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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?

Ydoc Tue 10-Mar-20 11:54:27

Since losing my mum 3 years ago I've been going to the cinema every week alone, several times. So that now I much prefer it, what's the point of going with someone you can't talk to them. There there's all the worry of are they enjoying it etc. No much better alone.

NanaRayna Tue 10-Mar-20 12:08:30

I LOVE going by myself! Generally at an 'off peak' time with my old lady ticket reductions to just go lose myself in technicolour entertainment! It's usually near empty for the daytime showings too, so not too many chatterers, phone checkers, wrapper rustlers or screaming kids either. Just how a film should be enjoyed!smile

Froglady Tue 10-Mar-20 12:09:07

I do go to the cinema on my own and have no problem with that at all. If I waited until someone wanted to see the same film as me to go together I would probably never see the films!

ALANaV Tue 10-Mar-20 12:12:21

Oh yes...many times ! where I live now there is a wonderful cinema like a nightclub ...sofas, little tables for your meal or drink, a bar ….the kind of place my mother would have called a Den of Iniquity …..ha ha …..but its great ...all the new films (Military Wives last Friday for instance) and many others AND ..the best thing it is in the City centre with transport and afternoon showings ! Also go on holiday on my own ...cruise next week (virus permitting !) then Russia later in the year along with Nashville in the autumn. Sometimes people speak to you, sometimes not ...next time I will try Passion for Cruises and other specialist singles holidays as the single supplement on most is extortionate (I e I am paying almost double for my cruise ! I did book a last minute the other Friday ...flying on Sunday, to Prague ...4 star hotel, all inclusive, flights etc and private taxi from airport (I was the only one going to that particular hotel ...not a tour) all in for less than £500 for five nights ...found my way around Prague very easily and joined some walking group I found on a tour of the Cty ...wonderful and Prague was a beautiful place ….go for it !

grandtanteJE65 Tue 10-Mar-20 12:15:00

I would happily go to a cinema, theatre or concert on my own, and to a restaurant, although I don't find it very enjoyable on my own, but I am too old-fashioned to go into a pub alone, unless I know I will meet friends there.

Chino Tue 10-Mar-20 12:17:57

I often go to the cinema alone as I have a different taste in films to my husband. Only recently had a small cinema open inside our local Garrick theatre which is nice as previously would have had to travel to another town to visit a cinema which was too much effort unless it was something special

Annanan Tue 10-Mar-20 12:29:12

I couldn’t agree more! I used Togo to the cinema with a hyper-critical friend and I learned to dread her acid and always negative comments. So now I go alone, don’t share the popcorn and don’t have to think of a witty comment when I leave!

Stella14 Tue 10-Mar-20 12:34:35

I really enjoy going to the cinema alone.

Riggie Tue 10-Mar-20 12:40:28

Im the same charleygirl. There was a "cafe-bar" near where our disabled son has activities and I was quite happy to go in there, sit on the sofa with a cuppa and wait for either him to finish or dh to arrive from work and we'd have a meal. Admittedly it was always quietbI might not have gone if it had been crowded. It recently closed down and there are a couple of pubs nearby but strangely I dont fancy either of them on my own.

cannotbelieveiamaskingthis208 Tue 10-Mar-20 12:44:53

I love going to the theatre alone.

Theoddbird Tue 10-Mar-20 12:45:07

I often take myself out for a meal but I have never been to cinema or theatre alone. I will have to do it. I actually want to see Emma but don't know anyone else who does.

Chris0 Tue 10-Mar-20 13:03:18

I will go to the theatre alone but only the afternoon matinees.
Going to the cinema alone would feel a little wierd to me but I am not a fan of cinema so not too bothered.
I am trying to pluck up the courage to go on holiday abroad alone as my sister now cannot afford to go but will probably do a last-minute thing so I have no time to brood on it and talk myself out of it. Thinking of a singles holiday group.
I am married but husband and I live seperate lives.
I do go away for weekends with my grown up children which is nice.

grannybuy Tue 10-Mar-20 13:08:09

Though I'm pleased to go with friends or family, I'm also happy to go by myself, day or evening. Sometimes it's easier to go by yourself instead of trying to fit in with others.

