I’m sorry for your loss hon 😔
I do sometimes feel bad when so see people eating alone, but I realize that some people prefer solitude when eating, and enjoy eating at a restaurant.
I went to a restaurant in my town a while back, and I saw an older gentlemen, maybe in his late 80s. He was sitting alone eating his breakfast on a Sunday afternoon. My boyfriend and I went up to him to just spark convo because he was just looking around like he wanted to talk, but he was talking to himself. He just looked lonely. We noticed he has a printed photo of him and his wife. He said he goes to different restaurants every Sunday afternoon to have a “date” with his late wife. We got to talking, and he said he does it because it helps him cope, knowing he isn’t eating alone - He’s
Anyways, I thought you would like that story. I know it’s hard to cope with losses, especially if they were so close to you. I thought it would be a sweet idea to do, if you like going to restaurants alone. Bring a photo of you two, or of him, and just eat. You will get looks like you’re insane, but who the hell cares?
Thank you. I have a picture of us as my phone wallpaper and I kept my phone unlocked the whole time with my stand up. I'm going to try to make it a habit.
Maybe you were think this rather than it actually occurring! Maybe it’s something g you feared so you presumed it to be the case, but truly it wasn’t.
People are usually too self involved, and busy with their own live to care about others or what others are doing.
It completely natural to go out on your own. Be it to eat, to shop, to see a movie, to have a drink, dance etc. there is nothing wrong or unnatural about it what so ever. And no one that sees someone doing as such will look at a person and think this.
There are so many single people out there. Many have move across the world, to a new city, state and don’t have friends or family so they all go out and do things alone. It is not uncommon at all.
You have done something brave and something to make you feel good and attached to your loved one. Don’t feel like there is anything wrong, enjoy that moment, embrace it. And do things like this more often xx
Thank you
Xo 😘
Seems more normal to me, have you never sat down in a restaurant alone?
When I go on lunch break I'm alone, if I've got time for breakfast on a weekday I'd be alone.
If you are alone and looking for a partner you won't find them at your house, might as well go to a restaurant or bar, might meet someone.
What do single people not eat? Lol
Usually I don't pay attention cause I'm just trying to eat and leave, just leave me alone, and sense I'm usually just trying to eat and go I'm not looking to make friends or find a girlfriend so I don't pay attention to who makes up a group or who's sitting alone.
I'm just there cause I'm hungry and to lazy to cook at that piticular moment in time.
I don't see too many singular seated people at restaurants.
Lol fair enough
I am that person who goes to movie, restaurant, amusement parks, alone. And I don't feel any kind of sadness while doing those activities.
Hence I do not feel anything for other people who are single/alone in a restaurant or other such places. They may just be sitting there.
God rest his soul.
I prefer to go to see movies alone. That has always been my thing.
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No, I love the strength of doing your own thing. I’ve done it a couple times myself.
I once was working away and decided to grab some lunch, and I heard this guy (waiter) question to the head waiter, why I was on my own. The head waiter brushed it off as the most normal thing, and said something along the lines of: “So? Maybe she’s hungry?” They we’re both very quiet and had no clue I could hear. I loved how the older guy was so unfazed.
To be honest, why should anyone be? People scoff their burgers in McDonald’s parking lot on their own everyday 😂
Lol im guilty of burger scoffing
Same 😂
That person sitting alone is sometimes me.
if I am travelling for work, I’m often on my own and tend to have a table for one.
i have had people take pity on me and ask if they can join me.
Which is always a double edged sword, I never know how crazy she is and they definitely don’t know how crazy I am.
Sorry for your loss.
Time does heal but we carry these things with us always.
Thanks Chris.
I can’t answer yes or no as there’s times when you just want to be by yourself, sometimes company is nice, I can normally pick up when people are stressed, anxious or depressed, as I have been through it for the last 7 years, admittedly I do go out by myself it does me good, but it took a lot of courage and I was very anxious for the first few times.
I know there may be times when I’m feeling low, but I try to stay as positive and happy as possible, getting out for a meal is good, to see or meet others or just alone, 😊
Not at all. I have done alone and enjoy the experience… I have seen others done alone and just want to give them their alone time…
sometimes I like being alone. I have also gone to the movies alone after my divorce.
Some people can’t be alone …
I believe the alone time is the best time to reflect and heal…
True
Sorry for your loss.
No, my thought on answering the poll is I don't assume anyone's situation. So a person dining alone I don't think of them as lonely or that they lost anyone or don't have friends or anything like that. I think those things are possible, but also possible they are choosing to dine alone or have some other reason like a break from work, traveling through, etc, etc. We never know a person's situation until we ask.
Thank you
In your mind - - - - - Let them think what they want to think- just enjoy your dinner. They do not know why you are there alone, and it isn't their business (unless you want to make it so). Don't assume they wish you ill or think you are weird.
