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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is going for a coffee alone strange?

115 replies

LonelyNight2 · 12/06/2025 14:45

I’m sat with a nice coffee right now watching the world go by. When I told DH as I was heading out what my plans were, he looked at me as if I had gone mad! Anyone else enjoy a solo coffee occasionally or do you find the idea strange too?

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2025 15:45

Not weird in the slightest. Is your DH uncomfortable doing things on his own?

Isouf · 12/06/2025 15:43

From the following comments you were at home with him and left to go alone for coffee...I think he is allowed to think is a bit strange but not a big drama.

I can't thing of any occasion where i would go for a coffee without my wife if she was also in the house and free (unless she had annoyed me beforehand 🤣)

I go for coffee alone all the time if she is at work though.

Eldermileniummam · 12/06/2025 15:42

Sounds fine to me

Toddlerteaplease · 12/06/2025 15:41

I do most things on my own. If I didn’t I’d never do anything.

paradisecircus · 12/06/2025 15:41

The strange thing to me is that anyone would have an issue with this!

Toddlerteaplease · 12/06/2025 15:40

I go on my own all the time!

RedRoss86 · 12/06/2025 15:40

A coffee ON MY OWN without my 3 darlings.... sounds like heaven.

Gowlett · 12/06/2025 15:40

I done so many things alone, since I was a small girl.
Maybe it’s an innate thing? A sense of independence?

FedupofArsenalgame · 12/06/2025 15:39

Well I don't like coffee but would happily sit and drink my way through a pot of tea alone

Can't imagine why it would be weird

Mulledjuice · 12/06/2025 15:38

Everyone so often on MM someone will ask if it's weird to go to cinema/theatre/restaurant by themselves and I find it so bizarre! But also enlightening as to how scared people who have always been in joined-at-the-hip relationships can be of single people.

My10centsworth · 12/06/2025 15:37

Ha ha, it’s actually my favourite way to enjoy a coffee!

Aligirlbear · 12/06/2025 15:36

I do this all the time. A great way to just take a bit of time for me. Think about things , read my book in peace, watch the world go by and some down time from everything else. Thoroughly recommended !

Ted27 · 12/06/2025 15:35

Sat on my own in Starbucks now.
I've been to the Good Food Show/ Gardner's World on my own. Met several interesting people, had a few chats about random things, enjoying my solo chai now.
I go to a coffee shop most days, I have a few favourite independents as well

Timeforyetanothernamechange · 12/06/2025 15:35

One of my favourite things to do and even better when my coffee is free because I've collected enough stamps for a freebie from my prior visits.

Pinty · 12/06/2025 15:35

I go for coffee alone. It's not at all at strange. I love it

Imisscoffee2021 · 12/06/2025 15:33

Totally normal and very pleasant pastime.

Katieweasel · 12/06/2025 15:32

In the last week I’ve been to see Streetcar named Desire at my local cinema, Austentatious at the theatre, pre theatre dinner and drink and a cream tea at my local garden centre all on my own. Has never occurred to me than anyone would think this was strange.

ChateauMargaux · 12/06/2025 15:32

No.. not in the slightest!

LonelyNight2 · 12/06/2025 15:30

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 12/06/2025 15:14

Nothing strange about having a solo coffee, although I'd always do it as part of something else - your post make it sounds like you left the house specificaly to go and have a coffee and then come back? To be honest I'd find that slightly odd and would rather just have a coffee at home, but you do you!

Yes, that is what I have done and I think the basis of DH’s view is what you’ve said

OP posts:
MattCauthon · 12/06/2025 15:29

Bjorkdidit · 12/06/2025 15:18

This. It's purposely leaving the house just to go for coffee that's strange.

It's not exactly a nice experience, queuing up for an age while they make coffee at snail's pace then ending up near someone talking incessantly and loudly.

I don't get it. I mean, I get that YOU don't LIKE it, but surely you can see it's not "strange" and loads of people do it? There are a million things that I don't do, and would never do, but that I can fully appreciate are not "strange".

Spinachpastapicker · 12/06/2025 15:28

I am writing this from my local coffee shop! I’m here at least twice a week on my own. I just love a bit of time away from the house, to think and plan. Some
of my best business ideas have come to me while chilling with a coffee. I think of it as a kind of self care, giving me the luxury of time alone.

Bjorkdidit · 12/06/2025 15:18

Sherararara · 12/06/2025 14:53

I would never purposefully “just” go out for a coffee on my own - I’d do it as part of a shopping trip or if I had a reason like I needed to clear my head or do some work in couldn’t do in the house. But wouldn’t go out with the sole intention of sitting and watching the world go by - even though I do enjoy that as part of the above mentioned activities.

This. It's purposely leaving the house just to go for coffee that's strange.

It's not exactly a nice experience, queuing up for an age while they make coffee at snail's pace then ending up near someone talking incessantly and loudly.

MattCauthon · 12/06/2025 15:15

Not only is it not strange, I think one of the great things about coffee shops is that there is no stigma or weirdness about being alone in one. I am very happy to eat alone in a restuarant, and sometimes I do, but I won't lie, I DO feel self conscious sometimes. In a way that no one ever does in a coffee shop. I love that.

Myrobalanna · 12/06/2025 15:15

It's not strange. Neither is going to the cinema alone. Or to a gig, the theatre, on a course, on holiday, to an art gallery, etc etc.

There's a time for people and there's a time for no people. FACT.

pimplebum · 12/06/2025 15:15

All the time ! It’s lush
and all around me a single folk enjoying a break too