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So I'm all on my own tonight for dinner.
There's a great restaurant near the house. I was planning on just getting take out from there, but now I'm thinking it might be more fun to go and eat at the restaurant/have a beer/ relax.
I went out to lunch alone a few days ago, and it was nice (great view, great weather, etc) but I feel like dinner out alone is different.
So, do you go out to restaurants by yourself? If you do, do you go with a safety blanket (i.e. book)? Do you avoid it at all costs?
Also, what do you think when you see someone eating out at a restaurant by themselves?
If I have something to read I'm perfectly happy to go to dinner alone. Sometimes it's nice to have a little peace and quite/alone time but still be surrounded by people.
@KatNYC2011: I've never eaten at a restaurant by myself.. :( My family made meals, especially dinner "social time" in our house so I get super sad when I have to eat by myself. Even if FI isn't home, I have to eat with my dogs. I pour them some kibble and put their bowls by the table. I am weird. I wait to take my breaks at work so I can time them with someone else's. I don't think I could ever get a table for one without shedding tears lol.
I am extremely shy, so I would never want to go places alone where people might look at me. But to be honest, I would never notice or think bad of somebody I saw doing it themselves. Wouldn't give a lone diner a second thought. Double standard? So I say, go for it. :)
Yes and I don;t have any issues with it. I don't bring anything to entertain myself as I'm going there to eat, not to do other things. Not to mention, I used to be one of the shyest creatures on the planet and always had to have people with me.
There is a crapton of stuff that people need to learn how to do on their own with no one else in attendance and get over their fear/shyness. Eating out is one of them because there are times when you want/need to do things but you don't have the privilege of company going along.
I don't do it often but I always enjoy the alone time when I do. I never really bring a book or anything with me either, lol for some reason it feels rude even though I'm not with anyone.
I've only gone to lunch alone if I had a break in betweeen classes. I felt awkward then so I'm not sure how I'd feel if I went to dinner alone.
I agree with @Aure, I couldnt do it at all, way too awkward.
I go for dinner by myself whenever DH has a night out with the guys, and I really enjoy it. There are a few restaurants I like that he's not all that fond of, so it's a great opportunity to go to one of them and enjoy a dish I haven't had in a while.
Sometimes I'll bring a book or my Nintendo 3DS, or play on my iPhone for something to do while I'm waiting for the food, but I'm just as happy without. I enjoy "people watching". If I let my mind wander I'll often come up with ideas for craft designs or music and jot them down to remember for later.
Whenever I see someone eating by themselves, if they don't look upset or antsy I always just assume they're the lone wolf type like me who enjoys the occasional solo outing. I go to movies by myself all the time too and I know a lot of people who really enjoy doing that as well.
I travel a lot for work and when I'm out of town, I often go to restaurants by myself. I usually sit at the bar and watch TV or go on the internet from my Blackberry. Occasionally I strike up a conversation with the bartender or another customer. It's not too bad, but I would prefer to go out with other people.
If it doesn't bother you I say go for it :) I've only done it at lunch time but I'd do it, though I probably would bring a book or something.
Trying to rack my brain...yeah, I've done it. But mostly when traveling. I've never done it here though for dinner. But I see nothing wrong with it. I purposely have late lunch so I don't have to eat with people. I love going to the movies alone and I love going shopping alone. Don't get me wrong, I'm a very social person, it's just that there are some things I actually love doing alone. So yeah, I'd go have dinner alone. I'd read a book, if I wanted to. But only while waiting for the meal. It's NYC, lots of people watching to partake in :)
I love it but dont do it often . I normally sit at the bar and get work done on my ipad and have a beer.
I do! Mostly lunch, but I have definitely done dinner by myself. I usually stick with less fancy places so I can bring my laptop or a book, but I have definitely been to fancier places alone. With DH gone so much, it's either that or cook at home every night.
I think I'm going to do it tonight (unless the restaurant is super crowded and I feel bad taking a spot away from a couple).
I have some stuff to do around the house, but then maybe I'll go out for an earlyish dinner and some people watching.
Have to hit the road early tomorrow morning but it might be nice to see some people tonight.
Now the question is, do I go to the yummy asian place 1 town over and drive, or do I walk to the yummy gastropub place with delicious cocktails (but is always super crowded)?
I think I have like twice in my life. So, yeah, almost never. (I think it's a waste of money. I mostly go out to eat for the social aspect, so the only time I would is when I really wanted to treat myself, or when I had a bunch of time to kill and needed to eat.)
I always go for lunch by myself. I've never gone for dinner alone, but I would do it if I had to! I love being alone sometimes because I rarely get a chance to be with my own thoughts. I might bring a book, but usually I'll just sit and observe!
My mom and FI think it's quite brave of me to do that because neither of them would go to a restaurant alone, but I never really thought anything of it.
