Eating out alone

traveller80

Hi

Just curious what people's thoughts are on eating out at restaurants alone.
I quite like eating out by myself in a big city, where i can feel a bit more invisible. I usually only to go to cheaper places tho..probably wouldn't do it in a nicer restaurant, even if i'd prefer the food there.

But i could never do it Ireland I always feel that people are looking at me thinking "aww look, she's eating all by herself" and i'd be absolutely mortified if someone i knew walked in. I dont tend to see much people eating out by themselves in Ireland...certainly not as often as you would in big cities abroad

What do you think? Do you eat alone? Do you ever look at people dining alone and think its sad?

Mellor

I wouldn't think much of it tbh, i see it quite a lot. I often see guys i know having dinner in the pub after work. Peopl just don't like cooking all the time.

Honey-ec

I love going out for a bite on my own - just me, my book and a glass of vino. Have never felt particularly stared at either. Wouldn't give a sh1t even if the whole place was staring at me either.

The Hill Billy

I work away from home all week, so thankfully I enjoy eating out on my own. Particularly if I can get a table for the entire evening. A good book, nice food & a bottle of wine in nice surroundings & being waited on hand & food - heaven.

dudara

I'm female and I often work away from home. Eating out on my own doesn't bother me in the slightest, and I would never take any notice of anyone eating on their own. Anyone who travels for business knows the reality of the situation.

nompere

dudara wrote: »

Anyone who travels for business knows the reality of the situation.

So true.

I think The Hill Billy has it right though - a bottle of wine, not the glass that Honey-ec thinks is enough!

The Hill Billy

Oops. Maybe that's more of a reflection on my drinking habits.

Manach

It is a chance to have a slice of "me" time. In that friends and relatives etc. are wonderful, but for a small period, not to have make small talk whilst eating a meal.

Honey-ec

nompere wrote: »

So true.

I think The Hill Billy has it right though - a bottle of wine, not the glass that Honey-ec thinks is enough!

I was pretending to be virtuous...

I'm drinking a glass of wine right now. Yes, at 4.30 on a Wednesday afternoon. On my own.

Faith

I work in town and often feel like eating out at lunchtime. I've no problem doing it by myself, but I do like to have a book or something - purely because I'll get bored otherwise!

Mogget

A friend once gave me a tip that if you bring a small notebook with you and pretend to scribble in it, the restaurant staff will think your a food critic and you will get a perfect meal (havent tried it myself yet though!)

CardBordWindow

Mogget wrote: »

A friend once gave me a tip that if you bring a small notebook with you and pretend to scribble in it, the restaurant staff will think your a food critic and you will get a perfect meal (havent tried it myself yet though!)

That's GENIUS!!

Tar.Aldarion

ive seen somebody do that! haha

would think nothing of it, i wouldnt enjoy it as much myself though

crystallove

I dont like the feeling eating alone ，I like eating with my friends，my family and all around me, I think this is very moving ,and have a good atmosphere...

D1stant

Mogget wrote: »

A friend once gave me a tip that if you bring a small notebook with you and pretend to scribble in it, the restaurant staff will think your a food critic and you will get a perfect meal (havent tried it myself yet though!)

A buddy of mine did that in the in Rathmines. He mentioned tat he worked for the Irish Times. He got his dinner for nought and managed to ride the waitress also (no lie)

duckworth

Mogget wrote: »

A friend once gave me a tip that if you bring a small notebook with you and pretend to scribble in it, the restaurant staff will think your a food critic and you will get a perfect meal (havent tried it myself yet though!)

I've done this myself, and it really does work! Even better, let the staff see you taking photos of the food, and they'll be all over you with extra courses/free drinks.

I do feel a bit sneaky doing it - but sure we all need something to get us through the recession....

stick girl

never had a problem eating out alone. as i'm the chef in the household, having someone else cook for me is divine. As others have said, nothing finer than to have a good book, nice food and a couple/few glasses of wine all by ones self...bliss. And who cares if people are looking at you. they should mind their own business.