To take myself out for dinner?

[PollyCazaletWannabe]

I have recently started singing in a choir which rehearses far enough away from home that I can't get home from work and out again to choir without having such a short space of time at home that it would be pointless. (I have a long commute to work as well). I therefore have the choice of staying late at work before going to choir, or going into town and killing time before choir.

Last night the journey was quick and I ended up in town with a good hour and a half to kill before choir. I was hungry. Therefore, I took myself out for dinner to a dim sum restaurant and had a cocktail . It was lovely and I went to choir full and happy.

Today I told people at work what I'd done. One or two said 'oh how lovely!' But the majority were horrified- 'REALLY?!' 'I could never do that!' One chap made a sympathetic face and said 'Could you not find anyone to go with you?'

This attitude confuses me and pisses me off. As an adult, why is it abnormal for me to go and eat dinner on my own if I'm hungry? Why should I need or want anyone else?

Just wondering if IABU and I am the weird one? Or do others do this and it's my colleagues who are BU?

I love eating out on my own. Love it.

There's a fancy hotel restaurant in London that has a couple of oval corner tables that seem to be designed for one. That one has lodged in my mind.

I eat in restaurants on my own, I go to films and concerts on my own and I've been on city break holidays on my own. So far as films and concertd it's nice going with other people but only if it's something they want to see as well. There's nothing worse than dragging a friend /partner along to something they don't really want to go to and fretting if they're enjoying it.

Restaurants don't bat an eyelid. I've eaten in very upmarket restaurants in Paris and Amsterdam on my own and in London amongst others,Fortnum and Mason, the Wolseley and the Ritz.

I must do this at least once a month every since I was old enough to and it is aways a restaurant meal, l love it, even more since I had children/carer for my dad.

I do different things, read, people watch, use the internet, think about important things at that time or just plain stare into space.

I used to go to the pictures on my own but absolutely nothing in the last 15 years has engaged my interest enough to bother, however I do make my excuses a children's films leave my dh to sleep his way through it whilst I do something I fancy doing

I occasionally go away on my own, because I like to have me time and space. You get very odd looks sometimes staying in a hotel on your own.

I'm amazed there are so many women eating out alone, because when I do it, there's never anyone else!

I don't massively love eating out alone, but I'd rather do it than eat alone in a hotel room. I don't feel self-conscious in cafes or places which are busy, but formal fine dining on my own does make me feel awkward or just not very relaxed.

I don't care so much about the food, I love the whole experience of chatting and having fun when out for dinner and so perhaps for me, dining alone isn't all that, plus I do feel a bit conspicuous (even though as my mum always told me, no-one is looking at you).

YANBU, I love going out alone!

In Vietnam, people ask me the same thing. "How can I do something like that?!" I love being alone with a good book though.

Pasithea, I'm based in Vietnam but I travel alone in Philippines, India, etc. I'm visually impaired and get lots of looks, questions, etc.

The man at immigration in Philippines said he was amazed.

So restaurants on my own, easy!

I eat out alone very often, just me and my iPad, no problem.

Don't have to be sociable and talk or share the pud

I found it really hard to do this when I was a student, felt too self-conscious. But then I went travelling for a year and did so much by myself - ate, went to cinema, museums etc. it did wonders for my self-confidence.

Nowadays I love eating out alone, it's a ritual of mine before going to see the local orchestra. I park up the car, walk into Chinatown for a bowl of noodles, then walk up to the concert hall. It's always a really enjoyable evening.

YANBU. Dining out alone can be great. It serves many purposes too, like passing time before a train or appointment or whatever.

i once went on holiday for two weeks by myself and it was idyllic. you're definitely not being unreasonable (?!?!!?!??!?!) - unreasonable to whom?!?!??!?!!??!?!?!?

chomp on!!!

YANBU. I had a lovely meal in GBK the other week, a glass of wine and sat people watching
I was hungry and shopping alone

Yadnbu I love eating out alone with a book or iPad can't stand people watching I am at my best when alone, I think!