When I see people eating at restaurants alone, I figure they are on a business trip and sick of eating in their rooms, LOL.
I don't do it often because I'd rather talk to someone during dinner. If I'm eating alone, I would rather do take out so I could at least hang out with my dog and watch tv :) In fact, I can't remember ever eating out for dinner alone... I've done it during lunch. But I do that sometimes when I want to read, i.e. go to Panera or ABC and relax! Recently I went to lunch by myself, just ate and sad there... it was awkward not being able to talk to people.
I used to do it all the time during law school, because I always had some textbook I needed to read and I wanted a change of pace from the school. Since studying is over now and the fiance loves going out to eat as much as I do, I don't as much anymore, but I say go for it! Take a book if you want, or go to a social place if you want to chat with people (I have NYC suggestions if you want them).
Honestly I don't usually notice whao other people are doing in a restaurant. I love to people watch, but more like, going out for coffee, kind of people watch. Not going out for dinner. I'm usually too focused on what to order, what to drink, watching my son, helping him color, keeping him seated, you get the idea.
I have never gone out for dinner by myself before, but I wouldn't be opposed to it. I just have no reason to do so.
Also, when I was a waitress alot of people did. Many people travel for business and/or pleasure by themselves, and a persons gotta eat.
I would find it wierd to sit in a restaurant and read. In fact I might even find it a bit rude. I don't know why really, I probably just would.
Anyways, I think you should go out for dinner by yourself tonight. :)
I have. I waited tables for a while and people came in by themselves all the time. I didn't think anything of it. So, I decided to give it a try. It's sad to say but other people really don't care too much what you do.
I've done dinner by myself before and often go to lunch by myself. I don't prefer it though. I'd go to the pub, sounds fun!
I wish there wasn't such a stigma against going out alone, because I actually really love my alone time. In college, one of my favorite things to do was to go and see a movie by myself. As much as I love people, I really do like being all by myself sometimes.
But I do feel really self-conscious eating out by myself, especially at a nice sit-down restaurant. I wish I didn't feel that way--maybe I just need to get over myself!
I've dined on my own on a few occasions travelling out of town for work! Certainly makes you realise the joys of company
@sarahbabs: I'm in Maine right now so NYC recommendations wouldn't really help. Although I'm sure conversation in NYC tonight would be easy... "So, how about that earthquake?"
@rachaelrobin: I'm leaning towards the pub (because I can walk there) but I went there on Friday night with FMIL. The food is FANTASTIC though... hmmm.
I go out to eat by myself with some decent frequency and I've never thought anything of it. I don't take anything with me either. I go and enjoy the food and people watching and just relax.
Nope, never done it. I used to eat breakfast by myself in college but that was the extent of it. Ive actually never even thought about going. My FI doesn't travel so on the off night that he is working late or goes out with friends, I like to enjoy my peace and quiet at home :)
I've gone alone, mostly while traveling. Generally I'll bring something to read, but that's just because I have zero attention span. If I see people alone, I generally assume they're traveling since it's more common to go out alone in that sort of situation.
I wouldn't think you should feel self conscious about it, especially since you are traveling.
I think I'm going to walk up to the gastropub. That way I can have a nice girly cocktail and not have to worry about driving home after.
I'm going to head up there on the early side since it does get busy.
@KatNYC2011: Lol okay. I'm glad you have a good place within walking distance outside of the city - I know when I go back to Michigan I always feel sad that someone has to be appointed DD. Enjoy your dinner and cocktail!
I saw an old man eating ice cream alone once, and it was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. Part of me just wanted to go up and hug him. But maybe he just liked his alone time, too.
I have apparently little pride and no shame. That's right, I don't have a friend, partner, family member, lover, or collegue to go out to eat sometimes. I want to eat out, so I'll go. I love it.
Give me a paper, or a book and I'm golden. If you don't so be it, I enjoy my alone time.
my husband laughs at me because i dont even like to eat at a fastfood place by myself.. if i am going to lunch at work and none of my coworkers want to go i usually get it to go & bring it back to the office or eat in my car at a park or smething... a agent i used to work for told me i have to experiance it once that and goingto the movies alone.. i think thats one of my big fears LOL
Ok, so all of you who say you don't do it, you need to go and do it.
I just went out to dinner. I waited 20 min for a seat at the bar.
I had 2 delicious cocktails. The woman next to me told me she loved my purse. Then an older man (with his wife and another couple) was telling me about the origins of the cocktails he ordered.
I got to eat my dinner and drink my drinks at my pace. The bartender was so nice and the whole evening was fantastic.
I only felt awkward for the first few minutes when I was waiting for a place at the bar. After that I let the ambiance take over and just enjoyed the time. I didn't bring a book. I checked my phone only once (after I had finished my dinner). I really enjoyed it!
@KatNYC2011: Yay! So glad you had a good time!
Now the bigger question - what purse are you carrying?! :-)
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