In someone else's mind - - - - - - - They don't know if you WANT to be alone, NEED to be alone, ARE alone but would rather be with others, etc. They may be very caring and just don't know to approach the situation. Leave you alone? Ask if you want to join them? Afraid to talk lest they be accused of assault (the threat- battery is the action)?
Personally, yes, I will wonder about people if the are alone in a restaurant, but I keep it in my own, confused little brain! :- )
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy doing stuff with my family and friends. BUT I love taking myself out. It’s allowed me to understand myself and love myself so much more. It’s also made me much more independent than before so that I’m not afraid of being alone and I’ll happily decline bad company.
That's great!
Thanks!
As usual people giving you stares because you want to enjoy some alone time. As if it's illegal to enjoy your dinner alone. Fucking pisses me off. Especially when I go to expensive restaurants and spend as much as three people would spent. Fuck you to anyone who stares. It's my money, I do with it what I want alone.
Absolutely
I don't know who you lost, but historically it has been me eating somewhere alone, going to movies alone, travelling alone, hiking alone, even going to Disneyland alone.
Sure I have friends/family, but they seem too busy to ever actually go or when they can, I can't. Rather than 'wait' for something that never seems to happen, I just go solo.
I don't even notice people eating alone.
No. They're eating! Probably got their favorite steak or lobster, don't have to excuse anyone to go to the bathroom, and can eat the way they want with at least anyone at the table saying anything. I could actually imagine some individuals being jealous!
Lol I definitely ate with no qualms about who was watching. Which says a lot about me and my social anxiety.
I used to go out regularly to restaurants on my own before all this Covid malarkey started and I loved it. I could have exactly what I wanted and when I wanted it. I’ve just started going out again, and…okay I went to McDonald’s yesterday for my breakfast as I had a busy day ahead of me and it was fab. I have got a local pub/restaurant close to me which I’ll be using again very shortly.
So, if you want to go out for a meal, you go and enjoy yourself. Don’t take any notice of anyone else.
Some people just have a phobia of eating with or around others. And its often a disorder that is so extreme that even having a single dining partner can give them so much anxiety they will not only cease eating but also if its bad enough just regurgitate their recent meal. o... o
m nope... there could be so many reasons as to why someone would dine by themselves, I always try not to assume things when I have no info at all, so nevermind going a step further and feel about something or someone I really don't have an idea about
Fair enough
I've also done some things because I'm mourning that might seem like I am having a bad time, for others... but for me, it is more of bittersweet, it does have a feeling of good as well, complicated... I know
Yeah it's weird.
I don't even pay attention to the other people there I just eat my food if I'm there with someone then they are the only people I'm going to be talking to outside of "excuse me" "I'm sorry" "ok" "thank you" "understood" "have a good day" and ordering my food
I am mostly the one eating alone and I dont want anyone feeling sorry for me. The feeling that everyone should be with someone is incorrect. In today's day and age it's completely fine for a person to be alone. I would rather be with myself with issues, than be with someone else and deal with both our issues.
depends, i can always tell the difference between someone that is alone cuz they like solitude and someone that’s alone and lonely. seeing an older man eating alone at a diner reading the newspaper i assume he’s happy enjoying peace and quiet. seeing a woman eat alone i’m always like she looks unhappy i wonder what her story is 😂
Lol so bring a newspaper next time? Got it.
only works if ur a guy 😂
Lol of course
I think people should be able to go out by themselves to eat in remembrance of a loved one who passed away yes it can be sad but I do realize things happen sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy
Thank you
@ShaTTeredMasterpeace You are welcome
If I want to be honest, I myself don’t prefer to go out alone for specially dinner when people go out for enjoying
But for launch, there’re many times when I eat at restaurants between work or in the way to arrive somewhere
When I see some one eating lonely if it’s dinner time I think she/he don’t have some one to go out but at lunch time or evening in cafe, maybe she/he is between his work time and wants to rest
Yes. I see myself happy, content (even comfortable without my digital drug of a smartphone) & look around at a bunch of obese physical (food) & digital addicts who are with each other, yet often more disconnected than me, who is often paying more attention in observing others than those at the table with them are... I feel so miserable being capable of internal/autonomous happiness not dependent on outside stimulus... what a miserable life that must be lol... to answer your critique - oversimplified tunnel-vision much?
I travel a lot with my job and often eat alone. It happens all the time now with so many employees being field-based. It's actually quite nice, because you don't have to listen to someone talking bullshit for an hour or so.
No, because that's what I do all the time. What's wrong with eating alone?
