Would you go and have lunch alone?

[FloraFoxtrots]

And if not, why not?

I'm going out today to have lunch on my own. Have a workman here and want to just concentrate on a couple of emails and err Mumsnet a bit maybe

I mentioned it to a friend and she was horrified (slightly exaggerating there) that I'd sit there like a right old saddo on my own, eating. It's nowhere posh - think along the lines of a generic chain restaurant

So - would you take yourself off and have lunch on your own?

Yes, absolutely, I often do. If anybody thinks that makes me a saddo, it's their problem, not mine.

I have done this recently, it was bloody fabulous and I'd definitely do it again. I took my kindle, had a three course lunch and a couple of glasses of wine.

Yeah. It's very 'saddo' to think you'll be judged for not having a chaperone!
Enjoy your lunch

Yes

Love eating lunch on my own

What does your friend think single people do?

She's the sad one.

love it!

Yes, I would, and have done so many times. It’s bliss - you can sit there reading a book or scrolling on your phone while someone brings you food you haven’t had to make yourself!

It’s blissful…go and have the best lunch ever!

Forget sex with Chris Hemsworth dressed as Thor. Lunch alone is the kind of things my fantasies are made up of.

Oh listen, no one crying, whining, singing or shouting out random words. Oh look, no one touching my food or me.

Its a rare treat for me to have lunch on my own! I do take a book or something, but invariably end up people-watching or staring into space with the utter loveliness of not having to talk to anyone, or mop up spills/occupy children/cut up anyone elses food 😁

Also this would horrify your friend but when I was single and went away to training etc with work I loved having a proper nice restaurant meal to myself.
And I once one a night in a hotel but DH had to look after DS so I went alone, had a beautiful 3 course dinner alone, went to the bar alone for a drink. It was awesome

I often do. It’s fine.

Absolutely! I did that exact thing on Saturday - took myself off to the cinema and then went for lunch after! I find it weird when people are uncomfortable in their own company.

Yes I've always loved it, my DH wouldn't though I don't think. I think he'd feel self-conscious.

In my 20s I even went for regular evening meals on my own (oh the horror!) This was more due to having to wait for late client calls and not wanting to hang around the office though.

I wonder where your friend's boundaries are. Would it be OK to have a coffee and a sandwich by yourself in Costa? What about a McDonalds or Burger King? Wagamamas? When does a restaurant get posh enough that you can't go alone?

I would pre covid, but not during a pandemic. Never know when I'll be contacted by test and trace and have to isolate, its just not worth it for me.

I do this all the time! Why the fuck shouldn’t I?

Presumable your friend is capable of feeding herself without help. Ask why she thinks it would be unacceptable for her to do that in a public place.

Yes, definitely. I did the other day actually. I even go on holiday alone and go out and have lunch and dinner alone those weeks. I have meals with dh and dc all the rest of the time. It's lovely to sit and eat in peace.

@WaltzingTilda

I would pre covid, but not during a pandemic. Never know when I'll be contacted by test and trace and have to isolate, its just not worth it for me.

Surely the same goes for eating out with others though in that case?

I used to do this and loved it! Had a friend at the time who was horrified at the thought of sitting somewhere and eating alone.

I adore eating out alone. Back before covid and before they got rid of it, I’d book a Monday afternoon off and go and sit at the belt at Yo Sushi for their blue Mondays deal. Loads of affordable sushi, couple of glasses of wine, read a book. Bliss.

Yes I would and I would love every minute of it.

Oh I can sort of see where she's coming from. And I laughed when she called me a total saddo. She would never eat alone - exception would be a business conference away possibly and she's fond of a McDonald's drive through in the car but that would be it

I'll eat anywhere though within reason. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a nice evening type restaurant though - I'd feel all self conscious and I honestly believe that most people would too

But I'd happily go to the cinema alone and eat lunch alone.

I do loads, and I also go to the cinema alone. Actually I'd happily do anything alone! Although a waitress at a Thai restaurant once laughed at me being alone for a lunch there, but not in a mean way. I feel like she was more surprised than anything for some weird reason!