Do you eat out alone? ???

I do eat alone sometimes, I’m widowed 20 yrs.Its great to watch others, don’t be sorry for yourself treat it as a new hobby! Sometimes better than sharing a meal with someone who’s hard going !

It's not a problem to be seen out eating or drinking on your own in this day and age. If you eat out locally you soon get to know other locals who may also be alone and can get to know each other if you do fancy company. Maybe your friend just lacks the confidence to do it's

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I'm happy to eat out alone, or have coffee at lunchtime and I often do. But for some reason I can't do it in the evening! Recently for the first time ever I went to the cinema and theatre alone and really enjoyed both occasions . It was in the day though.

I don't mind a coffee and cake at a garden centre or a department store cafe but I wouldn't go out on my own in the evening as I would find it unpleasant.

Many years ago I took lunch at a cafe and the waiter was so over attentive it was embarrassing. Thankfully due to the dearth of free chairs a couple of ladies came to sit with me. That felt much better.

Also took lunch at a church after seeing an exhibition there. A lady came and sat with me when she saw that I was alone and I was grateful for her kindness and her company. I hate to eat out alone - late husband and I really enjoyed that sort of thing together so being alone feels particularly horrible for me.

I don't understand why reading when alone in a restaurant looks desperate!! Can someone explain this?

I read during meals at home - my companion does not converse, and I don't watch tv - a book combats any boredom or loneliness. I have no problem eating alone anywhere, any time, and certainly not about reading while eating.

When young, reading when alone in public was a problem, as men would often try asking what I was reading, in an attempt to get my attention. Fortunately this is no longer the case!

Sometimes you can feel more alone when you are eating out with OH than if you were on your own!

Interesting question Urmstongran.
I am happy to have lunch in a cafe or restaurant on my own and probably a nice pub too (now I think about it).
Not so sure about supper in the evening.

When I have been away with work, if on my own, I have invariably had room service and a glass of wine and watched TV or prepared the work for the next day.

Before I was housebound I was happy to eat out alone. When on package holidays abroad I never ate in the restaurant recommended by the courier. I would find one patronised by the locals. Often had interesting conversations.

I am more than happy to eat in a cafe or restaurant on my own. Definitely don't take a book as I also like to people watch.
I enjoy going to museums/galleries and to sit down for a well earned rest with a nice cuppa or a glass of wine. Bliss!

I often go out on my own as no close friends. I'm a bit of a loner even go on holiday by myself you can please yourself and there is always someone to chat to if you want to if not have a book or magazine if you wish to be aline

I don't now and have never enjoyed eating out alone in the evening but used to often at lunch time. I did share a flat with a girl once though who was horrified at the idea. She was one of those people who didn't see the point of getting a passport so not exactly adventureous.

Yes I do quite often. The first time I did I took a book. Now I have books on my phone. I would never eat out if I didn't go alone. I have friends who say they couldn't. There is a new vegan restaurant in Ely that I am going to try...looking forward to that.

Yes at a lunchtime or early evening meal.

I have done, most recently when doing some preliminary house hunting for a dd - more than once in a nice cosy, old fashioned pub. (Usually needed the loo first!). But I always needed something to read at the same time. Would buy a paper or a charity shop book for the purpose.

Also occasionally if doing a prolonged shop, no problem eating in a cafe or dept. store ditto, but I wouldn't eat in a proper restaurant alone in the evening unless I absolutely had to.

I used to eat out alone quite regularly, lunchtime and early evening without any bother, but haven't done so for a number of years , until recently.
I had to stay overnight three times near a university to attend a weekend course; the first time I stayed with a companion; the second time on my own when I ate in the hotel restaurant with a book for company. The meal was protracted with lengthy waits between courses and little attention from the waiters. The third time I ate in the bar, which was far more pleasant as the staff were friendly and chatty, but I ate my meal more quickly and spent the rest of the evening preparing for the course watching Red Nose Day festivities in my room.

Years ago when I had no choice but to eat out alone (or get room service) ... I used to get approached by men also away with work etc because it wasn’t the done thing in those days for women to eat/drink alone. These days it’s totally different and I also like to have a book or magazine handy ... and of course remember at our ages we’re mostly invisible anyway !! ?

I would have no compunction about eating out on my own but I don't enjoy eating out. The portions are always too big and Ifeel bloated and uncomfortable after a few bites.

If I was near home I wouldn't see the point, and if I was away I would buy a sandwich and eat it in my room.

A cup of tea and a scone on my own - any time!

Yes, I have done.
I have been away for short breaks and been to concerts on my own too and have been so surprised how helpful and friendly some people can be - even to having a group of 20 somethings insisting on escorting me to my hotel as well as fetching drinks for me during the concert, when they found out I was on my own!
As far as meals are concerned, Certainly when I'm away, I have had meals on my own. If I have the choice of where I can sit, I'll choose a table at the edge of the room - I find that if I am seated by staff, you often get put at a table in the middle of the room!
I'm a people watcher so have a great time just watching others - often other people will ask to sit on the spare seats , and have chatted to many people - often to find they live not far from me!

What Riverwalk said.
I enjoy sitting in a cafè alone, people watching.

Witchypoo, take it slow. Perhaps try a few smaller cafes and things first. Then graduate to larger restaurants. Myself, I go to pubs and restaurants by myself or with family. If I am alone, I always have a book or Kindle with me. I dont think it is as unusual for women now, as it used to be. I have friends who also eat out alone. For those who are thinking about it , honestly it's ok once you begin. I go to theatre, cinema etc on my own, it's either that or miss out. Not everyone shares my taste in things.

No problem at all but not accompanied by a book!

Yes, I do. Not the full blown dinner experience but I have no problem during the day. Have my phone to hand so that I can read the paper or even come in here and browse. People are too busy with the themselves to bother about what you are doing. We are all the star in our own show!

I probably would have done at one time but my confidence took a knock after a mini-stroke nearly 2 years ago as it's always been on my mind that it could happen again.

I certainly don't live my life as a misery, far from it and it annoys me when I think of how I used to be " up for anything ".
I still do everything that age allows but I don't go very far distance-wise but being as I enjoy cooking and baking I'm happy to eat alone as I have done for over 25 years.

No problem for me. If I wanted to eat and was on my own it wouldn’t bother me in the least to eat alone. I wouldn’t give it a second thought, why on earth not?