SueB14 Tue 10-Mar-20 13:59:28

Odeon Cinemas do ‘Silver Cinema’ during the day for mature cinema goers. Ours is on a Tuesday and Thursday at 11am or 2pm. The films have usually been out a couple of months before they show them to us oldies. Price £3 a ticket with a cup of tea or coffee as well. Lots of people go on their own to this. Bargain!

Chardy Tue 10-Mar-20 14:00:37

Welcome Daisy.
I go to theatre, football matches and cinema alone. Frankly it's much nicer than dragging someone else along who's 'unenthusiastic'.

Grosvenor Tue 10-Mar-20 14:03:12

I was on holiday in Egypt on my own, and wanted to eat in the hotel's a la carte restaurant. Was placed at a round table that would have seated twelve, and had three waiters to help me eat my way through five courses. There was a wedding party at the next table, so I enjoyed watching and listening to them.
Once you've taken the plunge, doing things alone gets easier, cinema, theatre, holidays, and can be most liberating.....

tingaloo Tue 10-Mar-20 14:13:50

I frequently go to the cinema on my own since my husband died four years ago. I love it, and if I go in the daytime I usually don't have anyone next to me, and still feel as if late dh was there by my side. Sometimes I even find myself giving the space a nudge during the exciting bits, or turning to see if he is enjoying it. I've been to the theatre a couple of times on my own too, but I have to admit it isn't as easy, especially during the intervals.

Sheila1952 Tue 10-Mar-20 14:21:17

I've been going to the cinema alone for years but I know how strange it felt the first time. I've also travelled alone too and enjoyed making my own choices. I planned the days ahead so I knew what I would be doing. The whole experience of doing things alone made me more confident. However, I did have to leave my comfort zone at the begining. It was worth it. I know now that if my partner was no longer with me I would be able to cope.

glammanana Tue 10-Mar-20 14:26:11

Downton Abbey was released to the public on my birthday last September and I took myself off to the early afternoon screening, a couple of people asked if they could come with but they got a firm No from me one was a friend who can't help talking through everything and another wants to know the plot before it even becomes apparent.
I got best middle isle seats,and no one with noisy sweet papers.

kwest Tue 10-Mar-20 14:28:32

I have done it and loved it. I don't get much free time but it is one of those things right up there that i want to keep doing.

live7 Tue 10-Mar-20 15:11:27

I quite often go to the cinema on my own because if there's something I'd like to see then I will go to see it, even if I'd prefer to go to someone. I often invite friends/whassapp a group but sometimes it's a lot of effort to organise and so ofter will just get up and go when it suits me. Always really pleased I made the effort to go.
I did my keep fit class today and on the way home thought I'd stop for coffee. Once in I decided to have some lunch as it was past noon. I really enjoyed it and think I'll do that again. I would probably not go out for an evening meal on my own though.

Rowsie Tue 10-Mar-20 15:49:07

I go to lots of things on my own and I am glad to hear that DaisyL went on her own. I actually quite like it as I can choose where to sit and am not distracted by anyone else. I have also been to the theatre on my own and also music concerts (but I have to say going to music concerts on your own is not quite so much fun...if everyone starts getting up and bopping around you feel a bit silly doing so on your own..or else you look like a right misery if you stay seated!)

cookiemonster66 Tue 10-Mar-20 15:54:55

I go to the cinema on my own at least a couple of times a week. Most cinemas also have special daytime screenings for more senior people at Odeon they called it it silver cinema, usually at either 11am or 2pm with free tea and coffee and biscuits! Plus discount rate of couple of quid, I know cineworld do similar thing!

Susieq62 Tue 10-Mar-20 16:18:29

Going to the cinema alone is a great move!! I am happy to do so but it’s nicer to be able to discuss the film afterwards.
I always feel safe in the cinema or theatre alone!!
Well done for biting the bullet and doing it. Sometimes it is easier to just go for it as opposed to waiting for others to make up their minds!

EthelJ Tue 10-Mar-20 16:25:31

I went to the cinema alone for the first time this year and I liked it. I foun sit very relaxing. Also it made me wonder why I hadn't before. You chat speak to anyone while watching a film so going alone doesn't really matter.