Page 13 | To eat at a restaurant alone on Christmas day

Gorganzolabrie · 2024-12-21T12:39:40+00:00

I'm a single woman in my sixties with no children. This year all my family and friends will be away/with other family for Christmas and for the first time ever I'll be alone on the 25th. This doesn't particularly bother me. It would be nice to have someone to spend Christmas with but I'm not a very Christmassy person and I'm looking forward to going away for a week over New Year. I discovered that one of my favourite local restaurants is open for a few hours in the afternoon and has a Christmas menu, so I booked myself in. I'm now having second thoughts. I'm wondering if I'll feels self-conscious dining on my own on Christmas day. I don't really want to be an object of people's curiosity or pity and I certainly don't want to be invited to join another table. Should I cancel and have a more relaxing time on my own? I'm also curious about whether any of you have dined alone in public on Christmas day? What was it like? If you saw somebody doing it, would you feel sorry for them? YABU - Sod what people think - go and enjoy your solo meal YANBU - Stay at home. It will be less stressful TIA for your responses.

BlushPine · 23/12/2024 13:05

Pinkflamingo84 · 22/12/2024 19:02

I'd be that person that invites you to sit with us 🙈🙈 I'd also probably shed a few tears that you were alone, I can't help it, it's the type of person I am. I'm silly really, i would just assume that anyone alone was unhappy being alone, you're clearly fine with your own company and many others too, I wouldn't be, I'd be sad and that's probably why I feel the way I do. I say go and enjoy your meal but expect to come across people like me 🤣🙈🙈

Of course you can help it, @Pinkflamingo84 — if you are the kind of person who is so terminally unimaginative you can’t imagine someone enjoying something you wouldn’t, and are unable to refrain from performative weeping at someone who is in no need of your pity, then maybe you shouldn’t go out in public until you learn more self-control?

Deeperthantheocean · 23/12/2024 18:01

Oh absolutely do it! There will be great atmosphere and friendly people I'm sure. A personal treat, luxury, enjoy. Honestly no one thinks much about anyone else as too busy with own lives. If I was sat next to someone on their own I would just smile, have a chat and hope they're having a nice time. Xx

emmax1980 · 23/12/2024 19:37

Go for it

mrlistersgelfbride · 23/12/2024 20:20

I'd go and enjoy OP.

I love dining out alone , admittedly I don't get much time to but I hope to do Christmas day out by myself one day when my daughter is an adult and I don't have a partner or in laws

Take a book and politely turn down any offers to join anyone.
I hope you have a good time.

AngelicKaty · 25/12/2024 11:10

Gorganzolabrie · 22/12/2024 21:21

Thanks for all your encouragement. I'll definitely report back!

MERRY CHRISTMAS OP! 🎄🍾Hope you have a fabulous day however you've finally decided to spend it (but am secretly hoping you're currently getting yourself togged up to enjoy a lovely lunch out! 😉).

theallotmentqueen · 25/12/2024 11:13

I'd go for it - if you're feeling awkward, I'd bring a book to read! Have a lovely Christmas.

JennyTals · 25/12/2024 15:40

Merry Christmas op
Did you make it out ?

Allwillbewell2 · 25/12/2024 15:45

Hope you had a fantastic time OP!

Original poster

Gorganzolabrie · 25/12/2024 18:34

So it happened! Fortified by a couple of glasses of fizz and dressed up in a festive but discretely unostentatious way I went to the restaurant. Taking your advice, I took a book with me. Having read all of your responses I wasn't sure what to expect. I had fantasies of being besieged by an army of drunken@Pinkflamingo84s determined to tearfully rescue me from my lonely, despairing solitude. I was almost disappointed when my arrival was greeted by... nothing. The restaurant was mostly full, small groups of well-heeled North London families and friends chattering quietly; none of whom paid me any attention at all, or even looked in my direction (if they did, it was too discreetly for me to notice). I sat in a corner table. The food was delicious; the staff solicitous but unobtrusive. I passed the time texting family and friends, drank the complementary glass of champagne, paid the exorbitantly expensive bill (won't be doing that again!) and left.

Lovely as the food was, the most satisfying part of the whole thing was hearing all your thoughts, speculation and good wishes. It made me feel less alone. Hope you're having a fabulous day.

