Enjoying solo travel and solo dining doesn't make me odd does it?

[candyisdandybutliquorisquicker]

Had a conversation with colleagues today that left me wondering if I'm odd 😂

We were talking about vacation plans and the subject got round to general attitudes to travel. I have three kids and my husband and I prioritize trips/holidays over many things. I love the fact that my kids have seen a bit of the world. That said, we also appreciate opportunities for solo travel. I'm an expat and recently came back alone to the UK for a week, and my husband is going to Italy soon for an event. Kids are old enough that one parent can handle them just fine. To add perspective, in addition to these two solo trips, the kids will have had 3 family holidays/short breaks this year too.

When I mentioned this, every colleague bar one not only said that there was nothing about solo travel that appealed to them, but said that they wouldn't even dine out solo in a "sit-down" restaurant. I've done solo dining too many times to even count, in various circumstances, and was pretty shocked that I was such an outlier! These are all middle/upper-middle class so finances aren't playing a role here, I don't think.

What say you, MN hive? Is solo travel the domain of the weird, friendless and/or misanthropic? Or do my colleagues have a limited outlook on the wonder of solo adventures?

YANBU - Solo travel/dining is one of the great pleasures
YABU - It's odd and you're odd 😉

What is weird is someone unable to have diner alone.
Preferring not to be alone is different.

No, you are not odd to enjoy solo travel. I hate it, but I don't think it makes me odd either.

If I need to eat, I go to a restaurant alone however, never asked myself the question 😂

I travel alone, because I’m on my own and I want to travel. No option.
I’m not keen on fancy dining alone though, I usually aim for the more casual end of the market to be honest. Not quite sure why. Do you like fancy places OP?

Your colleagues are a wee bit narrow minded. Some people just can't comprehend doing anything alone.
I'm not one for fancy meals when I'm travelling but I'll have brunch, lunch or a more casual dinner (e.g. pizza) by myself no problem. Once I had a solo afternoon tea. That was a good day!

YANBU. Definitely.

I love a bit of solo travel. DP has a massively time-consuming hobby which means he is away doing that for several weekends every year. So if he can bugger off to enjoy himself , so can I. And if nobody is available or wants to go with me, I will very happily go on my own. And I enjoy eating in restaurants on my own very much.

You are definitely not weird and I am definitely jealous! Very rare I have an opportunity to go somewhere alone! You enjoy yourself.

I haven't had the opportunity to solo travel very often, but I love it when it presents itself. I make all the right "oh dear" noises but inside I am "WOO-HOO"

Im single and childless and my friends can’t always travel when I can. So I do it a lot and love it.

Never get the chance to solo travel these days but I am someone who enjoys being alone when I get chance. I have no problem dining by myself or going to the cinema or exploring etc.

Absolutely not! I sometimes go away on my own. In fact I’ve just booked a solo holiday for next year. I like being with friends but I also am very happy with my own company. I enjoy doing a bit of both.

I'd rather go on holiday with my family and share the experience with them.

But I like solo travel for work alone.

That bit where you finish work and crawl into bed at like, 6.07pm and starfish and OMG it's so bloody good.

😂So true!

I love solo trips. Not done many, but those I have done, I’ve really loved.

Happy to sit in a restaurant alone too.

Not that I don’t like being with others, whether adults or my kids, but there’s something about not having to co-operate at all!

They sounds very closed minded. Some people don't have to be in company to be comfortable doing things.

I've done loads of solo holidays and eaten alone. It's perfectly enjoyable. We are obviously OK with our own company.

YANBU

I try to mix it up. Usually I am lucky enough to be able to go away at least four times a year. Will do two trips with groups of friends, one with DD or/and DS, and one alone.

No problem dining alone, cinema, theatre, museums etc. I quite enjoy not having to compromise. I am not a foodie but adult DD often indulges in solo fine dining when she travels abroad.

I took myself to a Michelin starred restaurant on my own because I don't have anyone who'd want to go with me. I read my book, enjoyed my meal and had a great time.

I couldn't give two hoots what anyone else thinks.

It's not my personal cup of tea but that doesn't make it weird. I can understand why you enjoy it.

I've traveled by myself & love it - the choices to see whatever I like, to stay & eat what I like is great too.
Obviously there have been days I'd love my DH to be there too to share things with but it hasn't stopped me before & won't in the future (he hates traveling & won't go)
If you have the option to go to a more upscale restaurant do it - your £/€ are as good as the full tables seated around you.
And enjoy

I wonder why you think it's odd?
There's a Facebook group for women who travel solo your not the only one by far.

Same here. On the rare occasions I holiday with other people I usually think I'd prefer to be on my own.

Sometimes you have an interest which family and friends don't have, and it would be unkind to force it upon them.

I love travelling alone. I've been doing it for decades now. Firstly because most of my friends are married and have children and I'm not, so our priorities and schedules are very different. Also, over the years I've visited some places which aren't exactly mainstream, so it was a question of either not going or going alone. I'm very happy I went alone.

As a solo traveller, you can do exactly what you want without any of the petty arguments over where to dine and what to do. There are downsides, not least that it can be a lot more expensive, but in many ways it's a great way to travel. Certainly, if the choice is to travel solo or not travel at all, I would certainly make that trip.

Of course YANBU

They are the odd ones - not fully grown up, really.

I have travelled alone and I regularly eat out alone. I struggle to understand people people who say they can't do either of these things. OK,maybe solo travel isn't to everyone's liking,but I love it because it gives me freedom of choice. No having to take anyone else into consideration. Maybe I'm just getting selfish in my old age?! I like eating out alone too. Don't get me wrong,I love going out for a meal with my family or close friends,but equally,I like to just sit and enjoy my food and look at stuff on my phone. The only drawback to eating out alone in pubs is getting hit upon by men,who think that a lone woman is easy prey,and they would be far happier if he kept her company!

YANBU.

I am a sociable person but also v comfortable in my own company.

TBH with three kids at home, I can imagine a solo trip is absolute bliss. Quiet. No questions. No one to be responsible for. No negotiation over what to do or where to eat.

solo travel is great. I’m also happy to go to restaurants, theatres, the cinema, concerts and pretty much everything else alone, although I admit to being a bit hesitant about going to pubs on my own.