Is going for a coffee alone strange?

[LonelyNight2]

I’m sat with a nice coffee right now watching the world go by. When I told DH as I was heading out what my plans were, he looked at me as if I had gone mad! Anyone else enjoy a solo coffee occasionally or do you find the idea strange too?

Same here. I prefer gigs on my own too as it’s easier to squeeze up to the front.

I’ve even holidayed alone but that was when I was a single mum and my parents watched the kids. Went from Scotland to Alaska and travelling alone is actually lovely. Airports are my favourite people-watching place.

Not at all OP. I barely do it now due to current circumstances but I used to take random days off work when no one else was free, take the train to neighbouring towns and explore. A lot of walking meant that a lot of time was spent relaxing in coffee shops with a book.

Some people thought it was brave some people thought it was weird. I think it’s perfectly normal. 🙂

I'd find it weird. But I never really drink coffee out and about, and going into coffee shops for me is just something to do when you want a place to meet up and chat with people (and don't want to go in each other's home), or if you have time to kill and there's nowhere else to sit or it's raining. I can make a coffee at home for much less and better quality, and read a book on my sofa or in a park, so I don't see the point in paying to sit somewhere.

I do go and do other stuff on my own, like visit exhibitions or watching a film or theatre show. But those are things I can't do at home.

Your DH is the odd one!

Oof! But yes there’s something about being happy in one’s own company. Does he read? I’ll be having a coffee alone tonight whilst a child does a hobby. I will read, do a to do list and a bit of mumsnet browsing.

Not remotely. In fact surely many people get coffee on the way to or from something else, like taking a break from shopping or on lunch break? Or some people work on laptops in cafes.

I don't think it's weird to go for coffee, a meal or to the pub alone.

If anything you might get some restaurants being snobby and thinking you're taking two seats and won't spend enough. But if they vocalise that then obviously you won't go back and it will do their reputation no favours.

Coffee, cake and sudoku/puzzle mag and a break from the kids by myself - bliss!

I go to cafes on my own all the time. I think lots of people do. I also go into pubs on my own, go to the cinema/theatre/museums/galleries etc on my own. So does my DP.

I don't really go out only to go to a cafe though. If I go shopping or I'm out somewhere for the day I'll often go into a cafe alone with a book for an hour, but I don't really ever go out specifically to go to a cafe and then come straight back home again. So maybe that's what your DH was surprised by.

I'm not saying there's anything weird or wrong about doing that, though! I do know other people who do this, especially people who work from home and want a break out of the house.

I go for coffee, meals, the theatre alone. My husband will go to the cinema by himself. I enjoy going places with friends too but nothing wrong with going by yourself!

Not weird at all the only thing I wouldn't want to do alone is go on holiday. Going for a coffee by yourself is completely normal.

I love going for a coffee on my own!

What do you mean, uneducated? What's that got to do with it?

This 100%

Quite sad that anyone would think being in your own company is 'weird'. I do sometimes pop out for a nice coffee and drink it on my own as well, without any other add on activity.

Slightly off topic but I once had a hobby which involved dressing up and doing slightly silly things in public, anyone who took the piss was inevitably a massive boorish, boring wanker (I'm looking at you BIL)

Has your dh ever been to a coffee shop?
There are always people there alone!

I like to be on my own in a coffee shop at times, I can read the paper ,start a crossword ,people watch or simply just enjoy the drink. For a few years I did not have a partner so I had no choice at the time .Plenty of people go for meals on their own. I think your partner is strange commenting on that fact. I often see people reading a book on their own at coffee shops.

Not at all. I'm often sat there alone. Maybe because women are likely to be alone, they have to do things like this anyway.

Given, when I do go, it's mostly women, groups of women having a catch up or families. Sometimes you see a man alone behind a laptop but mostly seems to be women when I go for a coffee.

Min of 3-4 times a week....I love it. Definitely not weird. I'd rather go alone, than with someone. Sitting in a cafe now!!

Nothing wrong with it at all. I sit alone with a craft project. Far less distractions in a cafe compared to home.

I do it often. Lovely way to spend time.

Not weird but not something i would personally fo if near my house, I’d make a drink at home. If away eh at the mall I may grab a drink but more likely on the go. Can’t see the point of spending money on drinks unless away from home area

Quite normal

And I see lots of women drinking coffee by themselves!

I think it’s odd because I work full time and if I had an hour or so to myself I’d either go on a nice walk, run or cycle or get some jobs done around the house that you never have time to do but irritate you immensely. Like fixing a loo seat, or cleaning the air fryer, or buying a new toaster. That sort of thing.

The luxury of time to waste seems incredible.

Time enjoyed is not time wasted.

Heck, your DP is the odd one. I go out to eat alone if I wish and I certainly go to the theatre and cinema alone often. Going tomorrow, in fact. Love it. It's restful.

Your DH is odd. I not only have coffees by myself, I have breakfast or lunch by myself too. Not dinner, but I totally would if the opportunity arose.

I'll be having one alone tomorrow. I have an appointment at a salon for 9am, right by the school. School run is at 8:30am. Best believe I'm filling that half hour with a coffee next door to the salon without a second thought.