To ask if you go out for lunch solo?

So because one poster has said they don't like the fact they might attract unwanted attention, you've decided they mean it's unsafe and no one should ever do it?!

I certainly never said that. What's happened here is you've read one post and decided that women are making it up and must think they are hot as it never happens to you. You've managed to be cruel, dismissive, mysoginistic all in one go - impressive!

You've also inflated two comments and twisted them to support your comments about women making it up.

You're acting as though harassment off men is rare and never happens and that women are making it up.

and you are acting as if women shouldn't be allowed out on their own for fear of being harassed.

@cuckooooooo is right. It is a bizarre thought that some people are trying to create the impression that it is unsafe to grab a bite to eat in the middle of the day, because you are on your own.

I am not long got in from various errands today, and I decided to get something to eat whilst I was out. In light of this thread, I had a look round the other tables. There were plenty of women who clearly feel it is safe to eat out on their own at lunchtime. It seems you have some irrational fear and are trying to make it sound like normal, rational behaviour on this thread. I am sorry for whatever has happened to make you fear living a normal life. That's terribly sad. But lets not pretend it is typical for the vast majority of women.

I'd also never be as rude or arrogant to presume other women who say they've experienced harassment by a male are making it up and insist it never happens.
But you do you.

No, me neither.
You'll see I was quite clear in my post to say that people's experiences are likely to be different from mine, but there is a whole heap of difference between no-one ever harassing me when I've eaten lunch alone in many different places over 40+ years, and harassment being so prevalent that someone feels they can't grab a cuppa and a sandwich on a shopping trip.

I do it all the time.

I am eating out alone at this very moment. It is bliss, a real treat to myself. Someone I slightly know thought they might join my table for a chat but I put them off.

I do this all the time it isn't odd at all. I mean it's normal to be on your own out doing things so it would be weird not to get lunch if you're hungry

I used to go on nights away alone
Shopping /nice hotel etc

I often go out for lunch on my own. It’s brilliant.

Where has anyone declared they can't go to pret and are being propositioned? All the ridiculous mysoginistic thoughts you have can stay in your head you know? You don't have to let them all out.

With that ridiculous and ignorant and harmful comment, you've pretty much belittled anyone who has had unwanted attention.

You're acting as though harassment off men is rare and never happens and that women are making it up.

No wonder men can't see their problematic behaviours when it's easily excused away.

I love my own company & grab the chance to do things alone with both hands! It’s blissful.

Well I've reported them and Mumsnet have removed them so it's not made up.

I'd also never be as rude or arrogant to presume other women who say they've experienced harassment by a male are making it up and insist it never happens.

But you do you.

I think it's odd that some people are so irresistible they can't go to get a sandwich from pret without being propositioned.

I will never ever understand these threads. Why on earth wouldn't I? Why wouldn't you?

I’m eating lunch alone right now!

No, it's nice. I like doing it when I have the time.

I'd say this is a very odd post.

I'm on MN far too much quite a bit, and haven't seen this multitude of threads.

I am absolutely prepared to believe that other people's experiences are often different from mine, but I'm not prepared to pretend that it is impossible to be able to go for lunch in your local Costa / Subway / Supermarket / Pret / Nero / Independent cafe or whatever is in your local shopping centre or High Street, without being harassed.

I've been eating lunch out alone in all sorts of different places (including pubs and transport cafes) for 40+ years and have never once been harassed eating lunch. Potentially you could say I am lucky, or an exception, but I don't think so.
I have daughters in their 20s who are also perfectly capable of going and getting a bite to eat on their own without being harassed.

I would think I had failed at parenting if my child got to adulthood and couldn’t navigate simple daily tasks such as eating lunch in a cafe on their own

I agree with this.

I'm not intending to be argumentative. I can "navigate" eating alone. What I can't navigate is men! Well OK I can and I DO hourly but I don't like doing so.
Maybe I am "hot" but no "hotter" than friends who say the same.
But I'm NOT saying that I can't eat alone and I'm not trying to disagree with what you say. I just get fed up with men hitting on me. Period - as Americans would say.

My perfect day out is lunch then the cinema, both solo.

Agree.

That's definitely an advantage of getting older - one, men hassle you a lot less and two, you don't give a fuck about telling them to "get tae" if they do start any nonsense

I find it strange that you need someone to do these things with. Personally....eyebrow waxing and shopping is much better alone. Lunch is lunch....we all need to eat!

And I am surprised you are surprised.

I would think I had failed at parenting if my child got to adulthood and couldn’t navigate simple daily tasks such as eating lunch in a cafe on their own

Disabilities aside, to an extent, as through DPs work I know many people who are registered as disabled but live very independent lives, including going out for a sandwich in their own.

I'm puzzled by the PP who said so much planning was required if she wanted to eat out alone. I've been eating out alone for forty-odd years. The only planning required was making sure I had all the stuff I'd want for the day in my backpack, and getting the train into town and possibly trams elsewhere. I've never been harassed by men while eating out (and rarely in general). I'm well aware that isn't typical. I don't eat at pubs, because I loathe the smell of beer (and cigarettes until they were banned indoors) and don't like drinkers of either sex. Now that I drive there's only the matter of finding a car park. What's all the planning - unless it refers to having to get children organised first - involved?

Breakfast in an hotel alone this morning. Was glorious.

If I'm out shopping on my own and I'm hungry and it's lunch time then yes, I'll have lunch on my own. I've never even thought it might be wierd. I also have breakfast out alone

I also work next to a pub which does lovely lunches. I probably have my lunch there alone about once a fortnight. I feel no embarrassment.

Do it OP. Hope you enjoy it.