I feel guilty booking a table in a restaurant!

[SuzieBishop]

I live in a Scottish city and I was checking our favourite restaurant to see if they were taking bookings yet. I think it’s the 15th of July they’re allowed to open. So they were and I booked a table for the very end of this month. I feel uneasy about it though! I reeeeeally want to go out and have a lovely steak and support a local business but on the other hand it just won’t be the same and is it too soon? I just wondered what everyone’s thoughts are so
YABU - it’s too soon, don’t go
YANBU - get a steak down you

[isseywith4vampirecats]

If no one booked a table at a restaurant there will be no restaurants open by September I am going out for a meal on Tuesday as its my OHs 65th birthday we have already lost our main holiday to Scotland last week and this, the gigs I had bought tickets for as his birthday present, and the big party I was going to have for him next Saturday and we are going to tgis where I work so I know how many measures have been put in place to keep people safe plus I get staff discount cant wait to sink my teeth into a tgi steak

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Go for it! Are you allowed to sit indoors in Scotland then? I'm in Wales and can't bloody wait.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

YANBU btw, as long as you're also planning to order starters and onion rings.

[MrsKin90]

Saw fave restaurant was taking bookings earlier this week for next week and booked immediately. Going on Wednesday.
Everything in life is an 'at your own risk' kind of thing so guilty isn't the right feeling. You can always cancel it but based on my personal circumstances I've very little to lose so I'm going. There'll be loads of stuff in place at the right places to make it as safe as possible.

[NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace]

I've booked a table at my favourite diner for late lunch tomorrow. Just me. Can't wait

[Littlepond]

It’s my birthday on Tuesday. Husband and I are going out for dinner. I’m gonna wear a dress and drink cocktails. Can’t wait.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

Yanbu. I’m going out to eat for a friend’s birthday on Thursday

[3ismylot]

We are having lunch out tomorrow, it is DS Birthday today and it's his favourite restaurant. With all the precautions in place and limited seating, it will probably be safer than being in the supermarket where no one pays any attention to the one-way system etc.
I have been pretty careful with lockdown and didn't leave the house for 2 months but this doesn't feel unsafe to me.

[AnnaNimmity]

I'm going out tomorrow. Also can't wait. Why would you feel guilty?
Guilt really is a waste of energy.

Enjoy!

[TARSCOUT]

I'm in Scotland - hadn't actually realised you could now do this. Yipee............Off to book - so fed up cooking!!

[SuzieBishop]

You are all very right!! I never thought of it that way @3ismylot! I hope you all enjoy your meals out!
@JesusInTheCabbageVan no onion rings as onions are the devils food but hell yeah to starters!!

[AteAllTheAfterEights]

I’m in Scotland too and booked a hotel for a weekend early August today too, feel a bit odd about it but the economy will need it

[BadAlice]

DH is going to take me for a slap up lunch next week hopefully (work stuff permitting, we’re in England). I’m so bloody excited it hurts.

[Ghostlyglow]

Do not feel guilty. Life has been shit. Enjoy!

[DazedandConcerned]

I'm out tomorrow night for French food at a tiny local eatery. No guilt.

If we don't go out they won't exist. I worry about the livelihoods of those who work in these industries. I'll make sure to support them as much as I can over the next few months prioritising small independents over large chains.

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

Our local restaurants opened up last weekend for limited indoor seating (in the US, one of the low infection states) and we booked a table at our favorite place right away. I was worried they would go out of business and I wanted to support them.

They had an excellent system, well-spaced tables, asked everyone to look at the menu on our phones unless we really needed a disposable paper one - they'd even attached hooks to the tables to hang your face masks on!

All the staff were wearing gloves and masks and minimised touching items, e.g. no pouring wine, cutlery was wrapped, etc.

The staff kept thanking patrons for coming back and I'm glad we did. The food was as good as ever!

[Srictlybakeoff]

I’m in Scotland and at my “ lodge” in Dumfries and Galloway despite the rain ( not in an area that’s in the latest outbreak) . I will socially distance and probably be in contact with less people here than at home. I have also considered booking a hotel in Scotland in August just to have a bit of luxury.
So it’s been rubbish. We all need a treat. If we do it carefully - and at the same time supporting local businesses- it’s a win win situation. Enjoy .

[Graffitiqueen]

I've booked a table for the 15th. Can't wait!!

[BusyDreaming]

I think it might feel a little weird but I’m so sick of my own home cooking and the mess that the rest of the family make when they take a turn , I’m incredibly excited for our booking on the 15th.
We’re going to a neighbourhood restaurant, know the owners and staff and very much want to support them

[Echobelly]

I think it's fair enough to want to go and to support a local place

[ChasingRainbows19]

We’ve a short U.K. trip booked in 3 weeks. We’ve done nothing since early March. Followed every rule and barely seen anyone up until a month ago. Even now only outside.
Food shopping, work, friend catch ups in gardens weather permitting and walks until then for us so we won’t be tracked and traced before our trip and we will hopefully be fairly safe in travelling.

August I’ll be booking local restaurants/pub for a meal or two. Won’t be going crazy though. We are usually quite active out and about living life as its just us two but I’m no rush to go right back... slowly and hopefully things will at least be ok in summer before winter hits....

[bengalcat]

Get out there and enjoy it . Take comfort in keeping staff in a job and the economy going .

[Thisismytimetoshine]

You've booked it. What's the point of hand wringing now?

[OohThatCat]

We have booked a meal at the local pub on Monday evening for our first wedding anniversary! I am sick to death of takeaways to celebrate things so I am looking forward to it!

I figured 5.30pm on a Monday shouldn't be busy, and they will have worked hard to put all the safety measures in place.

[Paul72]

I'm in Scotland and our local restaurant has been doing carry out a few days each week. they will open on 15th July and I've booked a table for 16th. I would have booked the 15th but I booked a hairdresser for my wife on 15th so don't want to have a mad rush. (Apparently she loves me so much as I managed to get that appointment lol)