Eating out alone

[TikiGoddess]

How does everyone feel about eating out alone? I was listening to a WDW podcast and they were talking about people feeling weird going to table service restaurants by themselves.

I've never had that problem... I'll go to any type of restaurant -- whether it be WDW or not -- and not feel self conscious. I actually like spending time alone, especially after a long week of dealing with family and work.

Thoughts?
Kathy

[faline]

Although I'm usually with others at Disney World, I often dine alone and feel fine about it!

[pianobabe]

Eating out by myself is one of my favorite things to do. I always have my book to read and I just sit there eating and enjoying my alone time. It is something I treasure.

[c&d]

The hardest part for me is walking in the door. Once I'm seated I'm fine.

I have to travel to Hawaii on business once and I was seated at a really nice table and really enjoyed just people watching and being alone.

[Ed]

Personally, I hate it.

When I'm alone, I'm much more likely to eat at a counter service fast-food joint or just snack on the run.

[diz_girl]

I don't have a problem with this at all, especially after making a few solo business trips. Women seem to have more of a problem with this than men. The stigma that if you were eating alone then you were obviously single, still exists to some degree. But I love to eat out alone, especially since becoming a mother. Not that I don't love my son, but I need some alone time and I love to be able to eat a meal in peace. If I see seomeone eating alone, I think that they are either on their way to/from somewhere or on a business trip or are just enjoying a meal alone.

Anyway, if someone is really judging you for eating alone, then they probably are very insecure about eating alone themselves.

But I don't think that I've ever dined alone at WDW, since I'm always with family. But if I did, I would be fine with it, especially since there are many people traveling on business at the multiple WDW convention centers.

[DizneyRox]

Often the company is better when you're solo... I wouldn't give it a second though.

[Dragongirlx]

I don't mind eating alone and have done it lots of times though never at disney world. As long as I have a book with me I am happy

[meldan98]

I actually really enjoy doing things by myself, I always have. I love my family and spending time with friends, but there are times when I just need some "me" time. When I lived by myself after college, I would escape to the mall, have dinner and go to a movie. I loved having that down time to get away from everything and everybody. A few years ago, I had to travel quite a bit for my job and would be in one location for 2-3 weeks. I found that while many times I would prefer to sit by myself at a table. When I was in the south, I always got really weird responses. There would be times where I would sit at the bar and eat my dinner, so I could chat with the staff. I got to meet some really interesting people. One bartender I met had actually just returned from filming a Judge Judy episode. When I traveled to WA, I was always seated in the bar by the host. I was actually never given an option to sit at a regular table.

[SBETigg]

I'm really fond of my own company, but I don't eat out alone. I've only done takeout on my own. It's just nicer to be at home all comfortable when I'm on my own. I don't travel to places like WDW solo. (so far, not ruling it out, just prefer to have company there).

[murphy1]

As one who has had to travel in the past for a lot of jobs, this never was an issue. I am happy with a group of just me.

[Scar]

There would be times where I would sit at the bar and eat my dinner, so I could chat with the staff.

This is what I do and have never felt uncomfortable. Watch TV is there is one, chat with the bardender if they're not too busy, the patron next to you, or just read a newspaper or book. I can't remember ever sitting at a table alone.

[kakn7294]

I don't ever eat alone but that doesn't mean I would have a problem with it. It simply means that I don't get much "alone time". I think that once in a while, it would be enjoyable!

[MNNHFLTX]

It hasn't happened very often, but I don't mind eating alone at a restaurant at all.

[Georgesgirl1]

I used to be really weird about not doing anything by myself. I wouldn't even go to the grocery store to pick up milk on my own. Once I graduated from college though, I got over it. Now I truly enjoy being by myself. I don't at all mind going out to eat and bringing a good book to read at the table.

[citizensnoopy]

I actually really enjoy doing things by myself, I always have. I love my family and spending time with friends, but there are times when I just need some "me" time. When I lived by myself after college, I would escape to the mall, have dinner and go to a movie. I loved having that down time to get away from everything and everybody.

This sounds like me to a T. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, but I require a lot of personal time. I frequently go to the movies or out to dinner alone, and I love it. This isn't to say that I don't also enjoy doing these activities with friends and family, but sometimes my favorite company is myself.

[Scar]

Watch TV is there is one, chat with the bardender

Sorry, I just recently started to need reading glasses and I'm just not in the habit of using them all the time yet.

[BrerGnat]

I think people who don't like eating alone are just more social than those who don't have a problem with it. Or, more co-dependent, I guess.

I have NO issue with it, but I'm one of the few people I know (including my DH) that feels that way.

I've even taken a solo trip to WDW and ate alone for FOUR DAYS. Gasp!!! I actually love to eat in peace. What I don't "get" is talking and socializing while eating. I don't like having distractions while I eat. I'll socialize over drinks, but when I'm eating, I want to be eating!

As a mom of special needs kids, I NEVER actually get to enjoy any of the meals I eat at home (always eating standing up at the counter or getting up several times during the meal to get things for the kids). When we go out as a family, I'm more focused on keeping the kids entertained and well behaved, and I end up inhaling my food in about 5 min before we leave.

I take EVERY chance I can get to go out to eat alone!

[Ian]

Personally, I hate it.

When I'm alone, I'm much more likely to eat at a counter service fast-food joint or just snack on the run.

I don't know why, but I'm not very comfortable eating out by myself.

[Dznygrl79]

I am a social butterfly but after my divorce I prefer my own company. The first trip I took after was to Disney and I thought wow sitting by myself weird but I found I had a wonderful time (and I chatted up the waiter!). Since I have gone out by myself a lot. I think it has its advantages I can be as leisurly as I want, I don't bring a book though I like that idea...I usually use the time after ordering before the food arrives to review photos or check my messages (its not rude if you don't have company imho). Enjoy it, alone time is golden time!