Have you ever eaten in a restaurant alone?

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  1. Libra Rajani profile image61
    Libra Rajaniposted 12 years ago

    Have you ever eaten in a restaurant alone?

    A number of single people refuse to eat alone in a restaurant or go to the movies alone. Are you comfortable with it? Why or why not? Is it about being secure or what others would think of your relationship status?

  2. samanthamayer profile image68
    samanthamayerposted 12 years ago

    When I was younger and in an all-girls high school, I always thought it was terrible to go out alone, to any place. I never really saw it any other way. One day, I think it just crossed my mind that I often saw women shopping or eating alone and it seemed perfectly normal. I think I'd just had some preconceived notion of it all, stemming from high school and the fear of being seen without friends. You realize it's really nothing worth fussing over. I haven't personally seen a movie alone, as I don't go to the cinema that often anyway, but I've eaten lunch at a food court by myself on numerous occasions.
    It's just a reality with people leading such busy lives. It's silly to feel insecure about it or worry that people think you're single. What's so wrong with being single?

  3. hrymel profile image79
    hrymelposted 12 years ago

    I don't mind eating alone, but I usually bring a book with me because I feel like I'm wasting time otherwise. 

    I never go to the movies by myself, not because I don't like being alone, but because seeing movies in a movie theater is a social experience to me, and if I don't want to be social then I can just wathc movies at home.

  4. Marlena Oechsner profile image61
    Marlena Oechsnerposted 12 years ago

    This question reminds me of the Sex and the City episode where Carrie goes out to eat by herself in an attempt to prepare for a life alone, if it should come to that. I always feared eating by myself, but lately, I've done it and enjoyed it. Most of the time, I'm eating alone at a Culver's or something like that (I've never eaten at a fancy restaurant alone). I usually read the paper or check my phone, but sometimes, I just enjoy the solitude of being by myself. I am comfortable with it and I just don't care what others may think of me. That makes me enjoy my meal that much more, even if it is just an order of fries.

  5. marwan asmar profile image66
    marwan asmarposted 12 years ago

    Yes I have eaten in restaurants alone, there is nothing wrong with it, I have even went to the movies alone. I am comfortable with that and don't really care what others think.

  6. profile image0
    Longhunterposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I've eaten at a restaurant by myself as well as gone to a movie alone. I was comfortable with it and really didn't care what others thought.

  7. dashingscorpio profile image81
    dashingscorpioposted 12 years ago

    I've eaten in restaurants alone many times. However usually it's not the formal upscale restaurants. But if it's something like TGIF, Chili's, Red Robin, Red Lobster or anything along those lines I would not hesitate grap a booth and enjoy my meal alone. I've also gone to movies alone many times. Sometimes your significant other doesn't want to see something or whatever. I never let not being with someone stop me from enjoying life!

  8. qeyler profile image63
    qeylerposted 12 years ago

    Only if I know the owners or the staff....i have never eaten Japanese food.  I went to the restaurant and the woman asked; "Table for One?" and it felt so pathetic I left.

  9. nightwork4 profile image60
    nightwork4posted 12 years ago

    many times and i still do. if i'm out doing estimates and i get hungry, i'll eat alone.

  10. wonderful1 profile image82
    wonderful1posted 12 years ago

    Yes, and I suggest it to all singles! My first time eating out alone was when I went to review a restaurant, and wasn't dating anyone at the time. I felt so empowered that night. It's healthy to go out solo and get a sense of independence. We should all be comfortable in our own skin, and not stress about "how we look" to outsiders. How you feel about yourself is all that matters.

  11. healthresource profile image60
    healthresourceposted 12 years ago

    No, I don't like to go for eaten or for show movie alone. if i feel to eat in restaurant, always i go with my friends or some one else.

  12. NessaMetharam profile image59
    NessaMetharamposted 12 years ago

    I have and I have to say that it's not as lonely as everyone thinks. It actually gives you time to think about stuff and lets you bond with yourself and your thoughts. I like doing it once in awhile. At least to treat myself.

