Am I the only sad twat who eats out alone?

[ReallyFuckingHopeThisWorksOut]

I've been doing it for years and I actually enjoy it. In fact I sometimes even choose to go alone rather than with someone because I just can't be bothered with company. Whilst in a relationship it's never bothered me, but at the minute I'm feeling a bit fragile because I'm single and very lonely in general... so I feel like everyone else looks at me and knows how I'm feeling!

I booked a table earlier and in fairness there was a language barrier so I had to tell him I wanted a table for just me, but he didn't seem to understand for ages! Most people don't bat an eyelid but very, very occasionally waiters have looked a bit "oh!" when I've walked in alone and asked for a menu "just for me".

I wouldn't dress up to the nines and go somewhere really fancy surrounded by couples or anything, it's usually standard pubs or cafes or somewhere I can sit in a corner after a long hike or shopping trip and just eat a hot meal and read a magazine or something in peace for half an hour.

I tell myself it's good that I'm independent and can do things without other people but I do sometimes think to myself, man just admit it... what a sad wanker I am.

So many people on here recommend it... in reality I don't know anyone else who does!

I've done it when working away but in all honesty if I was single I absolutely still would!!

Why should you miss out on a lovely meal out just because you don't have a partner?

I'd happily do most things on my own like eating out, trips to the cinema etc!

Nothing sad about it.

most people would think you are a loner and it’s clear from what has been posted that waiters find it odd as well and aren’t use to it.

Good god catering/hospitality staff definitely don't find it odd if someone eats alone. Whatever happened to OP it wasn't indicative of all waiting staff thinking it's odd for someone to eat alone.

Actually, I've often sat in a coffee shop and had cake and coffee on my own, if I'm out cycling I've stopped in a cafe on my end for lunch too!

It would never enter my head if I saw someone sitting alone that they had been stood up as a poster up thread suggested

If waiters find it odd I have never been aware of it and how does it make me a loner or stood up ? I am simply dining on my own which I really enjoy.

Yes I often eat alone as I do long solo coastal walks and sometimes go to cafe or pub afterwards. I don't have a problem with it. I do wonder if people who struggle have low self esteem as those I know who do it are generally confident people. I have a husband and friends and sometimes eat with them too. Depends on where I am and what I am doing. Perhaps it is just something to get used to. I sometimes take a book to read if I get bored people watching.

I do, more likely at the shops but I've also been to the local pub

I eat out alone
I go to the cinema alone
I go on trips abroad alone
I've travelled the whole world alone

I've also done all the above with family, friends and partners/husbands. I'm glad for all of it, and enjoy the different experiences. If anyone has a problem with it...well it's exactly that, their problem, not mine.

Eating out alone in no way makes you a sad twat, OP! It's pretty awful that anyone, female or male, would feel uncomfortable about this, or be made to feel odd by restaurant staff.

Yep. I’m far from alone in life but I don’t think I have to be with someone else to do something. We’re a long time dead.

i do it when its during the day and i need lunch.

Or when on a business trip/holiday away.

but unliklely in my local area of an evening - it would be simpler to just order a takeaway/deliveroo and eat at home whilst watching tv.

Also there is the point that each of us will be alone at some point in life. We all have partners who die, seperate, each of us will probably find themselves in a new town/country at some point.

If you don't have the skills to take yourself out - you are at a disadvantage.

I used to eat out alone all the time years ago when I was travelling for work and I miss it. My favourite day dream is a night to myself involving a trip to the cinema then dinner with a book followed by a night in a lovely hotel with a bath and margaritas via room service. Hopefully I can make it a reality some day, you go OP. Do it for all of us 🍷😅👏

I eat in cafes alone but I’d be less likely to eat alone in a restaurant. There are exceptions e.g. a restaurant in a train station or a hotel restaurant if I’m away on a course.

I think it’s lovely so many folks on here love it and do It regularly but it’s very clear it’s not common. I travel a lot for work, and also have friends in different parts of the country, and you don’t see loads of women sitting eating alone. You simply don’t. Cinema, yes, but not pubs and restaurants. It happens but is a tiny minority, so clearly people on here are not representative.

I do it too. Its my secret pleasure!

God, I used to LOVE eating out alone when travelling for work. I prefer a seat at the bar or a window seat, then I have a nice leisurely meal and a people watch. It never occurred to me it was weird or that people would assume I was a loner.

DH isn't a fan of most sea food, so it was also always my opportunity to go and stuff my face with sushi/sashimi/oysters/ceviche/whatever.

I have to admit as per @BiscoffSundae i don’t know anyone who does and I don’t really see people alone in restaurants.

Im not saying there is anything wrong with it if you choose to, it’s just an observation, but I do concur with her that there’s loads of stuff on here everyone does but I just don’t see it in RL.

But how do you know @Fushiadreams? Do you scan every other client in a restaurant every time you go, to assess who they're with? I might do that IF I'm on my own and people watching, but if I'm with other people my attention is on the people I'm with, unless someone else is particularly loud / obnoxious attention grabbing, which lone diners don't tend to be.

Ryan Gosling could be 2 tables away (on his own) and I doubt I'd notice 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've eaten out alone many times, especially when on holiday alone. I like it, easier to concentrate on the food. I also like people watching. It's not sad at all!

Why do you not believe others do this?

I've eaten out alone quite a lot recently because of travelling to care for elderly parents. I've done it when they've moved house too. I stay alone in a hotel and eat out in the restaurant. As long as I've got a book to read I'm perfectly happy. Lots of other people around me are doing it to and I assume they are staying for work purposes.

It's really not that weird.

I haven't recently but have in the past and happily would again.

I don’t know anyone that does and like someone else said I very rarely see anyone eating out alone it’s certainly not common as it seems on here

I’m married with DC and I do it whenever I can. I love it! A good book and people-watching in peace. No one notices or cares.

I do it all the time. Love it.