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! Love a solo lunch or coffee, and actually far prefer going to the cinema on my own than with other people.

As a new graduate I worked with a lady in her 40s who was really horrified that I would eg go to Starbucks by myself. She said she would buy a can of juice and drink it in the street if she was thirsty when she was out shopping, because people would judge her if she went for a cup of tea on her own. I really hope she came round to it in the end.

I do loads of things on my own, and a nice solitary lunch is a particular favourite. I don't rush either and will treat myself to a full three courses if I fancy it.

Your friend is the saddo who'd rather a mcDonalds take-away in her car, stinking it out, rather than sit down at a clean table and eat like an adult with cutlery and crockery.

I've been doing that since I was 12 years old and have never given it a second thought.

I do all the time, or more usually breakfast. It's my chill out time after taking DS2 with ADHD to school. I really need that time. And yes, I do come on MN!

I love lunching alone! Been doing it since I was about 19 and I'm 52 now!

Yes I do it all the time. Dinner too. Noone even notices although the waiting staff tend to be nicer than normal I had dinner at a popular restaurant in central London last week and was sat at a table in the middle of lots of big groups of people. Noone even looked at me. It was a great meal.

I do, it's great!

I do it all the time, there is nothing sad about it at all. Nobody gives you a second glance.

All the time, before the baby arrived, but he doesn't really count as a chaperone when we go now 😂

Go! I would give my left arm for some time to chill out, with 2 young kids it's near impossible.

It’s like a woman that goes to the same spin class as me at the gym. She will only go if her friend comes along. If her friend is ill or on holiday, she won’t just go on her own. The friend went on a holiday for 3 weeks, so she just wouldn’t go to the gym for the entirety of her friend’s holiday. I can’t imagine having to fit my life around other people’s schedules. Life’s short, if you want to do something, just bloody do it! I absolutely love people watching so solo lunching is perfect for it

These threads absolutely baffle me. I can't begin to imagine the thought process that leads to 'you're unreasonable to want to go out and eat alone'.

@roarfeckingroarr

All the time, before the baby arrived, but he doesn't really count as a chaperone when we go now 😂

Lunches out while pregnant were my absolute favourite. Just me and my baby. I used to imagine in my mind we were out having lunch together like a little lunch date and talk to him if it was empty and nobody was looking or listening. Cringe away, it was lovely. Good excuse to get two meals too, for the two of us!

Oh yes, definitely.
I also like to go and see a film alone every so often.

Of course I would, I do it quite often. Usually a cup of tea and a snack. Take my kindle and just enjoy myself. No washing up needed, either.

I must be a world class saddo, I've done it on at least 4 continents.

Having lunch on my own sounds amazing just now - having a baby and a preschooler around seriously limits alone time

Joking aside I used tondo it mainly while travelling for business but always enjoyed it. Good for people watching and eating exactly where I wanted without having to compromise. Enoy!

Why on earth not? I’ve done it now and then. I always take a book or my kindle. Couldn’t give a stuff what anyone thinks.,

I did it once for dinner when I went to London for a conference. It was absolute bliss - just food and a glass of wine and my book. I felt self conscious to start with but soon relaxed.

I love going to lunch alone. I made an effort to do it as much as I could when I was pregnant to get used to being places without other adults for company. Surprised myself how much I enjoyed it

@RaginaFalangi

Go! I would give my left arm for some time to chill out, with 2 young kids it's near impossible.

Me too.

I think it sounds like heaven.

I've only really done it if in a new place for work or something and hence on my own but going as you have workmen in is a good enough reason (not that you need a reason).

It's whatever you feel comfortable with. I wouldn't usually go out to eat or watch a film alone but I love shipping or going to gym classes alone while I know not everyone is that way.

Of course. I get hungry.

Weirdly enough, I don't like eating alone in the smallish town in which I live - as I worry I'll be seen by someone I know who'll think "why hasn't MaudesMum got any friends?" But 100% fine to do it in a big city or abroad, and love it.