I dined alone and I liked it

[DameDoom]

Okay, I was mning on my phone a bit whilst there, but after a previously shit couple of hours on Friday with MIL on the palliative ward, I thought fuck it, so I went to Carluccio's on me tod. It was heaving but I had no problem getting a table for one. Had 2 negronis and a salad
I used to do this occasionally when I lived abroad but have never had the bollocks to do it here. I felt so grown up am 46

Has anyone ever been on holiday on their own? I’m thinking of doing it this Christmas (have family and friends but nobody dependent on me).

My tip - when you do this with confidence they'll often assume you're a food critic.

I remember eating on my own in a restaurant one day . The manager was sitting at a table nearby doing some paperwork and she said to me I'm jealous as you just look to be having some nice time for you . That sums it up for me it's nice just to take time for you and relax and enjoy nice food.

I work away so I have no choice! I used to get a bit embarrassed saying 'table for one' but now I own it and think fuck it. As long as I have my iPad then I'm good!

Has anyone ever been on holiday on their own?

Yes. To me it's no different than doing anything else on my own: I choose the activities, budget, location etc.

@MissionItsPossible,

Yes I have and thoroughly enjoyed my own company. Got chatting to a few people, but moved on. The freedom is great. Not a sun and sand break just to mention. I've been away numerous times alone in various places and absolutely loved it!

Where are you thinking of going? Christmas in fairness is a gathering time, but easy to alone aswell I would think if you choose wisely! Best of luck.

Yes I do this when I am travelling, whether for work or pleasure. It's great - I enjoy my own company

Have also been on holiday on my own and quite a few friends have too. It's lovely as you don't have to compromise, can just please yourself.

Rather than feeling sorry for people who dine/holiday/watch films alone, I feel sorry for people who either lack the confidence to do it or don't like their own company enough to do it.

If you lack confidence but would like to - maybe start by having a coffee alone, and build up? Take a book?

smashyourglasses brilliant idea - don't think my musings with a half-chewed Bic on the back of a receipt would cut it . Shall purchase a Mont Blanc and papyrus notebook for critiquing and memoirs.

I do it too. Negroni in hand, a good book and delish food. Sounds like a perfect evening.

TerfsUp I have fantastised about doing that. Who knows what the future may hold now that I am feeling so much more confident?
Apart from all the death and that shizz, being a proper adult is great. Wish I'd known earlier.

Go for it, DameDoom! I agree - being an adult is great except for the bit that isn't. But consider the alternative....

I eat out alone a lot and I feel sorry for anyone who thinks it’s pitiable. I can’t imagine how limiting it must be, not having the confidence to do things for yourself.

DameDoom you don't need to go buying notebooks etc 🤣 just don't look overly impressed but stay nice and polite.

I was well into adulthood before I realised some people (particularly women) would never dare eat a meal out on their own and find it either brave or pitiable. I’ve travelled alone a lot, work away from home regularly, and have had long periods of singledom (by choice) so it’s always just seemed normal to me.

I also go out for a drink alone regularly - me, my book or a copy of National Geographic, a large glass of something red or a cold beer and a cosy table in a nice bar or pub. Loads of people are seriously surprised that a woman who isn’t looking to be picked up by men would go out for a drink on her own. I just like the atmosphere and feeling connected to the world which you don’t get sitting at home.

I was once dining alone and without thinking happened to get out a little notebook and started writing in it (was actually jotting down some ideas for a project I was working on) - but (as the pp above said) - the staff suddenly thought I was a food/restaurant critic. They were falling over themselves and I got drinks on the house. I've done the same since at another place and the same thing happened.

I prefer to dine with friends, but I'm confident enough to dine on my own and have done it many times. I'll be doing it at a gig next weekend - I refuse to miss out on things in life just because no one else wants to go to the same thing or is available to. I've missed out in the past waiting on other people to be free to go with me to things - I can't be bothered anymore. I just go and do what I want - what anyone else thinks is none of my business.

I LOVE eating alone in a restaurant. I also love going to the cinema/theatre by myself.

I've never gone on holiday solo, but used to travel a lot for work by myself so spent a lot of time in hotels.

I just love my own company (and am a classic introvert, though you'd never know it to talk to me).

Has anyone ever been on holiday on their own?
Several times a year.

The few times I have eaten out alone - normally when travelling - I have either been ignored by staff, come onto by staff, or stared at by staff and/or fellow diners. Enough to put me off.

So I tend to stick to places like Costa :(

I was once dining alone and without thinking happened to get out a little notebook and started writing in it (was actually jotting down some ideas for a project I was working on) - but (as the pp above said) - the staff suddenly thought I was a food/restaurant critic. They were falling over themselves and I got drinks on the house

SO going to have to do this

@TerfsUp

No it isn’t the norm and I find it hard to believe you didn’t know that

I just like the atmosphere and feeling connected to the world which you don’t get sitting at home.

Exactly that.

I love being with DH and my friends but it felt so real. I spend most of my life in a semi-daze and it really focused me.

Bold fail - sorry about that.

is this not the norm

No

I love it. The only draw back is that I don’t get to try as many dishes. When out with DH we order different things for variety.

I've been on holiday on my own; it was actually rather nice. I got some odd looks at first but just ignored it. On speaking to a few people I explained I just wanted a quiet holiday to myself... no stress... just "me" time. They seemed to respect me for it. I did laugh to myself when I was sitting on my own with my book relaxing and enjoying a pleasant lunch/drink and listened to a couple have an hour long argument over what they were going to do for the rest of the day! Kind of highlighted the beauty of my solo holiday!

I'm happy to dine on my own and I actually prefer to go to the cinema on my own - I don't like company at the cinema at all - been going on my own for many years.