To ask if you go out for lunch solo?

[Hesxboon]

I have a day to myself Tomorow well afternoon once dd is in nursery. Really want to get my eyebrows sorted and go for lunch, maybe a bit of shopping. Why do I feel like I’m strange for going on my own? Especially lunch. Does anyone else do this? My dd is a handful and I never really get time to myself or to relax, or when I do I just do housework or the endless washing I have most days. Would you find someone lunching on their own odd? Or am I overthinking it?

Wouldn't give it a second thought.

This is so normal for me, I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

Just take a magazine or book with you to read at the table while you’re waiting for food.

I traveled the world solo for a few years so frequently went out for food alone. I enjoy my own company. But now I've got a 3 year old and 4 month old and would love a day by myself shopping and a meal alone. My dream day at the moment would be to go out shopping, dine by myself and book a hotel room and sleep. 😂 I'm a bit tired at the moment.

Yes. Every Friday. I WFH that day and take myself out to a variety of places for a lovely solo lunch.

I am rarely the only person eating alone. And even if I am no one looks or cares. No one is thinking about you as much as you think they are.

And joyless people: no I am not taking the piss while WFH. I have an hour's lunch break and this is the only day I use of all of it.

I've been known to lunch on my own. Of course it depends on where you go as to whether men hang around like wasps at a picnic, but it's possible to be rid of them.

Did you never do so before having a child? I don't get it! How can an adult old enough to have a child query going to lunch by themselves? I'm the kind who'd do pretty much anything on my own - dinner, cinema, holidays, hikes, etc but surely lunch is about as basic as it gets. It's lunch! You may as well ask, is it weird to go shopping on my own.

I absolutely love it, I go for lunch/dinner/drinks/gigs/festivals, basically anything, all on my own.

I travel a lot so eat alone a lot. I usually take my kindle and pop in headphones, no idea if people are staring as I'm in my own happy little world. I'd think they were very odd though if I noticed, there are many reasons someone might be alone; working away, visiting sick relatives, waiting for someone you'd accompanied to an appointment, just wanting to dive into a book in peace... I'd be confused if someone found it peculiar.

Of course it’s ok to eat on your own, what a strange post.

After i got over the idea that I’m not a saddo loner i do it all the time. Take a book, or your phone, or just people watch. Enjoy!

Not strange at all! I often do this. Was out on Saturday for lunch with my DD, and there was a lass on her own at the table next to us quite young (20s at a guess) and she had an afternoon tea!

That did look slightly odd to be sitting with a 3 tiered cake stand in front of her but, why not!

Never had an afternoon tea by myself but any other lunch, yes. And i did go out for a lone Sunday lunch once.

Enjoy your day!

Yes! I also go to films, sporting events, talks, museums, and just about whatever else I please by myself. It's a little harder to find the time now with kids and a husband, but I still do it regularly.

I'm not saying this in a "you're being immature" way, but I remember having a crisis about this as a teen feeling like I would look so pathetic. That insecurity was very real, and it was hard to get over but one of my professors told me to just do it anyways... thank god she did. It quickly became no big deal at all and it's meant that over the years I don't have to do any schedule coordinating or extra talking when all I really want is a nice quiet day, or miss out on things I want to do/places I want to go for want of someone to do them with. And I found out that I truly enjoy a quiet meal with a book or people watching.

Not everyone loves going places alone, but I'm a firm believer that everyone should give it a good go and find out for themselves.

Not sure which way to vote as
YANBU to go out to lunch on your own
YABU to think it is an odd thing to do.

I mean, I could understand the question a bit more if you were asking about going out to dinner in the evening on your own (though I still feel you should), but surely everyone grabs a bite to eat on their own sometimes - when shopping, when at work, when traveling somewhere, or just for a break or even little treat for themselves.

I've been going for lunch on my own for years

Really it is not a big deal..

Love a wee solo lunch or solo cinema. If you feel self conscious start with eg Starbucks or Costa, there are always loads of people on their own with laptops in there. I used to travel UK and abroad a lot with work on my own in my 20s and always looked for a chain I knew on the first day/evening until I got a feel for a place.

For some odd reason I don’t enjoy eating out just by myself. Not sure why as I live alone time. And I don’t mind shopping and doing other errands by myself. I’m more likely to get it to go and eat at home. I am jealous of those that have no issues with eating out alone.

I do it all the time and I love it!Off again tomorrow actually😄.

I'm going to the theatre on my own at the weekend,and I will go to the bar for an interval drink on my own too.

I had lunch by myself today in a foreign city. Treated myself to something a bit fancier than usual and had some really interesting, tasty food. Spot of people watching thrown in.

Yes all the time! Especially at work when I need bit of break and time to myself, I pop to a little cafe and hide away for an hour.

Same.

I don't even like going to the shop on my own. I prefer company.
If I'd things to do on my own I'd prob arrange to meet someone for lunch.

Some people prefer to be alone & that's ok.

It’s nice to do. I have breakfast or lunch on my own at least once a week.

I do this too!

Do it, have a glass of wine as well.

Regularly do it...at least once a week , ...I go for coffee alone at least twice a week plus I go to bars alone if I fancy a glass of wine when out and about.
I'm married and have friends but don't need them to validate my fun!