I'm completely comfortable being alone, but generally, eating out is a social activity for me.

I NEVER eat out alone. I see people all the time doing it, but I agree with Dear- half the fun is in the socializing. I would feel awkward and uncomfortable I think.

I will not eat out alone, and it sucks because my boyfriend still away for many many more weeks and going out to eat is my favorite thing to do I just have a fear of people staring at me and thinking I have no one. I did go to the movies by myself a few weeks ago, though, for the first time, and that wasn't bad at all. There were lots of people by themselves...but usually not at restaurants. What can I say, I'm self conscious. UGH!

I travel a lot for work, and quite often I'm travelling by myself and end up eating out alone. I don't mind so much at lunch, but at dinner I like to bring a book, notebook, or my phone with me. I'm so used to eating with a distraction, that it's awkward to sit there by myself with nothing!

I have NEVER eaten alone either.

I've eaten alone on a number of occasions, and never felt sad because of it. While being with friends can be fun, I also love my alone time. And I like to people watch anonymously. No need to feel bad for us!

I eat alone all the time... it's really nice, sometimes, and I get to enjoy my food without distraction.
The only thing I really DON'T like about eating out alone is all the sad, pitying looks I get from others who feel "bad for me"!

I don't mind eating alone - I actually enjoy my own company, sometimes I will take a book or my Mac, but mostly I just eat at the bar/counter area sans distractions. I also really enjoy going to the movies alone. I would actually encourage anyone who has not done so to try just once and you may be surprised with your self!!!

I do once in a while, if I'm shopping and it's alright. I don't take a lot of time as I'm in a hurry to get back to business!

Sometimes, I'll be on the go and HAVE to eat alone. I actually pretty much enjoy it. There's no forced conversation (that's my favorite part), and it's very relaxing and a good time to reflect.

I do get pitying looks sometimes, however, and it can get really annoying!

Lambsauce -- I agree with you completely. I actually enjoy sitting down with a meal alone. It's peaceful to eat without having to make conversation and to just really enjoy my food. I hate the pity stares, though! It's like no one can imagine that you are choosing to have a meal by your lonesome.

I've done it before and I'm okay with it...nothing bad about it. There was only one time that I can remember where I felt AKWARD, cuz I felt like everyone was watching me. But thatcant be bad, right?

I have noticed these people too! I would absolutely hate to eat at a restaurant by myself while there are people around with their people and having conversations. I'm not saying I feel bad for people who eat alone, yet I give em props for being able to do so because I know I'd honestly have myself a pity party if I ate out alone, Im not even sure my cell or a book could save me.

LIke bastille_75, I LOVE going to movies alone!

I moved cross country after college and didn't know a soul when I arrived- eating alone was and still is a way to get out of the house, be social, even if it's only people-watching, and a way to treat myself! Sure, it can be uncomfortable at times, but I'm not going to let myself miss out on one of my favorite things to do just because I'm alone.

Don't feel sorry for people eating alone!! I think there is something empowering about going out to eat by yourself, ordering a glass of wine, and just enjoying a meal. And I agree with Lambsauce--the only bad thing about it is the looks from people like you, Dear. I don't do it often, because I also love the social aspect of eating out, but it's usually when I'm traveling by myself. I'm not going to let being alone keep me from trying a fun restaurant in a new town.

i would never eat out alone, i just cant!
my husband used to do it all the time when he was single and feels so comfortable with it. to each his own

I don't mind eating alone...I crave alone time, and sometimes it's just nice to take a book and have some "me time."

My boss (I'm a nanny) said that she used to feel badly for people she saw eating alone and she thought they must be so lonely. Four kids later, she envies them!

I don't mind eating lunch alone, but for some reason dinner is a bit scarier. I go to the movies on my own quite a bit, I'm pretty independent I guess.

I did lots in Europe. Come on...I was there with 2 guys and that's it!
I needed my time alone!
The onyl thigns that sucked was I could barely speak the languages so I was limited to ordering things I knew how to pronounce!

I've never done it, but I keep saying I'm going to. I have a friend that used to go on dates with herself to get away from her husband and kids.

I have to say that I never even thought about pitying people who eat alone until someone mentioned that they would never go out to eat alone. i don't get it personally eating is not a team sport it doesn't require someone else's help, so why not go it alone. I have eaten alone in one of my favorite restaurants before and it's fun. I like to people watch like someone else said and you can do that without having to make faces or nudge someone under the table, plus you get to have a quiet time alone just to think or relax without havig to come up with something to say. Maybe I'm just weird though because I'm also the kind of person who can sit in a car on a long trip and not feel the need to have a conversation. I like the silence

I've felt bad for people who were alone before, but I do realize that some people like it. I mostly feel bad for older people (I guess I assume they are widowed or something.)

I've also eaten out alone before though. At first it was uncomfortable, but after a bit I could relax and enjoy the meal. I've always wanted to go to the movies alone, just to see what it was like.

I am JUST like bransugar. Same kind of person!!
!

i love eating out alone! usually it's at the sushi bar, so i don't feel that alone. but it lets me really relax and enjoy the food. usually i'll be making extra notes of the food i eat so i can write a review of it in yelp or something.

i like to eat out a LOT and sometimes your friends just can't afford to eat out that much. besides, i like to eat a lot, and i don't feel like eating with friends who barely touch their food while i scarf mine down.

i completely agree with you bransugar.....I like the quiet alone time with my thoughts and sometimes eating alone can spark new conversation...i was planning on eating alone once and an old man started talking to me and ended up paying for my meal while we had a n amazing conversation! I love long road trips with no conversation too! The silence is comforting!

