Would you ever go to the cinema/ theatre on your own?

Cinema, cafe , pub etc definitely.
Back in 2017 after a few horrendous years I decided to go to Tokyo for a week by myself. I am in Aust. Husband was still working and he happily waved me off.
It was such a brilliant time. It was my first time to Tokyo . Hoping to go again by myself next Feb or March . Husband happily is booked for Denmark this year for a couple of weeks.

I like being in a cinema or theatre on my own. A bit of blissful peace.

I would go pretty much anywhere alone! I have been doing it all my life starting at the first youth club I remember going to when I was about thirteen. I was a bit self conscious at first but as none of my friends wanted or were able to come with me I took the plunge! I am a chatty person so it was easy to make friends and get involved. That lesson has served me well all my life and I am particularly glad of it now as I’m divorced, retired but still chatty and unfazed by being alone,even if I’m the only unaccompanied person in the room!

Of course why not? it is not the same as going with someone and share the experience, but can be very pleasant indeed. I do everything alone if no one wants to come, their loss in my eyes. If you want something to eat in a restaurant do it, if you want to go to the cinema or theatre do it, if it is out of your comfort zone, face your fears you will be pleased you did. Good luck

Yes, have been to the Cinema on my own, quite a few times. The first time is the hardest but it’s fine. Plus you get to eat all the nibbles yourself ?

Often go into a Cafe on my own, maybe for coffee and a cake, or even a meal.

Don’t really like going into a pub though on my own, do t know why, just doesn’t feel right tbh. X

I like going to the theatre, cinema and cafes on my own. Not that fond of pubs so wouldn’t go alone. The only time I’ve ever eaten alone in a restaurant is when I’ve been staying at a hotel by myself and dined there.

I used to go every other week on my own.

Went to cinema and theatre alone when my husband was alive because he was deaf. The past thirty for years since his death I have preferred to do so and also holidayed and travelled abroad alone.

I will happily do most things on my own, including travelling/holidays. I don’t spend time alone into pubs that don’t sell food, in the UK.

I'm quite happy to do a lot of things on my own such as swimming, going to the gym they tend to be quite solitary pursuits anyway. I'd happily go for a coffee or something light to eat if out shopping on my own. A few years ago when we had painter/decorators in and there were a couple of them doing our hall and stairwell I thought I'd leave them in peace. Husband out playing golf, I took myself off to see Daniel Day Lewis's last film, Phantom Thread, I wanted to see it, but my husband wasn't keen, it was the afternoon hardly anyone in the cinema, I did feel a bit conspicuous, I don't know whether I'd make a habit of it which is foolish of me, no reason not to do anything on your own.

Zaseret
Okay, point taken
Obviously I wouldn’t or couldn’t actually prevent him from going, but yes, it does make me feel sad to think of him going on his own.

Each to their own and who are we to judge, but it’s sad to miss out because of misplaced embarrassment or awkwardness. Like some others, I actively enjoy going to the cinema alone where I only need to worry about myself. I too went to Downton alone this week. Others might well have pointed out it was a nonsensical piece of fluff but I was very pleased to go.

My husband likes theatre but hates musicals, which I love. I do have various friends I go with but sometimes I end up going alone rather than miss it. Quite often, one ends up chatting to others in the interval and I’ve had some interesting conversations with other aficionados, not least at a performance of Fiddler in the Roof with someone from the original production with Topol.

Despite my opening sentence, I can’t help but wonder what we would say about a husband refusing to allow his wife to see something she would enjoy, because he would feel sorry for her!

It wasn’t until lockdown that I decided that going for a walk on my own was alright, because everyone was doing it.
I admit I quite enjoy it now, I have a dear friend who regularly takes herself off to NT properties at the weekend, if I ask her if she wants some company, she says no thanks, why would she?

