To celebrate dining alone

[sausageisassausagedoes]

There's such a stigma about dining alone, which I do regularly, and don't care, but have never seen it from the other side.
But tonight, in a restaurant in Madrid, I watched a woman come in by herself, have drinks, dinner, and not a care in the world, and she was utterly fabulous. And no-one in that bar could have criticised.
To dining alone!

Fab!

What was so fabulous about eating alone?

Why should anyone care either way?

I do it all the time - never did it until I started working away a lot and became accustomed to it. Sometimes it’s because I want to sit somewhere with a bit buzz to do work, other times I just want to eat out and not have to have a conversation.

I travel for a meeting once a month and always go to a restaurant I love after. They’re so used to me now I get the same table if it’s available and the simple question ‘are you staying over or driving home?’ So they know whether to give me my usual soft or alcoholic drink with my usual order. It’s so lovely and I never feel awkward.

I’ve never actually done it tbh

I love dining alone. And reading a book or a mag. I didn't realise I was fabulous!

There's such a stigma about dining alone,

Is there?

I spent 15 years working in hospitality and have seen hundreds of lone diners. Never thought anything of it tbh.

This is pretty standard no?! I do it often. The one thing I regret is smartphones. "Back in the day" I would order my meal and kind of just sit back and take it all in.
These days if I eat alone I try and make a conscious effort not to look at my phone too much, but I still do it and it bothers me. My problem, I know.

Tonight is the second night I have dined alone I think ever. I have come away for a weekend by myself and although it was slightly terrifying last night I have really enjoyed it. And have used mumsnet to keep me company between courses 😁

Good on her! I got sent to stay in a lovely hotel that my boss always stayed at in Paris, and I womaned up, and went downstairs on my own, and ate and drank my way through the menu - much to the confusion, then amusement, and then it seemed respect, of the wait staff and somelier!

Honestly, I'm not doing that fake sort of surprise thing.

I genuinely have never heard of dining alone having any sort of stigma attached.

OP, your username has brought back to me The Mouse, The Bird and The Sausage!!! One of my favourite fairy tales on an album (I had the full set) that I used to listen to all the time as a child in the 70s!! Thank you!

@mbosnz

Good on her! I got sent to stay in a lovely hotel that my boss always stayed at in Paris, and I womaned up, and went downstairs on my own, and ate and drank my way through the menu - much to the confusion, then amusement, and then it seemed respect, of the wait staff and somelier!

And in a hotel it would be 100% 'normal' surely?

I mean with the amount of lone travellers they get.

I think it was more the way I et and drank my way through all the courses, rather than a dine and dash - but it might have been more my perception, than the reality, because it was a very big deal for me, at such a posh restaurant!

There was an episode of Sex and the City where Samantha (I think) was too embarrassed to dine alone without a book or some work to focus on, so it's not a new stigma.

I've never had an issue eating alone in a fast food or chain place but I "properly" dined alone for the first time when I was in London for work in 2019. I went to Hawksmoor at Seven Dials and got myself a massive Sunday lunch and a cocktail - nobody batted an eye and I was too busy enjoying the food to care

Yes agree with worral, what stigma? I used to travel for work in the 80s and 90s and never felt any stigma at all. I'm quite old now and think we are going backwards sometimes. Op assuming you are quite young, what made you think there was a stigma attached to it. Or do you consider it to be different if dining socially or away for work?

I don’t mind eating alone, but I’m trying to get over my awkwardness to be able to go to the cinema alone! I have a day alone in the week (kids at school, DH working) and would love to go and see a film sometime, but I always feel a bit too awkward.

I love dinning alone! I could not care less what anyone thinks (I doubt they give it a random thought). I am quite happy people watching. Then again I am a person who is happy going to the cinema, theatre, concert, restaurants, cruises on my own. I have lots of friends and family but I am not going to miss out if they cannot make it or want to come.

Theres been times I've wanted to go out and eat and didn't have time to arrange to do that with someone. Sadly I've not felt brave enough to dine out alone. I've felt embarrassed incase people feel sorry for me. I shouldn't care what others think. When I see others dining alone I think "good for them". I think i need to be brave and dine out alone soon

Thanks for sharing. I can feel quite self conscious dining alone, so it’s good to hear about confident women doing their thing.

I do suspect the stigma is somewhat in my own mind though & others don’t really notice or care.

I love dining alone plus going to the Theatre / Cinema. I’m my case, it’s because I always tend to overthink if the other people / person are enjoying themselves.

I also like the freedom to order whatever I want without having to worry about other people’s perception.

@Kanaloa

I don’t mind eating alone, but I’m trying to get over my awkwardness to be able to go to the cinema alone! I have a day alone in the week (kids at school, DH working) and would love to go and see a film sometime, but I always feel a bit too awkward.

Do it! I still fondly remember a rare child free afternoon when I went to the cinema, got a massive cup of tea and a bag of minstrels and enjoyed “A Star is Born” in total peace. Was amazing!

@Kanaloa

I don’t mind eating alone, but I’m trying to get over my awkwardness to be able to go to the cinema alone! I have a day alone in the week (kids at school, DH working) and would love to go and see a film sometime, but I always feel a bit too awkward.

Do it, it's fab you don't have to share your popcorn. When me my exH used to go the cinema we had the cineworld cards so we would agree on a film to watch together, go get something to eat and have a look around the shops and then we'd go watch another film of our choice on our own. Sometimes it would mean one of us would have to sit out in the foyer when our film had finished and wait for the other one for 15-20 mins. I can remember watching one film having the entire cinema to myself. Utter bliss!!

I must admit I'm more intrigued to find out what the woman did that was utterly fabulous.

My fertile imagination has her ordering in 3 different languages

I know, I should definitely do it! It’s daft as I’m not a self-conscious person but I just can’t bring myself to it. Maybe next week!

I love it and don't give a shit what anyone thinks. I don't think twice if I see anyone do it. I don't think there's a stigma at all.