Would you go to a restaurant alone?

[Insanityismymiddlename]

Just that really, I fancy a specific meal from my local rotisserie but don't want to look stupid going by myself, DH can't come as he would have the DCs, DP is working and I don't really have many friends less that would be avalible short notice.

Yup. I'd go, take a book, enjoy my food and wallow in blissful solitude. Time alone is good and sadly unappreciated in this day and age.

Go girl. Seriously you are shy at eating alone?

Not that shy generally though are you.

no-one would bat an eyelid in London
Do you mean the restaurant, or the relationship?

Business travellers do it all the time.

Ha ha I meant the restaurant situation - bit focused here on the original subject of thread!!

Depends on the time of day and the type of restaurant. But generally - of COURSE it's okay to go to a restaurant on your own!

,,, and reverse this thread. man has wife and live in mistress, would you all be so gung ho ? Don't get me wrong, I say if it works for you, it works for you. Just fed up with the holier than thou mnetters who advise breaking up families at the first foot a man puts wrong...a

I used to eat alone quite often on business trips - sometimes I'd take a book or some papers to work on, sometimes not. On one occasion a couple of older ladies on the next table struck up a conversation, exclaimed a little over my 'bravery' and invited me to join them for the rest of the meal which was sweet (though unecessary, I was perfectly comfortable).

Hm, now I work from home I never get to do this.... shame really, it's quite nice once in a while.

Eating alone is something more people should do, especially women. Firstly because it's nice, secondly because it helps encourage the idea that there is nothing wrong with a woman being out alone and enjoying herself.

Same goes for having more than one partner, now I think about it.

Yes - if I wasn't okay with it, I would have been pretty miserable travelling on business.

I suppose it depends where you live though. In London no-one would look at you twice. I did it in smaller towns too, but by that point I would have been completely unbothered by people looking at me / overly attentive wait staff.

I had a couple of colleagues who would go get an M&S lunch for one (or similar) if they couldn't get a colleague to dine with. Used to piss me off a bit as I felt obliged to dine with them in random chain restaurants (& drink the house swill wine) when I would have far rather gone to my favourite seafood restaurant with my Kindle and bought one decent glass of wine

The one and only time I went to a pub with a large restaurant. I was very self conscious as it was a family orientated restaurant but I ordered and ate, and enjoyed the meal, all good until I left.........somehow my shoe caught on the hem of my trousers, causing me to skid making me fall arse over tit and land at feet of the couple at table next to me..........I then had to walk through the restaurant to exit, all the time cringing inside as I could hear people sniggering.........this memory is still cringeworthy 4 years later so OP no I won't ever eat out alone again!

This thread now has me singing 'me party' from the muppets.

yes I have done many times have travelled alone so had no choice

take a book or your kindle

Lots of times, doesn't bother me at all. I travel frequently for work and much prefer it to room service.

I'm so tickled that OP is a swinger and polyamorous yet worried about a tiny thing like eating in a restaurant alone

It's my favourite thing in the world. No props needed! I prefer it in fact :-)

One of my favourite things too! I take a book not as a prop but because it's bliss to have uninterrupted time to read and eat and drink without anyone talking at me.

Aw lovely story OP (I think.........?)

I can't concentrate on reading when there is food and wine. So you're a better woman than me.
Sorry - I used the word prop as it was in an episode of sex and the city when she wanted to do the same thing. Can't remember which season.

I'm surprised by the attention

It's like no one has heard of polyamory before!

Glad you enjoyed your dinner and free pudding!

I quite often have have lunch alone but rarely have the chance for dinner. I would though if the occasion occurred.

herbie!

Oh my I'm so sorry you must have been beside yourself with embarrassment!

I was right they probably did eat together

Op do it again it won't feel so weird

What did you choose for dessert?

Bit late to say yes go out.

But nothing wrong with eating out on your own, done it many times.

When i was about 16 there was an article in Cosmo or something similar claiming that being able to dine alone in a restaurant was a mark of being a confident grown up woman.
Im not sure i have ever done it (well, not in a proper restaurant iyswim) but i can see the appeal. I expect our local Italian would be initially flustered by not having to get the usual highchair and tiny cutlery out when i arrived.
What did you eat?