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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if you go out for lunch solo?

166 replies

Hesxboon · 17/09/2024 22:38

I have a day to myself Tomorow well afternoon once dd is in nursery. Really want to get my eyebrows sorted and go for lunch, maybe a bit of shopping. Why do I feel like I’m strange for going on my own? Especially lunch. Does anyone else do this? My dd is a handful and I never really get time to myself or to relax, or when I do I just do housework or the endless washing I have most days. Would you find someone lunching on their own odd? Or am I overthinking it?

OP posts:
RainintheDesert · 18/09/2024 08:32

I went on my first solo holiday in May.

I'm an introvert, very much an island, and quite shy. I prefer my own company.

Since getting divorced I have a sense of peace, not having to cater for someone else's moods all the time.

Comedycook · 18/09/2024 08:30

I couldn't see myself going to a proper restaurant alone, but I'd happily have lunch by myself in a cafe

Dillydollydingdong · 18/09/2024 08:27

Take a book or a newspaper, or read stuff on your phone. It's a luxury to have time to yourself.

Wonderwall23 · 18/09/2024 08:25

There have been many times where I've had a day to myself and deliberately chosen to spend time on my own rather than arrange to meet up with someone.

As a personal preference I wouldn't go to a proper restaurant where you have to wait for a meal alone as I prefer to share that time with someone. But I absolutely love sitting at a coffee shop or cafe with a sandwich or similar. I wouldn't think anything of someone being on their own in either scenario. I find it odd that anyone would!

Edingril · 18/09/2024 08:11

That was 99% of my maternity leave and every single chance since

With comments like the op though I find it a bit vain, do you honestly think people care that much? Wouldn't people have their own thing going on?

YellowphantGrey · 18/09/2024 08:10

I do it and dinner or coffee and cake etc. Either take my headphones for my audiobooks or my kindle or a book.

I don't think anyone pays much attention to solo people

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 18/09/2024 08:04

Definitely get yourself lunch! I wouldn’t think twice about doing this if I was out shopping and hungry. And you see it all the time now with people wfh, grabbing lunch solo with their laptop. Take a book or a magazine if you need to but people-watching is great. Enjoy!

BigDahliaFan · 18/09/2024 07:43

Yes if I've gone for a shopping day somewhere or appointment. Less often in my home town for some reason...

Motheranddaughter · 18/09/2024 07:39

Now that my DC are away at Uni I often go into town by myself on a Saturday ,do a bit of shopping,get eyebrows done and have lunch
DH does sport on a Saturday
I enjoy it very much

JMSA · 18/09/2024 07:37

I've done this. It's totally fine.
Enjoy!

TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2024 07:36

I love going out to lunch on my own! I do it when I’m in the office mostly if there’s no one about to go with I embrace the quiet time and sit and people watch.
The only times I eat dinner on my own is when I’m away with work but I take a book and just enjoy eating and sitting until I’m ready to leave. If i’m home alone I’m more likely to order a takeaway 😂

cuckooooooo · 18/09/2024 07:35

Quite often. My dh does most days. I don't understand why any adult would be worried about doing stuff alone, it's a bit insecure and silly

SpringleDingle · 18/09/2024 07:30

I love going for a solo shopping trip and lunch. I used to do this every 6 weeks whilst the dog got groomed. Best 2 hours ever!!!

lobsterkiller · 18/09/2024 07:30

I lunch on ny own, holiday on my own and yesterday did a spa day on my own. It's bloody bliss not having others yammering at you. Do it!

BrimfulofSasha · 18/09/2024 07:27

I absolutely love a date day with myself. Sit in a nice restaurant with a book and have a leisurely lunch. Maybe get a massage or a pedicure. Have a potter around the town, maybe visit a museum. As a busy career mum it’s so nice to just look after myself instead of serving the demands of everyone else.
do it.
and do it as often as you can

Auburngal · 18/09/2024 06:53

I often eat out alone as I prefer shopping alone. One of the reasons is that my friends are fussy eaters. They wouldn't eat Asian cuisine apart from Chinese, Go to Pho, Wagamama, Yo Sushi,

Also sometimes I eat out alone when on holiday. Go solo on a tour holiday with fellow solo travellers. Some days we have a free day or afternoon. I say it has been 50/50 eating alone and eating with a 2-4 others.

AuntieMarys · 18/09/2024 06:01

Regularly do it...at least once a week , ...I go for coffee alone at least twice a week plus I go to bars alone if I fancy a glass of wine when out and about.
I'm married and have friends but don't need them to validate my fun!

sashh · 18/09/2024 04:59

Do it, have a glass of wine as well.

HighPerformingFlamingo · 18/09/2024 04:07

peskypanda · 18/09/2024 03:12

Yes all the time! Especially at work when I need bit of break and time to myself, I pop to a little cafe and hide away for an hour.

I do this too!

HighPerformingFlamingo · 18/09/2024 04:06

It’s nice to do. I have breakfast or lunch on my own at least once a week.

PolePrince55 · 18/09/2024 03:20

NuffSaidSam · 17/09/2024 22:40

I don't like eating on my own, but I wouldn't notice anyone else doing it or if I did I'd just think 'good for them!'.

Same.

I don't even like going to the shop on my own. I prefer company.
If I'd things to do on my own I'd prob arrange to meet someone for lunch.

Some people prefer to be alone & that's ok.

peskypanda · 18/09/2024 03:12

Yes all the time! Especially at work when I need bit of break and time to myself, I pop to a little cafe and hide away for an hour.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 18/09/2024 01:08

I had lunch by myself today in a foreign city. Treated myself to something a bit fancier than usual and had some really interesting, tasty food. Spot of people watching thrown in.

Clarabellasingsthisbit · 18/09/2024 01:04

I do it all the time and I love it!Off again tomorrow actually😄.

I'm going to the theatre on my own at the weekend,and I will go to the bar for an interval drink on my own too.

LonelyInDville · 18/09/2024 00:59

For some odd reason I don’t enjoy eating out just by myself. Not sure why as I live alone time. And I don’t mind shopping and doing other errands by myself. I’m more likely to get it to go and eat at home. I am jealous of those that have no issues with eating out alone.