  13. Dave Mathews profile image61
    Dave Mathewsposted 12 years ago

    Why not!? If I'm hungry it matters not whether I'm alone or with someone.

  14. itops profile image80
    itopsposted 12 years ago

    yes i have and i always do especially if the restaurant is fairly new. i like to eat at restaurants alone just to try the food there. if i like the food, i usually come back either alone (again), with someone or recommend it to my friends so we can eat there as a group.

  15. Lisa HW profile image62
    Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

    I wouldn't go to a really nice restaurant alone because besides feeling uncomfortable about it, I don't care enough about food to do that.  I either eat out to socialize or else to have some alone time, or else because I'm hungry.  Considering those reasons for eating out, eating out alone is something I've often done.  The world is full of people who work and eat lunch or dinner alone, so it wouldn't  even occur to me to think about the relationship-status status issue.  The world is also full of people who are in a relationship but who eat without having a companion with them.  smile

    I do tend to go more to either coffee shops or more casual places aimed at serving sandwiches on a plate (rather than a platter).

    When it comes to finding a seat I think I'll feel more comfortable with, I look for corners, or at least places where I won't be sitting alone and staring at someone else eating, while that person stares back (even if nobody really wants to stare). 

    If I really wanted to see a movie badly enough I suppose I'd consider going alone; but as with eating out (more so), I go to movies for the social aspect of it.  I can watch a movie alone at home.

  16. Dexter Yarbrough profile image69
    Dexter Yarbroughposted 12 years ago

    Yes. I have eaten in restaurants alone as well as been to the movies alone. I usually take a book or magazine to a restaurant. I don't mind it at all. I have been married for 20 years so I am secure about my relationship status.

  17. fpherj48 profile image61
    fpherj48posted 12 years ago

    Plenty of times!  Most often when I'm out shopping and feel really hungry.  Since I don't eat "fast food," I find a casual eatery, bring a book or magazine and have a nice, relaxing bite to eat with me, myself and I.

  18. Beth Pipe profile image72
    Beth Pipeposted 12 years ago

    Oh my - when I was single I ate in restaurants alone, went to the theatre alone, went to nightclubs alone, went to gigs alone - where is the shame in being single?  I had a *fabulous* time!

    I used to travel a lot for my job and stayed in a lot of hotels so dined alone a lot.  I used to get fed up of business men hitting on me (I wasn't that hot, it was enough just to be female!).  I bought a copy of Stephen Hawkin's a Brief History of Time and displayed it prominently at the dinner table.  I never did read it but it made an excellent deterrent!

    Be proud of who you are - single, married, whatever - and to hell with what everyone else might think.  Many of the couples in unhappy relationships would probably look over at you dining alone and be very envious.

  19. litsabd profile image66
    litsabdposted 12 years ago

    I haven't eatten alone in a restaurant, but I have eatten numerous times alone with my kids in places full of families, fathers and moms with their children having BBQs all around us. I have been married since 1999 but many think I am divorced or something as I am most of times alone with my kids. Therfor, people's opinion doesn't matter..not to me anyway.

  20. NikiDiva profile image60
    NikiDivaposted 12 years ago

    I have gone out alone but in smaller places. In larger restaurants I would sit at the bar. I find it relaxing and to me says that ur not afraid to stand alone. Too many people aren't comfortable with this because they feel like they LOOK lame or lonely

  21. ithabise profile image74
    ithabiseposted 12 years ago

    It's a shame that restaurants don't do more to cater to single eaters. I often feel as though I'm supposed to have someone else with me. No, sometimes I choose to be alone...with a book or my laptop.

  22. Moon Daisy profile image81
    Moon Daisyposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I have eaten in a restaurant alone.  I'm surprised that many people haven't, or wouldn't do this.  I find it relaxing having the time to go out for a meal by myself like this.  I can read a magazine or a book, I can eat as much or as little as I like and take as long as I like!  Bliss.

