Do you dine out alone as a woman?

[HandbagsnGladrags]

I currently am. I'm away on business, on my own. Sat in a restaurant, getting lots of 'looks' from people. Am perfectly happy on my own, reading my book til my food comes. Completely not giving a shit until I get sick of people staring. Also, they tried to show me to the shittest table in the place when there were loads of others free. I mean, I'm not that hideous that I need to be hidden away.

AIBU to think that a woman should be able to dine alone without any shame in 2022?

Why do women feel the need to be doing something though, book, ipad, magazine etc.?

I have in the past in other countries without an issue. I do think though I’d be wary in the UK, I think this country has become more and more sexist in recent years. What on earth is a woman doing eating alone? Shock horror!!
Ignore, ignore, ignore, take your time. Enjoy your book and enjoy a meal in peace. Am a bit envious actually!

"Dine without shame"?! How very dramatic. I'm a woman and I eat food alone in restaurants. I have no idea if people stare, I'm not looking at them. I would suggest if you feel they are, it's because you are eyeballing them in the first place. When you are single, there are some occasions such as holidays where you eat alone or you don't eat. I go out to eat frequently because I enjoy it, being alone is never an issue.

If travelling abroad for work I'll eat out alone as want to sample the food. If in the UK, I'd eat lunch out. I love eating lunch out alone for some reason. In a nice restaurant it makes me feel like I'm in a novel. But for dinner I'll usually choose room service just because I love room service! Bed wine is yummy. I'll often eat in the bath just because I can! This has reminded me I must book a work trip.

yanbu. When travelling in the UK or US/Canada, I always eat alone in the restaurant, and am normally fine.

Anywhere else I get room service.

Yes I have since starting work over 30 years ago eaten by myself in a restaurant

Ive travelled/lived in a few countries ans. travelled alone and have often had a meal in a restaurant by myself

No. On the occasions when I tried some smartarse would say something like 'Enjoying that, love?'

Often, on business, travelling alone and sometimes somewhere at home just because I fancy it.

I've never, ever, noticed looks from anyone. I'm either too busy in my book or my thoughts, or looking at the view if I'm somewhere pretty, or watching people passing by if I'm somewhere busy.

Ask for a better table and then crack on with enjoying your meal OP.

Yeah, all the time cos I travel for work :)

Never noticed any looks from anyone, maybe I'm oblivious. I do tend to stay at the kind of hotel that's full of other business travellers eating alone, though.

Are people looking at you because you are looking at them? Anyway enjoy your meal. If you are not happy with the table offered then ask if one you prefer is booked or if you can swap.

I dine out all the time alone. Not "as a woman". Just because I need to eat and I prefer restaurants to cooking, and I live alone.

Otherwise it's boring sitting there waiting?

@JudgeJ It's not just Women who 'do' something, plenty of Men read or flick through the news or doom scroll when eating alone too?

This!
I sometimes eat alone because I need to eat and happen to be by myself.
I've done it in various towns, cities and countries in the UK, Europe and Asia.
It genuinely never even occurred to me to worry about being a woman whilst eating.
Is there something I'm missing? Are other people eating in really dodgy bars or strip clubs or something?

Because it would be odd just sitting staring into space until your food arrives?

Yes . Enjoy your time and your book. Ignore any stares. It will be about their thoughts , not you so enjoy yr meal .

Why do women feel the need to be doing something though, book, ipad, magazine etc.

Because I'd swiftly be bored otherwise!

I've travelled alone a lot since my early 20s which is a fair old while now. Eaten solo in lots of restaurants, I love it. Kindles have transformed the experience, no more trying to trap a paperback under the plate to hold it open...

Before smartphones were widespread i stayed in a Novotel once that had lots of single booths with TV screens in each for solo diners.

I'm currently traveling for work. I'm in a very rural part of North America and while I've seen lots and lots of people eating alone, they're all men, seemingly working as labourers. Even so, I've not had a single comments about being a woman eating alone. (Although I have gravitated towards family diners & chain restaurants rather than truckers' bars...). It's been quite nice, either people have left me alone, or I've had some nice chats with the waitresses.

Do you expect them to just sit and stare into space? If alone, they don't have someone to talk to so take something else to occupy themselves with. Men do the same btw.

Yes, no problems eating alone in a restaurant, have never been given a terrible table either. I love people watching so rarely take a book or some other prop with me.

All the time, I am often in London overnight for work. And I also often have lunch out if I’m shopping/out for the day. Never, ever noticed any staring.

Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Ignore the starers.

Yes, I love it. It's not hugely the done thing where I live though and I wish it was. I have friends who never would go out by themselves to eat but IMO it's a huge luxury!

I love eating food out alone, cinema alone, pub alone.

I wouldn’t go alone to a pub or fancy restaurant alone but have no problem going to coffee shops or fast food places alone.

I sat alone and also work in a bar/restaurant where plenty way alone and no one bars an eye lid. I doubt people were staring as it's incredibly common and un stare-worthy. In a busy or nicer place though you may well get the sitter table as they want to keep the larger groups the happiest as they make them the most money.