To think well actually I couldn't do this

[couldntlovethebearmore]

Was talking to DH about how I really fancy going shopping and then having a few cocktails at a nice bar however friends are particularly flakey at the moment and he asked why can't you go alone?
I could go on the train on my own into a busy city centre. I could go round the shops on my own and even stop for a coffee/bite to eat on my own. But no way could I go to a bar on my own. And this is where I feel society is most unequal. A woman on her own in a pub is often seen by men as an easy target. And they will attempt to talk to you as being on your own in a bar means you must be looking for company.
Sorry for the rant but does anyone agree here?

When I go to the pub alone, or a bar, or restaurant, I take a book. I would have a book with me anyway, so it's not something I have to think about. It does help repel advances. I think I'm too old and ugly to be advanced upon nowadays though

Gosh OP. My DH sometimes goes to the pub on his own and he said he gets chatted up by WOMEN and gets loads of unwanted attention from females.

Lovely cocktail and ice cream bar near me and my fave treat is to go in alone with a book (or better, an awful celeb mag) and order an espresso martini (or three). If I get there before 6 they are half price ;) I don't manage it very often though!

oh excellentworktheremary you have just reminded me...if you like cocktails and ice cream, you should try the Chocolate Orange cocktail.

(orange juice, and zest from one orange, Creme da cacao, dark, Cointreau, 4 scoops of chocolate ice cream, mik)...its heaven I promise x

Another one here who positively enjoys going into bars, cafes, restaurants on my own and relaxing with a drink and a book.

I wouldn't go into a bar by myself but maybe a cafe. We women often feel uncomfortable about it and for good reason. If you've got a 'bitchy resting face' or look like the back end of a bus you might be left alone but I wouldn't bet on it.

Cheers blithering. That's really flattering for those of us who have already stated we're left alone. If you don't go into bars alone how do you know how often people get hassled?

blithering i don't have "bitchy resting face" nor do I look like the back end of a bus (charming) and I've been to the pub on my own hundreds of times and not been approached or hassled except very occasionally.

Also all these women saying they wouldn't go because they'd be hassled - how do you know if you never go on your own!

Also Amelie I think people that are afraid to do things alone or think so much about what other people thing are 'sad saps'

I've done this loads. Just take a book...

Society has actually really moved on and lots of women go into bars alone these days. I'm not sure how you can say women are an easy target if you've never experienced it. Its your view that seems to be outmoded not society's

Never really bothers me. I just sit there with a pint and a book or magazine. It is nice to have someone there to have a laugh with though.

Blonde how is coffee which is also a drink not a 'social' thing and cocktail is though?

Really?

There was a poster called Surferjet on the last thread about this who was scandalised about women going into bars and pubs alone.

It was indivicitive of a lack of class, if I remember correctly.

What a load of bollocks. If I want to enjoy a glass of red alone, I bloody well will. I'm not sad, I am no gargoyle, (not that I should have to feckin well justify what I look like!!) I don't get 'hassled'.

I actually think it's a bit 'sad' if you can't enjoy your own company enough to do these things without a constant barrage of chatter from a drinking partner.

Drinking with a group of friends or on your own- why on earth can't you enjoy both?

I say do whatever you like but can't imagine why anyone would want to pay a tenner to sit and drink a cocktail alone in a bar when we now have Aldi wine and Netflix on the telly.

Surferjet's opinions are at best questionable on many topics sadly.

How sad that @freckoncrutches finds it sad - therein lies the problem
........

So what does a woman do on a business trip alone then?

Stay in a hotel room the whole time?

I've enjoyed many a glasd of wine, reading my kindle while the kids were at nearby activities... unfortunately they don't do any near any bars anymore, but that said I don't think I'd stop for a drinky while out shopping for some reason? Somehow when waiting it's different? 🤔

@blithering "we women"

are you speaking for all of us then?

This is what I love about France. A woman can have dinner or a drink out on her own and nobody thinks it's remotely unusual. It's commonplace, normal. I will eat or drink just about anywhere on my own, but blokey pubs are beyond me. I'm just not comfortable, having been pestered once too many times in the past. But for lunch, or to sit outside, fine.

Unless you are an alcoholic, going to a bar is a social thing. I have been to bars on my own overseas. I wanted to talk to people and did. I didn't feel chatted up when it was guys I spoke to. I think two girls actually attracts more unwanted attention from my experience.

Meg so everyone on this thread who describes going for a pint or glass of wine by themselves is an alcoholic?

Going for a drink or a pint on your own isn't really going out drinking in the same way. And as I said, I have gone out to bars on my own. But I can't imagine going out for more than one drink and wanting to sit alone and not talk to anyone. Would anyone want to sit and get drunk on their own? Seems a bit odd. One drink. Fine. Two. OK. Three. Getting tipsy. Four. Bit drunk. Five. Pretty drunk. More

And surely everyone has had one drink on their own in a bar or pub. Not the same as actively going out for the evening drinking on your own.