I never have had the courage to eat alone-and I have to say I'm a little jealous of the people that can!

i eat out alone all the time... it doesn't bother me too much unless i'm feeling very self-conscious that day, but what choice do i have? ah well.

I am of the don't-mind-eating-alone camp. I definitely agree that a book or magazine helps take away the weirdness. One of the saddest things I have ever seen though was at dinner at Chili's one night with my bf. There was an older gentleman eating by himself at a table in the bar area with a picture of his (I'm guessing deceased) wife propped up across the table. It brought tears to my eyes.

I love eating by myself. I'll bring a book or something to write on, and I have a nice little meal.

I don't mind eating alone either. Like another poster said, I enjoy my own company, too. In fact, this morning, I was considering making a reservation for high tea for myself only (after a museum visit).

Those who feel sorry for us are inaccurately projecting their feelings on us, presuming we're like them, which we are not.

I've eaten alone on a few occasions at public restaurants. I haven't done it on a Friday or Saturday Evening. I do envy women who eat at restaurants by themselves - because to me - that is the epitome of being self assured with oneself and not caring whether or not they are alone or with friends.

I do like eating with friends - eating out is a social thing for me.

I do feel a little uncomfortable eating alone, but now that I've started traveling on my own, it is a must. It especially isn't so bad when you are at a place where you can look outside at scenery or people to keep your mind busy. The idea of bringing a book to read also is very appealing to me too! As sad as it is, this is a huge step for me since I was the girl who NEVER ate a single meal alone in the dorms.

I love eating alone, especially with a good book. Sometimes, I crave alone time and just not alone time at home or in front of the TV.

I really wish this had been a poll so I could see the response. The first batch of commenters were mostly against it, and then later people were mostly for it, almost 50-50.

I personally really like eating by myself. I have a super picky eater in the house, so going out by myself is the best way to get exactly what I want to eat. Plus, bonus, lots of quiet thinking time!

I adore eating out alone! Sometimes it's just very, very nice to have a lovely meal by yourself, with the benefits of people-watching and good service.

I eat alone a lot when I travel for work, and I really enjoy the quiet time. In fact, I will often eat out alone even if I am not traveling for work (i will just go to a local restaurant if I feel like eating out and none of my friends can join me).

Don't feel bad for people who are alone - chances are they are like me and have no problem with it!

I don't mind eating lunch alone, especially if I have a book with me. Althoug if I get a big meal I usually order it as take out and bring it home so I can watch TV or something. I really enjoy eating with my boy-friend, friends or even coworkers.

I do it all the time and don't mind it at all! It really isn't that big of deal. You can always read a book or chat with a neighbor or just have some me time and people watch. I travel for work and on my own quite a bit depending on where you are people are usually friendly and will start a conversation or ask about what you are eating. I am not going to stay in just because I don't have anyone to talk to.

I travel a bit for my job, and so it is sometimes necessary. I agree with maggieleigh - I don't mind a bit for lunch, but don't necessarily enjoy it for dinner. To be honest, I am more inclined to order room service for dinner if I'm going to have to eat alone. I'm just not comfortable with it, though I really admire you ladies who relish the opportunity! Maybe I need to work on breaking down my boundaries a bit more...

I've never actually gone to a restaurant with a waitstaff and eaten alone, but I'd be interested to try it because I went to a movie alone the other day because my boyfriend doesn't enjoy movies as much as I do and it was FABULOUS. I also love shopping alone!

I eat out for lunch alone alot, I dont mind. I work at the headquarters of a company and lots of people eat alone during lunch time around here, so its not a big deal. But generally if Im eating out for dinner Im with my boyfriend or family. I dont feel sorry for people that I see eating alone, unless they are elderly...

i eat out alone for lunch at work, which i don't mind. but in general, i like to eat out with people.

I looooooove eating alone! I'll take a lunch break sometimes and go to a restaurant, or just when I've got some time to myself and want to spoil myself a bit--I'll take a book or something, and I love being able to enjoy a bit of solitude along with a nice well-prepared restaurant meal. Not to mention that eating alone allows me to eavesdrop on other people without any distractions, and make fun of them in my head!

But of course I adore eating with my fiancé even more than that, because then I have wonderful company, and someone to make fun of other people with!

I have no problem eating alone and will do so when I want to treat myself. I have enough self-confidence that I am not bothered by anyone about it. Plus, it's quite therapeutic to savor a meal alone.

When I take myself out to eat alone somewhere, I'm treating myself: Treating myself to a nice meal at a place I like and treating myself to some very rare alone time. I have a glass of wine and make it a special occasion.

Usually I eat at home alone (I moved to a city where I know don't nobody and left the bf at home). i do have a couple of freinds, but because of work I don't always get to meet up. Every once in a while I will go out alone. I feel awkward, I have to admit, but I will take a book or play with my phone. Ut;s nice to eat out regarless.

I enjoy going out to eat alone sometimes. I was at the National Gallery of Canada this summer and treated myself to lunch in the Renoir Patio, which was located by the huge glass walls which overlook Parliament Hill. I was able to take my time and enjoy a meal that was a little more pricey than a usual date. And I didn't have to feel guilty about flirting with the cute waiter.
And it's nice to just be on my own sometimes, and enjoy my own company.

I don't have a problem eating alone and I have never noticed "pity stares". I have never left my house to go to a restaurant by myself, but if I am already out shopping or doing errands, I don't have a problem eating at a nice restaurant by myself.

I dont go to restaurants often, cuz I like to cook alot, so its a social thing for me...I never go alone.

I eat out with my friends.. eating alone is for eating at home