  23. freecampingaussie profile image61
    freecampingaussieposted 12 years ago

    I had an amazing experience in Sydney when I had a few hours spare . I wanted to see the movie by Julia Roberts , Eat Pray Love ? The movie had started 10 min earlier in the normal theater  & I only pay to see a whole movie .
    The next normal price one finished not long before my flight so for a treat as I had stayed in a real cheap hostel I treated myself to see it in the theater with armchairs !
    I ordered a glass of wine for 20 min after it started and lunch + drink an hour later !
    Ended up I was the only one in there the whole time and the waiter still had trouble finding me ha ha ! Was weird but I enjoyed seeing the movie as I hardly ever go to movies these days.
    As I had recently divorced, missed my daughter I cried but no one was there to see me .
    I never normally do that tho or eat at restaurants alone.

  24. Ramsa1 profile image63
    Ramsa1posted 12 years ago

    I have eaten alone in restaurants many times. It was because of circumstances - late lunch and no one available to go with me, traveling alone on business, etc. I prefer to have company when eating in a restaurant.

  25. sankari.nayagam profile image76
    sankari.nayagamposted 12 years ago

    Not yet and would never like to do so. Eating alone in a restaurant, though it fills our stomach, I believe it will not fill our heart.

  26. cyoung35 profile image82
    cyoung35posted 12 years ago

    Yes, sometimes I just like to read the newspaper and relax without having to carry out a conversation with someone. It's a great way to gather your thoughts and catch up on current events while your doing something you have to do anyway...eat.

  27. profile image0
    bigmoneyonlineposted 12 years ago

    Many times and I am comfortable with it. I've learned to live my life on my own terms long ago and not influenced by what others may say. I own my life and live it responsibly.

  28. romari profile image57
    romariposted 12 years ago

    Of course yes.. This means I can eat wherever I want with or without companion..

  29. charmgirl profile image61
    charmgirlposted 12 years ago

    I have eaten alone in a restaurant and I really don't mind it, but I just wish I could do it without some man slinking up to me saying "You look lonely" I like being alone but I am never lonely!

  30. Hendrika profile image68
    Hendrikaposted 12 years ago

    I have no problem with going anywhere or doing anything on my own, on the contrary sometimes I prefer it. I like being on my own and not having to make small talk or consider someone else. I suppose I am very selfish!

  31. Bella Nina profile image61
    Bella Ninaposted 12 years ago

    I have, and have many, many times.  I am single, and my life does not revolve around when someone else has time to go with me to a restaurant, or a movie I want to see, or the park I want to visit, or the beach where I want to spend the day walking.  Why would anyone give up so much of life and its activities if someone else couldn't be right there with them?

    And by the way, I don't let them stick me in the teeny, tiny tables in restaurants.  I'm a whole person, and I deserve a decent table.

  32. greatstuff profile image91
    greatstuffposted 12 years ago

    I usually have lunch in a restaurant alone when I am in a hurry..when you dine with others, you normally spent much longer time

  33. juiwei2000 profile image57
    juiwei2000posted 12 years ago

    Yeah, like all the time, what is wrong about eating by myself?

  34. moiragallaga profile image79
    moiragallagaposted 12 years ago

    When I was single I had no issues about eating alone in a restaurant. While I acknowledge that eating out is usually a social activity, an experience to be shared and enjoyed with other people, I also did not view it solely in terms of how it reflects on my relationship status or sense of security or esteem. There are moments where I want time to myself and indulge myself without need of having company. I sometimes enjoy treating myself to a good meal and watch the world around me, it is relaxing for me to do that at times.

  35. THEHuG5 profile image61
    THEHuG5posted 12 years ago

    Yes I have! It was terrible I thought everyone was staring at me and the waitress kind of looked sorry for me the whole time. When I see people eating alone though I think that they are independent and confident. Kudos to people who can eat alone.

  36. stariswhoiam profile image59
    stariswhoiamposted 12 years ago

    if I felt like eating at a restaurant alone, i would. i don't care about what other people think.

  37. creativebutterfly profile image61
    creativebutterflyposted 12 years ago

    Yes lots of times I used to feel a little awkward but now I don't mind at all.  If I want something to eat and I am alone then it is ok.

 
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