Have you ever had the urge to just go out to dinner by yourself? Or ever had to eat alone while traveling on business? Well, if you're not the kind of person that is comfortable with dining solo, here are some tips that might help.
Click here to read more
- If you are eating out because you want to, ask to be seated at a quiet table with a view if possible
- Order a glass of wine or two, but don't over do it. It's never a pretty site to see someone drunk in his or her lonesome
- Even if you don't want to read or write, always bring a book, magazine, or notepad as a form of warding off potential conversationalists. If you don't want to be disturbed, you can always whip out your decoy to deter off potential buggers from coming over!
- If you are only eating alone because you have to, bring reading material to keep yourself occupied. Magazines and newspapers are easier to maneuver while eating since they lay flat. Bring your date book and update your calendar or open up your laptop and get some work done, and if you're on vacation, browse through a guide book, but please, leave the cell phone on vibrate or silent. There is nothing more aggravating then someone gabbing on the phone next to you at a restaurant
- If you're dining out alone for convenience or because you actually want to meet new people, ask to be seated at the bar or in the lounge area. This type of seating breeds conversation so you won't actually feel alone
Eating out alone can be quite an adventure, so even if you aren't fond of the idea, keep in mind that it's just a meal. If you have any other tips, please share them below!
Casa
Rivaldi
Herve Leger
I always bring a book if I'm eating alone!
1I love eating out alone and enjoying a good book!
2i like to eat alone sometimes
except when ppl stare at you. or
come up to hit on you.
3I don't like to eat out alone.
4I end up eating alone often, usually when traveling. I think Dear's suggestions are good...there's a big difference between when you want to be alone and when you're up for chatting with others. I think most normal people can read the vibe you put out there...
But of course there are those that can't, and they're SO annoying!! Like when you're trying to keep to yourself and somebody comes and SITS at YOUR table, or sends a drink over...like they feel sorry for you (and it's usually a middle-aged man!).
Those guys give eating alone a bad rap!
5I don't eat out alone...but I have gotten starbucks alone and sat outside enjoying it...
it wasn't pleasant...I had like 3 guys come up to me with the SAME lines:
"so where is he?"
and I'm like "who?" ...
then they go "he's late right?"
Me, "ummm no...who?"
"your boyfriend left you sitting here?"
"err...no...sorry"
that was my one and last experience ever sitting at starbucks by myself again!!! LMAO
6ahh! RUBITA! Exactly! those middle aged men who feel bad for you!! LMAO
7...Yeah, and they're usually wearing wedding bands too!!
Come on though, those Starbucks guys need to layoff...it's a cafe! Women have every right to get a COFFEE without being pestered by losers.
8If I'm eating alone somewhere I usually bring a book or magazine. Otherwise you're just staring into space!
9hahah yeah i know! just cuz I'm sitting outside at a table by myself enjoying my starbucks doesn't mean I've been stood up by my boyfriend!!! LMAO (who would never do that to me anyways =P)
so it's happened to others? LOL
10I used to go to the Astor Place B&N to get a sandwich and a drink in-between classes and I would usually sit and read magazines. This one guy who was also a regular ALWAYS hit on me and made me really uncomfortable because he was like 50 yrs old. Actually, I had all kinds of weirdos asking me out at that same B&N so I don't go there much anymore.
11Such a shame. I hate it when ppl assume that just because you're by yourself it's fair game to talk to you. I just want to be ALONE sometimes and read my goddamn fashion magazines in peace!
This was a nice read, especially since I have a job that travels a lot. Luckily I've managed to avoid eating out alone, but it's bound to happen sometime soon. The magazine/book as a decoy to ward off potential suitors is a nice idea, but I'd bring along something to read just because I like to read while I eat!
12i have been so afraid of eating alone ever since i was little! i don't really know why. maybe cuz i don't want poeple starting at me! but i know i am going to do it sometime cuz i travel alot more now! so these tips will really help me out!
13I love eating alone. Its relaxing and gives you time to think. I don't make a habit out of it though for the reasons in the comments above.
14it's HARD to eat and read at the same time. i guess i'm just too clumsy or whatnot, but something ALWAYS gets in the book, whethere it's a greasy thumb, or condensation from my water glass when i pick it up that drops onto the pages. i dunno how you guys do it. now eating with my laptop (thankYOU panera for the FREE wifi) is a COMPLETELY different story. i guess since my comp is always pushed way back and the books stays right under my nose makes all the difference.
15I usually HATE eating out alone and NEVER do it...but the one time I forced myself to do it out of boredom in a new city...I ended up meeting some great people and somehow managed getting a job from one of the guys I met! You never know what can happen!
