurs to me that anyone would waste any time looking at me and what I am doing.

Noreen3 Tue 10-Mar-20 11:33:56

I go to the cinema by myself.I saw Emma recently,I enjoyed it.I lost my husband 2 years ago,I go to places where I socialise,keep fit,volunteering,and going out with my daughter.But it's not been a problem to go to the cinema,theatre or a Wetherspoons alone.I can't be with the person I want to be with,as he's no longer here.

NannaToon Tue 10-Mar-20 11:36:54

Yes I go frequently to the cinema and to the ballet as OH works shifts and he wouldn’t go to the ballet anyway. Enjoy.

Purplepoppies Tue 10-Mar-20 11:39:20

I have been to the cinema alone several times. Mainly because I had nobody to go with. People working, no money, no babysitter etc.
It doesn't bother me at all. I've eaten alone in restaurants (not high end admittedly) and am currently considering a solo holiday (once this covid-19 is over). I'm quite comfortable with my own company. Just aswell really... ?

Patsy429 Tue 10-Mar-20 11:41:10

No problem going to the cinema or theatre by myself. If friends aren't available or don't want to see something I will just go off and enjoy myself. Isn't it funny, as I get older, I don't really mind going places on my own. Dragged my husband around the Tate Gallery in St. Ives last week. He spent most of the time chatting to one of the attendants and I would have spent much longer there if I had been on my own!

Kim19 Tue 10-Mar-20 11:43:00

Go regularly on my own. Much prefer company but if I want to see a film, and no one else is interested, I'm happy to go alone.

Paperbackwriter Tue 10-Mar-20 11:44:11

I very rarely go to the cinema but when I do, it's usually on my own at a quiet time. Much prefer it that way.

jaylucy Tue 10-Mar-20 11:45:23

Well done you!
It's amazing what things that you can do on your own !
I have been on midweek breaks and also to several concerts on my own, including overnight hotel stays and each time I have been met and helped by very kind people including a group of 20 somethings from Birmingham that not only fetched me drinks during the concert to insisting on escorting me across to my hotel even though they might well have missed their last train! (Maybe they saw me as an aged aunt or something !!!)
I used to get so fed up with wanting to go somewhere or do something and couldn't persuade anyone to come with me!
One positive thing is that you often also find that you make new friends - just chatting to people in queues, I have gone for a meal or even afternoon tea after the cinema and it has now become a regular meet up!

Patsyfagan Tue 10-Mar-20 11:45:36

Haven't tried going to cinema alone yet but did join golf club and dance lessons even though I didn't know a soul

polnan Tue 10-Mar-20 11:49:23

oh gosh, I am a ninny! I can shop on my own.. learning though, thanks for all the encouragement here.

Moggycuddler Tue 10-Mar-20 11:52:28

No problem to go alone. Lots of people do.