To ask if you go out for lunch solo?

Love a wee solo lunch or solo cinema. If you feel self conscious start with eg Starbucks or Costa, there are always loads of people on their own with laptops in there. I used to travel UK and abroad a lot with work on my own in my 20s and always looked for a chain I knew on the first day/evening until I got a feel for a place.

I've been going for lunch on my own for years

Really it is not a big deal..

Not sure which way to vote as
YANBU to go out to lunch on your own
YABU to think it is an odd thing to do.

I mean, I could understand the question a bit more if you were asking about going out to dinner in the evening on your own (though I still feel you should), but surely everyone grabs a bite to eat on their own sometimes - when shopping, when at work, when traveling somewhere, or just for a break or even little treat for themselves.

Yes! I also go to films, sporting events, talks, museums, and just about whatever else I please by myself. It's a little harder to find the time now with kids and a husband, but I still do it regularly.

I'm not saying this in a "you're being immature" way, but I remember having a crisis about this as a teen feeling like I would look so pathetic. That insecurity was very real, and it was hard to get over but one of my professors told me to just do it anyways... thank god she did. It quickly became no big deal at all and it's meant that over the years I don't have to do any schedule coordinating or extra talking when all I really want is a nice quiet day, or miss out on things I want to do/places I want to go for want of someone to do them with. And I found out that I truly enjoy a quiet meal with a book or people watching.

Not everyone loves going places alone, but I'm a firm believer that everyone should give it a good go and find out for themselves.

Not strange at all! I often do this. Was out on Saturday for lunch with my DD, and there was a lass on her own at the table next to us quite young (20s at a guess) and she had an afternoon tea!

That did look slightly odd to be sitting with a 3 tiered cake stand in front of her but, why not!

Never had an afternoon tea by myself but any other lunch, yes. And i did go out for a lone Sunday lunch once.

Enjoy your day!

After i got over the idea that I’m not a saddo loner i do it all the time. Take a book, or your phone, or just people watch. Enjoy!

Of course it’s ok to eat on your own, what a strange post.

I travel a lot so eat alone a lot. I usually take my kindle and pop in headphones, no idea if people are staring as I'm in my own happy little world. I'd think they were very odd though if I noticed, there are many reasons someone might be alone; working away, visiting sick relatives, waiting for someone you'd accompanied to an appointment, just wanting to dive into a book in peace... I'd be confused if someone found it peculiar.

I absolutely love it, I go for lunch/dinner/drinks/gigs/festivals, basically anything, all on my own.

Did you never do so before having a child? I don't get it! How can an adult old enough to have a child query going to lunch by themselves? I'm the kind who'd do pretty much anything on my own - dinner, cinema, holidays, hikes, etc but surely lunch is about as basic as it gets. It's lunch! You may as well ask, is it weird to go shopping on my own.

I've been known to lunch on my own. Of course it depends on where you go as to whether men hang around like wasps at a picnic, but it's possible to be rid of them.

Yes. Every Friday. I WFH that day and take myself out to a variety of places for a lovely solo lunch.

I am rarely the only person eating alone. And even if I am no one looks or cares. No one is thinking about you as much as you think they are.

And joyless people: no I am not taking the piss while WFH. I have an hour's lunch break and this is the only day I use of all of it.

I traveled the world solo for a few years so frequently went out for food alone. I enjoy my own company. But now I've got a 3 year old and 4 month old and would love a day by myself shopping and a meal alone. My dream day at the moment would be to go out shopping, dine by myself and book a hotel room and sleep. 😂 I'm a bit tired at the moment.

Just take a magazine or book with you to read at the table while you’re waiting for food.

This is so normal for me, I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

Wouldn't give it a second thought.

Yes I would and do. I wonder if those who say it's a treat to eat out alone would ordinarily have company?

I didn’t even realise this was a thing - I love eating out on my own and wouldn’t think twice about doing so.

It blows my mind that you have got to an age where you are an adult with a family, without ever having had lunch out on your own!
How have you managed this…Do you just never get hungry when you are on your own?

Definitely not weird. I do this every now and then when I haven't got the kids. If I'm feeling self conscious, I tend to sit with my back away from where the majority of other people are sitting🤣

I loved it before becoming a parent and love it now even more. I'm great company 😂

I probably wouldn't go to a pub alone, but I'd eat at a cafe or casual restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Go and enjoy!

I have lunch in the car - I drive away from the office and listen to the radio, shut my eyes sometimes. Need the down time in a busy life at work and young kids at home. Couldn't care what people think, focus on what YOU want.

It really isn't strange to have lunch on your own. Many people have lunch out during work, most people out shopping have lunch on their own. No one will bat an eyelid.

I go for breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever I feel like. Maybe a pint, or a glass of wine. No-one cares. Been doing this for about 40 years now, have never been looked at twice.