16I recently ate alone at subway.... so i whipped out the Ipod
17I'd eat alone at a cafe or something but not where people normally go on dates or out with friends.
18I hate eating out alone but sometimes I just have to..
19I am sorry, that is the one thing I refuse to ever do. I am not talking about sitting alone at Starbucks or anything like that but there is no way in hell I would eat out alone in like a real restaurant. I just don't have the guts to do so because as much as you try to appear like you aren't some lonely sad person, everyone sitting around you will think so. Sorry just not my thing, call me insecure but I could never eat alone in a restaurant.
20Plus why even put yourself through that when every restaurant offers take-out.
21lol, no one i know would think that! every mom i know thinks it is the most wonderful thing to go out to eat ALONE. to order whatever you want without having to explain to your kids why mommy doesn't have to eat her veggies, not have anyone wanting to share what you are eating, not have to have anyone on your lap, get up a million times to go to the bathroom, eat in a rush because they are bored or acting up, etc. trust me, lonely is the farthest thing from it. i find that very funny though. i guess it's all in what you have going on in your life. someday you might rember this and it will give you a laugh.
22I actually really enjoy eating out alone - Good people watching, etc. The key is to look confident and not like you are lonely. Alone is not lonely is my motto.
23i ♥♥♥ to eat alooone!!! plus wit some aweseome upbeat kinda music on!
my fav!!! 
cuz wen im eating wit ppl they open ter mouths and u can see all the mashed up food in ter mouth and ter talking and then they spit, and ur likeing hoping ooo god i hope ter spit wont come in2 my food..and IT DOESSS!!! ughh! EWWWWWWWWWWW!! i sooo hate it!! and i just lose my appetite... -_- and then im like the last person 2 finish up eating...not coool. >:| and i just 2 think 2 myself...if i ate alone...i would have finished by now..ugh!
besides eating by ur self is sooo much better, cuz ur alone wit the ur dinner or watever and u can take ur time and eat ur food..without having 2 eat fast 2 hang wit ur friends, or having 2 hav ur friends to wait on u.
cuz ur a slow eater. 
lol.
24I've eaten alone a few times...and usually I read the paper or a book and listen to music.
25I was so scared of it and so I made myself do it and I actually really enjoyed it. I walked to an indoor/outdoor cafe and they seated me on the corner of the front porch. I brought a book with me (essential) and ordered a big bowl of chopped fruit. No one stared at me and if they did I never would've known because I was reading.
26great tips! thank you so much pop.. I was always so nervous about going out.. I'd pull out my cell phone and start texting.. and that wasn't healthy lol =)
27I'll try these! Thanks.
I love eating alone. It's a great time to read! However, I've never tried it at a "nicer" restaurant. I would feel weird whipping out a book there. Movies alone are fun too. However, going to a concert alone -- not fun!
28I hate eating alone! I'm a really social person and can't really be alone for too long....something I need to get over I know!!
29I love eating out alone, and I love when people go eat out alone. I waitress, so it's nice to have someone come out on their own... I noticed lone diners tend to be quite friendly, less demanding, and they make me WANT to wait on them! I guess it has something to do with the fact that if you're confident enough to eat out alone, then you must be comfortable in your skin enough not to make your waitress' life a living hell!
30I've only eat alone a few times. I find it hard and awkward sometimes. Lately though since my girlfriend is not with me and we usually eat out together, I really don't have a hard time eating alone. I actually have a hard time eating with other people sometimes because i just don't feel the same. When I do eat alone I don't bring a book or newpaper... I usually people watch!! I find it fun and soothing.
31I used to have to eat alone all the time when I was traveling for work, and although I didn't mind it, the restaurant staffs sure did! They just could NOT deal with it--sometimes I had to ask to be seated, and they'd say, "Oh we thought you must be waiting for someone..." then they'd act like I should be ashamed or something...uh, sorry I don't know anyone here in a town I've never been to, but I still need to eat! Maybe it's a Midwestern thing that it freaks people out so much.
32I am all for going out to eat by myself. I have done it many times. When i travel though, I tend to get food to go and take it back to the hotel and watch tv. But I will go out and eat by myself around my hometown. I usually do on Fridays. I people watch and my friend works at the place I eat at.
33Yes I do it and I love it. I suggest every woman to do it. I think it's good to do it were no one espects you to be found. That way you can be in peace and reflect on a lot of personal things, without interruptions from people that really don't want to talk with anyway. Never tell anyone where you are really going when you want to be alone.
34i am very shy to eat out let alone being alone lol
35I think people who have a problem eating out alone are interesting. The co-dependency gets to be too much for me, sometimes I just want to be alone.
36Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.