Would you ever eat in a restaurant by yourself?

[xHoneyxBeex]

Would you ever go out to eat in a restaurant by yourself?

I was talking to a friend of mine and I was telling her about my day and that I had lunch at this restaurant in town. I told her I ate inside by myself and she was so surprised. She told me she would never do that because it was too embarrassing or awkward. Lol It didn't bother me at all though.

So, it just got me wondering how other people feel about this:)

Yes, I would eat in a restaurant by myself

No, I would not eat in a restaurant by myself

See results

[centigrade]

Yea, I always do with this "being single" thing going on :/ It can be ~strange~ feeling at times like the weekend nights when all the couples are around you but it's not like I'm causing a problem, and I've never had anyone stare or laugh at me to my knowledge, lol.
But every time I go alone It's like I'm roadkill and the cute waitress are like buzzards and always come and they are always so talkative and nice because I can't hide a blush at freaking all. So of course I could buy another meal for someone with the huge tip I always leave. It sucks, lol.

But yea, I go to like TGI fridays, Chili's, Logans, Lonestar, etc.

[xHoneyxBeex]

Ugh, I LOVE Logan's. Lol It's one of my favorite places to eat:)

[centigrade]

It is extremely good, but I left out my favorite. Texas Roadhouse OMG :P~

[xHoneyxBeex]

Haha yes, that is quite good as well:)

[kairon156]

I would and have ate at a restaurant by my self before.
I wanted some Jungle Jimms for a week or two so I went in by my self and ordered a few things. I got no weird looks from any one and left a tip when I was finished.

from the results most people would be okay with doing it.. looking at the gender women are about 50%/50% but 100% of men would do it.

Way off topic, I wonder if it has to do with "men going their own way"

[xHoneyxBeex]

I'm not sure. Or maybe it's because women are mors inclined to care what other people think and they don't want to look strange by eatinh alone. Most men I know couldn't care less about the opinions of others on anything. Lol

[kairon156]

it does seem to be a thing that men care less and less about what others think of them, but in turn I hope they care enough to shower in the morning and try to keep a job.

[TheoryOfAvarice]

Yes, I've done it before and I would do it again. I don't mind it.

It depends where you go though. I studied in Spain a couple years ago and eating by yourself at a restaurant or even just getting a drink at a cafe alone made you look like a social outcast... it was kind of tough for me haha, I prefer to do a lot of things alone but there that was just seen as completely strange. I wanted to just sit at a cafe with a book and some churros by myself so bad. Luckily there were a lot of great people in my program to hang out with but still, didn't have much alone time during that semester.

[xHoneyxBeex]

Really? That's crazy. I guess that just proves how different some cultures are. In America I don't think people pay much attention to someone sitting/eating by themselves.

[TheoryOfAvarice]

Yeah it was a bit extreme. I was in the southern part of the country, so maybe it was different in the north, but where I was studying the Spanish people were all very tight-knit.

And yeah, in America I don't mind eating out by myself at all, I agree I don't think people pay nearly as much attention to it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course... and I have.
If I want to go out but there's no one to go with, that's doesn't matter to me. I'm not going to let that stop me. I'll go and maybe take a book or something to keep my eyes busy. I love to observe the people around me as well, but that looks less strange and obvious if I at least have a book open near me :-P

[xHoneyxBeex]

Lol I also enjoy "people watching." Although sometimes it makes me feel like a creeper so I try to hide it. haha

[Opinion Owner]

Sunglasses, girl... sunglasses :-P

Thanks for MH too

[xHoneyxBeex]

haha yes. I'm very discreet. lol And no problem:)

[Daph81]

In a real restaurant, no. If I want to eat something but couldn't get anyone to come with me, I'd just order to take away and eat at home.

I would only eat along at my university canteen. It felt really weird and I feel like such a loser at first, but now I've gotten used to it.

[xHoneyxBeex]

Haha! That's so strange to me. I've never felt like a loser for doing it but I suppose it just depends on the person. But I'm more of an introvert anyway so I like being alone. Lol

[Daph81]

I also like being alone, but not in a crowd, where everyobe else has company and I'm all by myseeeeelffff...

[Daph81]

I no longer feel like a loser when eating alone at the uni, but I also like to avoid the lunch hour where the canteen is full.

Power to you honeybee, for eating alone and not feel awkward! =)

[xHoneyxBeex]

Lol well at least you no longer feel that way:) and thanks. Haha!

[Jordahn]

What's awkward about it? You gotta eat, and with so many people on different schedules, it's more convenient just eating when you have time, even if it's alone. The movies are a different story, I wouldn't have as much fun if I was by myself at the movies.

