Would you go to exhibition in your own?

[Oakstreet]

One in London I want to see but either no one is interested, or no money and I can't afford to pay for a friend, far this year I've paid for her lunches, and she has never once repaid me, so I've said sorry can't afford it as she would expect me to pay her tube/train too, probably food, yes she has been through a tough time but I'm not loaded, far from it. So I'm going on my own? Is it like going to the cinema on your own, weird?

Once you realise you can do things on your own, it is extremely freeing. Go to the exhibition!

I always go to exhibitions on my own. Going with someone means going at their pace which is always either too fast or too slow.

I go to museums, exhibitions, cinema, dining on my own all the time. I send about half my time alone (or with my dog) in central London and tend to pop out midweek when friends and family are working.

I also long haul holiday alone at least once a year- as does my DH.

Go on your own. I prefer most things like shows, museums etc alone. I don't have to consider anyone else, it's bliss.

I went to the Picasso museum in Malaga with a friend and she walked round at breakneck speed muttering comments like ‘I could do better myself’. Each to their own but I’d much rather go to things on my own especially if said friend is going to be a dick about it.

I've visited London on my own several times for culture weekends.

If I don't know anyone interested or can afford the trip, I'll happily go solo. There's no time wasted discussing "where should we go/eat"... Get a good playlist together, charge up the headphones, and enjoy a little Me time!

No, this was a long time ago. I think it was about 1994 and the actor was born in the early 1900's. A household name all the same and very humble. He was more interested in me telling him about my day job than talking about his.

No it's not weird and nor is going to the cinema alone.
I prefer going to museums, exhibitions and galleries alone because you can look at whatever you like for as long as you like, without that kind of uncomfortable feeling of having to move on because the other person wants to or having to stand around looking at something you aren't particularly interested in because the other person finds it fascinating.

I think some of this "it's weird" stuff still stems from society's expectation that people should be coupled up and that those alone are strange loners to be suspicious of. Or sad people who can't find friends. All of that is nonsense and the more of us who go out and do things alone, the more visible it becomes and hopefully eventually attitudes will change.

Its not weird at all

Some Years ago there was a Titanic Exhibition at the O2 and nobody else was interested so I went on my own one weekday Afternoon.

Going on your own to do something that you enjoy is one of life's greatest pleasures.

The only thing I wouldn't like to do on my own is go on a resort holiday. Everything else is 👌

I did the Harry Potter Studios tour on my own. Absolutely loved it! Would have been out in half the time if DH had gone with me, but I got the time to spend looking at everything I wanted to, really closely, and take loads of photos)

Definitely do it! You'll kick yourself if you don't!

I love going to galleries and museums alone.

Why is it weird, going to cinema alone? Single friends do it all the time as well as eating out, holidaying, etc.

I prefer to go to exhibitions on my own, I get more of a proper art fix if I can look and re look to my heart’s content. Also, solo outings are fun and I enjoy my own company. Day off karma at its best.

Not weird and absolutely fine to go alone/ have lunch/ drink cocktails.

None of this alone is weird and I actually prefer doing things alone, at my own pace and not worrying whether the other person is bored etc, going alone also prevents distractions if going to museums or the cinema, I love reading my book on the journey, no comprising on food preferences or times, the list goes on. Your friend who is happy to let you pay for her everything is taking advantage of you, whether consciously or not

This.

Imagine missing out on things you wanted to do just because someone wasn't there to hold your hand!

If anything i think cinema is an ideal example of something to do alone because you shouldn't be talking during the film anyway so it shouldn't make any difference whether the person sitting next to you is a friend or stranger (Or the ideal, am empty seat!)

I’ve been to museums (and cinemas) on my own. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and become an independent woman!

Agree with everyone else, I think it's a lot weirder/sadder when someone doesn't do something they want to. In most cases the other people around you won't even know whether you've come alone or if you're with someone but they've wandered off ahead/are in the loo/were planning to come but dropped out last minute etc.

I can categorise activities into those i actively prefer to do alone (gym, shopping), those I have no preference either way (cinema, museums, going for a walk, driving) and things I'd ideally prefer to do with company but will still happily do alone if not going at all is the alternative (holidays, live music or comedy, eating out).

Other people might have different "rankings" (i appreciate that if someone is a foodie or wants to get work done while eating or just a change of scene they might be prefer to eat out alone whereas I usually just do it for the company and would be as happy with a takeaway or room serviceif i was hungry) but I'd never judge anyone for doing anything alone -I'd be more likely to judge those couples/families that are dragging round bored partners/kids who clearly don't want to be there!

I go to exhibitions alone all the time. And occasionally to the cinema. I have lots of friends 😂 but i like my own time.

Go on your own OP! It's no big deal.
I do cinema, theatre, exhibitions, music gigs and short holidays on my own and I would sign up for a day or two-day course on my own if I wanted to learn something. I also do these things with friends but I don't worry if they can't make it. Lots of people do the same!
Next week I'm going to London to see a band I love, but nobody else is a fan of in my circle. If I didn't go alone, I'd miss out. I think I'd prefer to go with friends, but it's not their thing.
Life is so short, really. Have fun when you can!

I just think it’s weird that any woman brought up in a non-Saudi society in the late 20th and 21st century would feel that going to an exhibition by herself, moving around rooms full of other people also on their own, was ‘out of her comfort zone’.

Oakstreet - Do yourself a huge big fat favour and go on your own to the Exhibition, Theatre, Gallery, Cinema, Museum etc etc etc.

Right now I am enjoying a rather nice Gin and Tonic in the Wetherspoons in Bath, having a lovely solo time before going to a matinee performance of “Blood Brothers”.

i am an extremely friendly and sociable person with a nice amount of very good loyal friends but I never want to share my days out/visits/Cinemas/Theatres with them.

After a very long lifetime of looking after and guiding my family and husband I am now free to Please Myself.

I do not want or need to have anyone with me to have an nice enjoyable time, I do not have to consider or worry about if another person is enjoying themselves/is bored or just not enjoying whatever it is I am doing.

Being on your own you can Please Yourself. You can stop for coffee/lunch when you want (my friends would never go to Wetherspoons) You don’t have to fit in to anyone else’s plans and you can go at your own speed at whatever takes your fancy.

Your friend sounds like a “taker” and really do you need a hanger on for you to enjoy yourself?

i very often meet like minded people when I am out on my own and have met many fascinating people this way.

I have just come home from three weeks in India- I was with a tour group which was fun but I was a solo traveller.

Please don’t miss out on any opportunity to have a fun interesting time. Go by yourself and enjoy what you want without the worry of someone just tagging along.

Anyone can do it - I do it all the time and I am 75 soon!

Yes I go all the time! I actually find it more enjoyable as I can take my time to look and read, etc.

Yes I would!

Who knows, do this often enough and you might get chatting to another solo gallery goer 😀

It's perfectly normal to do things alone. Certainly not weird
Museums and exhibitions are best experienced alone.
I'm a huge advocate of solo holidays
Also concerts
More and more women are choosing to stay single so solitary experiences are acceptable
And it's incredibly empowering