OP posts:

Petrasings · 25/12/2024 18:39

Gorganzolabrie · 25/12/2024 18:34

So it happened! Fortified by a couple of glasses of fizz and dressed up in a festive but discretely unostentatious way I went to the restaurant. Taking your advice, I took a book with me. Having read all of your responses I wasn't sure what to expect. I had fantasies of being besieged by an army of drunken@Pinkflamingo84s determined to tearfully rescue me from my lonely, despairing solitude. I was almost disappointed when my arrival was greeted by... nothing. The restaurant was mostly full, small groups of well-heeled North London families and friends chattering quietly; none of whom paid me any attention at all, or even looked in my direction (if they did, it was too discreetly for me to notice). I sat in a corner table. The food was delicious; the staff solicitous but unobtrusive. I passed the time texting family and friends, drank the complementary glass of champagne, paid the exorbitantly expensive bill (won't be doing that again!) and left.

Lovely as the food was, the most satisfying part of the whole thing was hearing all your thoughts, speculation and good wishes. It made me feel less alone. Hope you're having a fabulous day.

Happy Christmas op! It sounds like a total success - are you settled at home now eating your favourite titbits and unashamedly hogging the TV? I am so pleased it went so well 🫡

AngelicKaty · 25/12/2024 18:41

GREAT to hear OP! 😃 Glad you got out of the house, glad you enjoyed the food (and the fizz) and sorry about the hefty bill. Now you can flump in front of the TV like the rest of us - have a relaxing, peaceful evening. 🤗

GhastlyGoodTaste · 25/12/2024 18:47

That’s good to hear, @Gorganzolabrie!

And I hope your experience will prove … instructive for some of the more timid posters on your thread.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/12/2024 19:17

We enjoyed sharing this Christmas experience with you, @Gorganzolabrie !

sammylady37 · 25/12/2024 19:19

Delighted for you, op. Hope your post encourages others who may be hesitant to give it a go next year.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 25/12/2024 20:08

You just need to come ready with a big smile and a prepared 'Thank you so much, you're very kind to ask, but I've been really looking forward to spending this time on my own, so I'm just going to sit here with my book.' Restaurants are for everyone not just couples and groups.

AnneLovesGilbert · 25/12/2024 20:16

Merry Christmas OP, it sounds like your lunch was great and may I say that you write really beautifully. You paint a lovely picture and I’ve enjoyed your posts.

PassingStranger · 25/12/2024 21:41

iamnotalemon · 21/12/2024 12:50

Why not, enjoy it. If someone asks you to join them, just say no thank you.

Or why not say yes a d enjoy some company with fellow human beings.

ilovesooty · 25/12/2024 21:50

I'm glad you went and had a good time . I went out too. None of the other customers took any notice of me either but the staff were lovely.

TofuTart · 25/12/2024 21:53

PassingStranger · 25/12/2024 21:41

Or why not say yes a d enjoy some company with fellow human beings.

Show quote history

Because sometimes you're perfectly happy sat in your own company and don't want to make small talk with strangers?

RadioCountdown · 25/12/2024 21:57

How utterly lovely. Good for you. So glad you enjoyed it despite the bill.

larklane17 · 25/12/2024 22:08

I'm so glad that you did this and had a pleasant evening, well done.

larklane17 · 25/12/2024 22:10

ilovesooty · 25/12/2024 21:50

I'm glad you went and had a good time . I went out too. None of the other customers took any notice of me either but the staff were lovely.

Oh good for you. Sorry, I missed your post for some reason.

JennyTals · 25/12/2024 22:59

Yes op ! Good for you
I bet your feel really good now
good confidence boost going into 2025 xxx

Original poster

Gorganzolabrie · 26/12/2024 00:11

ilovesooty · 25/12/2024 21:50

I'm glad you went and had a good time . I went out too. None of the other customers took any notice of me either but the staff were lovely.

A fellow lone diner! I hope you enjoyed it.

OP posts:

saltinesandcoffeecups · 26/12/2024 01:38

Gorganzolabrie · 25/12/2024 18:34

So it happened! Fortified by a couple of glasses of fizz and dressed up in a festive but discretely unostentatious way I went to the restaurant. Taking your advice, I took a book with me. Having read all of your responses I wasn't sure what to expect. I had fantasies of being besieged by an army of drunken@Pinkflamingo84s determined to tearfully rescue me from my lonely, despairing solitude. I was almost disappointed when my arrival was greeted by... nothing. The restaurant was mostly full, small groups of well-heeled North London families and friends chattering quietly; none of whom paid me any attention at all, or even looked in my direction (if they did, it was too discreetly for me to notice). I sat in a corner table. The food was delicious; the staff solicitous but unobtrusive. I passed the time texting family and friends, drank the complementary glass of champagne, paid the exorbitantly expensive bill (won't be doing that again!) and left.

Lovely as the food was, the most satisfying part of the whole thing was hearing all your thoughts, speculation and good wishes. It made me feel less alone. Hope you're having a fabulous day.

Merry Christmas!