[DodgersGM]

Yeah, especially for lunch. I mean, I'd go (and have gone) for dinner somewhere by myself too if I wanted.

There's a brewery right down the street from me that I go to often by myself. I've kinda gotten to know some of the people there though so I guess that doesn't totally count.

[Red_Arrow]

The primary purpose of a restaurant is to eat. Going there for a date or whatever is secondary. So I can't figure why people would feel strange about eating alone, or look strangely at people who do. I have eaten in restaurants with dates and with family, but I have also eaten in them alone many, many times, especially as a place to go to lunch to get away from work completely for an hour. I often read then, too.

[PinkAcid]

not in a real restaurant, i would feel like i was wasting a table that could go to a family or group and i think eating in restaurants is more of a social event over just going somewhere for food.

i would be fine eating at a fast food restaurant or a cafe by myself

[kairon156]

the place I went to only had a few people there and I sat at a "table for 2"

Perhaps when you go make sure it isn't busy at the time.

[Agrojag]

I do it all the time. Some of the best experiences at restaurants have been when I was by myself. The people around me usually talk to me and, if not, I'll bring a book or something. I'm not going to deprive myself of good food and atmosphere just because the people I know are too lame to come with.

[nyfan25]

I've only done it a couple of times, but it was always something low key like a deli, a diner, or a pizza place or something. If I know I'm going to need food I usually just bring it from home and find somewhere to sit. Much cheaper that way ;).

I wouldn't go out of my way to go eat by myself though. It's expensive and I wouldn't be getting the most out of the money I was spending, sine I probably wouldn't be hanging around enjoying the evening or something by myself lol

[WhiteSteve]

I have, when I'm on the road for work, I travel a lot. I don't think I give off that Steven Glansburg vibe, so I'm not self-conscious. I do prefer it if there's a counter area to sit at rather than sitting in a booth by myself. Most of the time I just get stuff to go and eat in the car and listen to the radio, I have a beat up old windbreaker I wear and a beach towel to spread out so I don't catch a go-home stain, haha.

[novemberbaby]

Ehhh I don't know. I'm a waitress, and I always feel like it would be so awkward to eat out by yourself... I would just take it to-go. I feel like i need to entertain them way more than other tables, but still feel awkward FOR them, yknow? I don't know just seems like whats the point of going out to eat.. by yourself, because when i go out for a meal, i do it with other people for fellowship and fun. but i digress.

[AmyGrillett]

I used to all the time on my lunch break. It was some peace and quiet and I'm a loner anyway. Trying to entertain/conversate with somebody else makes me anxious lol.

[palek]

I prefer eating in restaurants by myself. I usually just order an appetizer then nonchalantly grab an entree off someone elses table when they go to the bathroom, or are otherwise distracted.

[llorando]

I have no problem eating in a restaurant by my self. I don't understand what the big deal eating alone in a restaurant, sometimes it's just nice to relax and enjoy am meal alone. If people are surprised by it or doesn't like, well bad news form them, cause I could care less of what the think about me eating alone.

[llorando]

for* instead of from.

[Hans222]

If it's just a snack or sandwich, yes I would... but not a menu or real restaurant kitchen.
Perhaps I'll try, on a first of April , to put a mirror in front of me, eat a menu and talk to the mirror. Just for the fun of the joke :-)

[kambo_trick3y]

Damn, judging by these answers some people are really damn scared to be alone.

[drummerdude25]

I do it all the time... It's not an ideal situation but it's not a big deal either. Most times I'm out and about getting stuff done so I just mind my own business and do what I gotta do... People can think whatever they want, I couldn't care less.

[Luv2BRealExotic13]

I have at the bar area. But sitting at a wide open area, I would sit if it were my first time there, I don't care about eating alone. Chains and restaurants I know most of the time I just call something in lol.

[Distant]

I do this several times a week. Why would it be awkward?

[xHoneyxBeex]

It wasn't awkward for me. But I suppose some people just feel awkward sitting by themselves and feel like other people judge them. I'm not sure. Lol

[meowcow]

Only at cheap places like fast food, Denny's...etc. Not at a nicer place. The only exception is when I'm travelling for work. Then I often have to have dinner alone.

[Phoenix98]

I eat by myself all the time I don't see what the big deal is. I go to this family own place that has been around for like 60 years and has the best food around. Go there all the time by my self no give me weird looks at all.

[ironeddie]

No. I don't/wouldn't do it. If I'm going to eat by myself. I'll get take-out go home and let the TV keep me company. Or even just sit in my car and listen to my music.