Since my lovely husband passed away nearly 6 years ago, if I had to rely on people I would never do anything ... yes first time doing things & going to places on my own quite daunting, although, after first time gets easier. I have been on the bus, train, theatre, cinema, cafes to different places ... first time I went to the cinema I was a bit unsure what I had to do, I spoke to a lady & friends ever since ... may I add only see her occasionally ... I would say to you ... go for it ... I did ... do I have any regrets ... no I don't ... remember if you rely on people you will never ever do anything ... many people go to places on their own ... only thing I would say is if you do go to the cinema/theatre go of an afternoon, as personally lighter during the day, I would not go of an evening unless with someone else ... next time you post ... hope its to say ... I'VE DONE IT ... also will say this to others ... GO FOR IT ... nothing to loose but everthing to gain

M0nica It’s interesting that you mention running errands and visiting the library alone because those are the very things I did as a primary school-age child for my working mother. I would get the shopping and then leave the bags with the council concierge who guarded the roped steps which lead up to the children’s library. I had siblings but have always enjoyed doing things on my own.

Me too Riverwalk I go to the cinema a lot. Plenty of women there in the daytime, many alone but few men even for films that one might think had a masculine appeal. Is this why? Are some not allowed out on their own?

A word of warning for married women who won’t do things alone. If your husband dies before you it may prove much much harder to adapt to life on your own. It's hard enough - I know only too well - but being already used to doing things alone may ease the transition.

I have done things on my own all my life, am not worried and don't care what other people think.

I often go to the cinema or theatre on my own, will go to the pub on my own, and eat out on my own. I have just booked to see the new Topgun film on my own, and will sit back and enjoy it with a large glass of wine! Since DH died I have also done holidays on my own, and river and sea cruises.

I have two more cruises booked, and also a long haul holiday. I prefer holidays on my own as I can please myself what I do, and not worry about anyone else.

I know, he thinks I’m a bit crazy, but I’d feel sad for him among all those couples, eating a solitary ice cream.

I was really referring to you not letting your husband go alone as you'd feel sorry for him.

As you say, each to his own if you don't want to go alone, but your husband does!

Sorry, posted picture on wrong page!

The Little Mermaid for Ash.

Riverwalk
Really?
Each to his own I suppose
I admire you all, but I just wouldn’t feel comfortable.

Sara1954

I have never done it , and I don’t think I could.
Sometimes my husband would like to see a film that I don’t, and would be happy to go alone, but I won’t let him. I’d be feeling sorry for him all alone.

I find this strange

I am puzzled why anyone could ever think twice about doing anything on their own. We are not a country like Afghanistan where a woman on her own is banned or frowned upon.

As we grow up we feel proud and excited when we first walk to school on our own. Someone who needed someone with them when they went to or from work, or who wouldn't ever leave the house alone would be thought odd, or would be mentally ill. Did no one ever run errands for their Mum as a child? Would you go to the library on your own? I cannot see how any of that differs from going to the cinema or into a cafe or restaurant.

At what age does this reticence about doing normal everyday things alone set in and why?

I actually prefer to go to the cinema, theatre or opera on my own. This way I am not worried if the other person is having a nice time or enjoying the event.

My husband never really enjoyed going to the opera exhibitions etc and would somewhat reluctantly occasionally go with me but I knew he wasn’t keen so I found it was more enjoyable to go by myself as then I was not worried about him being bored. The alternative would have been to hardly go out at all and miss doing things I alone enjoyed - what a waste.

I am now, sadly on my own, I do not find it difficult to go anywhere on my own at all. I go on holiday alone and can do as I want and not have to be worried or concerned that someone else might not be having a good time.

I must say I am a very hospitable person and I know friends would love to go with me but I prefer to go it alone. This way I can do and see what I want to do.

After fifty three years of caring for my husband, a large family and very busy job I can now do as I please and enjoy myself.

I went alone one afternoon to the cinema , a strange experience indeed as I was literally alone !! The only person watching the film - very eerie. Not an experience I wanted to repeat . This was pre pandemic so perhaps now it's not such a bad idea!!!