if you travel for work, do you eat out alone?

[Readysetcake]

I’ve started a new job where I travel to the northern office every now and then. It’s in a small town so the places to eat are usually dead and I really hate going in to them and sitting alone. I feel really exposed which does nothing for my anxiety. I much prefer to unnoticeable in a sea of people.

Am I the only one that doesn’t like to eat out alone? If you hate it too, what do you do?

I love to eat out alone. I actually go out of my way to avoid dinner with other people just so I can have a meal in peace (don’t get many of them at home!). I go on holiday by myself too (dh and dc at home, we also go away together) and meals alone are one of my favourite treats!

I either book room service or if that isn't an option I stop at a Waitrose or M&S motorway service station and buy a nice, salad, snacks and small bottle of wine etc and relax whilst eating in bed watching TV, bliss!

I’ve never done this on the occasions I’ve had the opportunity. I get some nice things from Waitrose or M&S to have in the room.
DH is away Monday - Thursday each week. He only eats out if with colleagues; otherwise he gets room service or does the Waitrose thing.

Haha, snap FAQs 😃

Yes I do, is fine, but prefer to stop to buy something like a sandwich, salad meal or sushi, go to the gym (pay as you go) after work then eat in my room at the hotel.

You get used to it. It isn't unusual. Grab your phone, an iPad, a book and get on with your evening.

Thanks for all the replies. It was fine in the end (though the food wasn’t that great), but I have to admit I didn’t really enjoy it.
No restaurant at hotel (only a small rural one). I think Im with the people that enjoy room picnics more, which is what I did on the last trip. Probably
Stick to that next time. Just had DH nagging me for being boring and unadventurous this time.
When in a big city I definitely don’t mind as much.

Yes. Some of the nicest meals I've ever had.

I spent a lot of time in NCL earlier this year for a project. I would go every month for 3/4 day’s at a time. I had never been before and it was about 185 miles from home. First time dining out I felt a little awkward but I took my iPad with me. But I got used to it and people there were super friendly. I was always treated with kindness and respect by the servers, maybe got better treatment because I was alone!

I made the most of expense account so was not going to let dining alone ruin it. I used to do a few trips to our Paris office. We had a fairly decent daily allowance for food, but the rules state the breakfast is not included if you order that at the hotel, for lunch there was a cafeteria that the food would be free from, so it was all the budget saved for dinner.

I could get away with a glass of wine or two so the rest would be smashed on the full three courses, get a massive steak if you want. I once had a €17 chocolate eclair, even the waiter had to confirm that i was aware it was €17. Yes sir, all on the account.

Yes. I do a mix of ordering room service and restaurants. I don't mind eating alone, but I'm more of an introvert and if I've been around people all day I like eating in silence to relax!

Where do you stay when you're away? Is the hotel nice?

I used to travel and found it so lonely, especially after having my DC. I mostly ordered room service and ate in my room. I would go to the restaurant for breakfast, didn't feel as lonely at breakfast time for some reason.

Then I used to treat myself a bit; I'd have a nice long bath and do some pampering; face mask, do my nails, put in a hair treatment....helped pass the time a bit

Yes. I travel round the world alone.

I am perfectly happy to eat alone

I used to.
Took a book.
Ate at the bar if possible.
Still had to turn down stray blokes despite being perfectly average looking.
Reckon now I am in my forties I would be invisible anywhere.

I love eating by myself and I don’t travel for work. In fact, I am sat in a restaurant right now. I people watch, prat around on my phone and always over order and eat the rest the next day.

@ParanoidGynodroid ha great minds think alike, my favourite part of work trips!