Dining Out Alone

[SalixIncendium]

Because no one can stomach being around me IRL Because I choose to experience life solo, I occasionally notice pitiful looks from those around me when I dine in a restaurant alone. I go to a restaurant because I love the food, the interaction with the waiter(ess), and those at table around me, who I often find myself interacting with.

"[Salix], party of one" makes me giggle because my canned response in spite of these pitiful looks is "...and what a party it will be." That response usually draws laughter from onlookers and sparks some interesting conversation.

For some reason, society has made dining out some sort of social event. Not sure why.

How many of you just wanna eat when you go to a restaurant?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I do.

My friends also consider it weird when I go to a movie alone.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I do.

My friends also consider it weird when I go to a movie alone.

I'm at the movie to watch the movie!! Please let me know in advance if you consider this a social event and want me to hold your hand or put my arm around you. Otherwise, this could just get weird.

 

[SomeRandom]

I do. But I’m antisocial, so.....

 

[SalixIncendium]

I do. But I’m antisocial, so.....

*hears SomeRandom but awkwardly looks away*

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I'm at the movie to watch the movie!! Please let me know in advance if you consider this a social event and want me to hold your hand or put my arm around you. Otherwise, this could just get weird.

 

[Enoch07]

How many of you just wanna eat when you go to a restaurant?

Eating alone doesn't make me feel like I'm being judged. Going to the movie theater alone does though.

 

[Rival]

I'm always alone in the coffeehouse eating and drinking and no-one cares.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Because no one can stomach being around me IRL Because I choose to experience life solo, I occasionally notice pitiful looks from those around me when I dine in a restaurant alone. I go to a restaurant because I love the food, the interaction with the waiter(ess), and those at table around me, who I often find myself interacting with.

"[Salix], party of one" makes me giggle because my canned response in spite of these pitiful looks is "...and what a party it will be." That response usually draws laughter from onlookers and sparks some interesting conversation.

For some reason, society has made dining out some sort of social event. Not sure why.

How many of you just wanna eat when you go to a restaurant?

lol. I hear ya.

In my family, being together with family almost always involves food; potlucks are big with us. I always think that people dining alone are doing so because they're traveling, or they have work to do, or need time to think...I've done that often enough, and am not concerned about others and their dining preferences...I really don't expect everyone to be eating with company out at restaurants, nor at their homes...

When I go to a restaurant, I really don't want to interact with anyone but the waitstaff. My wife is more gregarious, but frankly, she's not all that interested in anything beyond us and our meal...

 

[Vinayaka]

I like dining alone because there's little argument about who is paying or what the tip should be.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I'm always alone in the coffeehouse eating and drinking and no-one cares.

No you're not. You're on your phone, moderating RF with me.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Eating alone doesn't make me feel like I'm being judged. Going to the movie theater alone does though.

Interesting. I would think the former would be more of a social activity than the latter. One can talk between bites, but it's annoying when people talk to each other during a movie. Of course, my daughter and I are quite annoying to the other moviegoers before the movie starts...

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

my son and I used to go to movies, and give them the MST treatment...if the movie wasn't very good, most people seemed to appreciate it...

 

[Skwim]

.

Who goes out to eat to eat?

.​

 

[Subduction Zone]

I used to eat at a sushi bar alone quite often. I was not the only one. The sushi bar was more of a mixed environment than tables were and you could get to know the regulars. So it was both a way to get the food that I wanted and it was still a bit of a social affair.

At the same time I did also frequent a Mexican restaurant where I would eat alone at a table. There I was a rarity, but not the only one that did that.

 

[SalixIncendium]

.

Who goes out to eat to eat?

.​

*ignores the fact there there is absolutely no food whatsoever on the table*

 

[Skwim]

*ignores the fact there there is absolutely no food whatsoever on the table*

What can I say? Slow service. The meal hasn't come yet.

.

 

[SalixIncendium]

What can I say? Slow service. The meal hasn't come yet.

.

I'm sorry you chose to dine at Denny's.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

*ignores the fact there there is absolutely no food whatsoever on the table*

clearly, it's AFTER the drinks, but BEFORE the appetizers...or AFTER the dinner and all the dishes have been removed...regardless, things seem to be going well...

 

[Skwim]

I'm sorry you chose to dine at Denny's.

Denny's has linen tablecloths? I wasn't aware.

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