To go for lunch alone?

[Napqueen1234]

I was chatting to a friend and mentioned I like to go for lunch alone as a ‘treat’ I suppose (as in once every 2-3 months) ie if I finish work early or take half a day for an appointment after that. Usually somewhere cheap and cheerful- local cafe or Nando’s. she looked at me as if I was insane to eat a meal out alone and insinuated people would think I was really weird. What do you think? Would you do it?

I do it all the time. I love it. If I am out shopping at it comes to lunch or dinnertime I will just go somewhere and eat alone. In peace. Bliss.

YANBU, I think people who can’t enjoy their own company are very sad.

I love going for lunch or coffee alone. I don’t think anyone really notices!

Yes, I do it. Good chance to have a read of my kobo and chill.

You can order whatever you like without anyone commenting, and concentrate on eating without having to chat.

I think people should try it, before dimissing it as sad.

I do it quite often, and enjoy it. Never anywhere grand, and usually only at lunchtime rather than the evening, but I have dined out alone for dinner and don't mind it.

She's an idiot.
I eat out alone at least once a week...A nice bar, cafe or restaurant. Nobody cares! Except odd people like your friend

Of course it’s fine and I do it. A colleague I work with eats out at various restaurants by herself every lunchtime.

I like eating out alone. Used to travel a lot for work and frequently was by myself - it was a choice between eating out alone or 'picnicking' in the hotel room/ eating fish and chips on a bench. Eating alone in a pub always felt like the most dignified/relaxing option for me.

Love a coffee to myself!

Wouldn't even think twice about it. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, I am quite happy to enjoy by myself. Shes the one with the issue.

I used to live in London and sometimes I wanted to go to a restaurant and had no one to go with. So I'd take my Kindle and order whatever I wanted. It was great. I now live with my fiance so I'm less likely to go alone (and there's no where to go where we live now) but I'd have no issues with going. It's going to the cinema alone I loved it. It's not like you're going to be talking to someone during the move anyway.

After spending all my lunchtimes with my kids stealing my food, now I’m back at work on weekdays it’s AMAZING having lunch by myself!

Also, I love to just nip for a coffee if I finish early and don’t need to pick up dd2 for a little while. Drinking a hot drink whilst it’s still hot is still a serious novelty for me!

One of my favourite things

Wouldn’t think twice about it.

Do it all the time. The people who can’t enjoy their own company are the weird ones imo.

I love to do it on my days off. Wander into town, have a mooch in the charity shops, lunch in one of the lovely cafes.

Gosh I love it.

I used to hate it and felt like everyone was looking at me thinking 'how sad', but then I traveled alone in my 20s and had to go to cafes etc alone... and I adored it!!

Now when I see someone alone in a cafe I think 'how lovely for you!'

The only person who's being weird is your friend for saying it's weird!
YANBU, it's perfectly normal and I do it all the time.
Sounds like your friend's issue to me. that she wouldn't and thinks it's weird/judges others for going out by themselves!

Personally I wouldn't do it, not to a restaurant, I would feel weird going on my own. But that's me, I wouldn't see it weird if someone else wanted to do it. I would go to a cafe or for a coffee or Maccy D'S on my own but not a restaurant. Don't know what the difference is really, but just wouldn't do it!

I've gone for numerous coffees alone but never lunch. This thread has inspired me to do so sometime!

Have always done this. I’m an only child - are you?

Of course
Why wouldn't you?
Take a book or newspaper and enjoy!
Waiter service even better.

I love going to really really nice restaurants on my own! Glass of champagne, 3 courses, coffee and read my book, bliss! My mother thinks I’m ridiculous going out and spending £50+ on lunch by myself but I love it.

It is absolutely my favourite thing. I don't think anyone even notices. What if she is hungry and out all day? Not eat just because she is worried about looking weird?