Nothing.
sort of depends on who. when pregnant i was obsessed with mcdonalds fries, so I'd often go around 8pm plus to have a portion. Just chilling and sating that food craving lol
just because someone looked at you , it doesn't mean they are judging that you're eating alone. when you're in public, people will look at you on occasion anywhere you go. you are just more self conscious right now about eating alone than you've ever been in your life , which is the reason why this is the first time you're noticing.
Idgaf... I eat alone too and burp freely and stay at the table as long as I want. Got no mofo tryin' to talk to me while I'm having my caprese salad and asking if they can have a bite and what I wanna do after this. How about stfu and let me eat, mofo?
For me I don't think so.
Restaurants are there so you can eat food. It isn't necessary that you should have a date. But yes you may get stares because it's very unusual to go any restaurant especially if it isn't something like KFC, Burger King and all.
It maybe be unusual for other couples because restaurants are usually the best spot for a date.
Why? If I'm hungry I'm not going to wait for a friend or what ever to be close by or something. I'm just going to eat what ever it is i want to eat, when ever it is I'm hungry.
I do and especially if they are older. I love to strike up conversations with them to help pass their time.
Nope. I probably enjoy dining out alone than I do with others. Hell, I went to Seoul yesterday and had some kick-ass pizza.
Not at all, I've eaten out alone many times. It's no different than going to a coffee shop alone, or a library or park. Embrace it and realise that nobody cares what you do in your free time.
No, I eat lunch by myself quite often.
If a woman would like to join me at the table... and pay for my lunch, I'd be thrilled.
Why would that upset me?
Lots of people do it. A lot of people travel for work and leisure and don't know anyone in the city. sometimes the restaurant is famous.
It is good to stay at hostels if you travel so you have someone to eat with but not everyone wants to do that.
I am everywhere alone in cinemas, restaurants, malls, etc. I'm anti social since childhood, I hate crowds, I like mountains
Why would you feel bad? If the person was lonely and depressed they’re usually get their meal to go! A person who eats alone in a restaurant (by choice) is someone who is more than likely comfortable with being alone.
Ok...
No. Why should I?
Don't think about such pointless things, people don't really care for your relationship status but how do you look. They stare if you look interesting, otherwise you don't exist for them.
Yeah this doesn't even make sense but alright.
No not really but it would have totally freak me out back then when I had terrible social anxiety
Yeah I still have terrible anxiety lol.
Nope. When I first moved. I ate alone more often than not when I went out.
No. Everyone has times and reasons that they are, or just want to be alone for a bit.
When I was away at university I enjoyed eating alone when I went to the diner on campus
Eating alone and enjoying your own company is a power move.
I don't understand the question.
Why would I feel bad?
I don't think anything.
Also, I frequently go to a lot of places on my own. Not a big deal.
Exactly
Because some people do feel bad. The question is not hard to understand.
yes, I do it has actually been like that for me so they might be hurting like I am so I can't help but have some sympathy towards them.
Not really I eat at restaurants by myself often. Just cause someone's alone doesn't always mean there lonely.
Not really, I used to travel a lot for work and eat by myself. I typically keep to myself so I don’t really think much of other people eating alone.
Generally, I mind my own business! What other people are doing or not doing is not my concern unless something happens that makes it my concern.
No, and I wouldn't want someone to feel bad seeing me do this either. Sometimes people just want to go to a restaurant and enjoy good food, either alone or with others.
They were probably checking you out, rather than judging you.
No I just wonder what is on their mind and of courseWHAT FEWD THEY ORDERED!!!
It reminded me of that movie Ratatouille and now I want to say to the waiter the following line in a French accent: 'I want tu 'ave what Hee is having'
Not at all. I treat myself to a meal out alone from time to time.
It's not a big issue. People eat by themselves all the time. It doesn't necessarily mean they are sad or something. So no, I don't feel bad.
I would not feel bad because i do it too. It is nice since you enjoy spending time with yourself and don't depend on someone.
No because sometimes I purposely eat alone at restaurants
I'm sure other people like doing that too
I do that sometimes. Last when I went skiing alone in italy I also always sat alone at a table to eat. I also go more often alone to see a movie or to themeparks than with someone
after literally 1000s of meals out alone, on business travel, I can go out and eat alone anywhere anytime with no concerns. This is often the case with the people you see eating alone
Could be they wanted quite time or/and a cheaper night out. Or get someone to feel sorry for them.
I am that person since 2013 when my wife passed away
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I enjoy my company and there are times when I want to have dinner alone. I hope people respect that and don't feel bad. I give the same respect to other people.
I usually wonder if there's a reason, if they're missing a companion who has stood them up, or passed on, or left them. I feel sorry for them.
My condolences for your loss.
No because I will eat alone and it not bother me one but so I don’t think much of it.
I don't worry about how others perceive me when I eat alone.
I eat alone quite often so seeing someone else eating alone has no effect on me.
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