Questions for people who've gone out to eat alone

[Anonymous]

New job requires travel, so I'm going to be frequently eating in my hotel room, however, I'm not entirely opposed to eating out alone. For those of you who do it:

1. You sit at the bar, right? Do you walk in and walk out if the bar has no seats and/or the bar only has one open seat, which means you have to squeeze in tightly between two groups? I think I'd be deeply uncomfortable eating with randoms that close to me on both sides.

2. What do you do if the bar has no TV? I assume with or without TV, you just play on your phone most of the time? And if no TV, you basically play on your phone the entire time? If there's a TV, at least you can look up and let it occupy chunks of your time.

3. Do you tend to eat really quickly when alone? While you're eating, and in-between bites, do you look around or look straight ahead? I don't see any reason to pause, I think I'd just hoover up my food and quickly pay.

4. Sort of related to 3, do you give you credit card when you order to speed up cashing out and your exit?

[Anonymous]

I sit at a table. If I travel for work I am craving alone time, so I sit alone at a booth or table.

I usually bring my laptop and ask for the WiFi password but my phone works too.

I pay at the end like regular.

[Anonymous]

1) I sit wherever they seat me, be it at a bar or at a two top alone.
2) I don't normally watch TV, but yes I look at my phone, or bring a book, or look around.
3) I eat at a regular pace. Sometimes I look around. You're paying to be there so why not enjoy it?
4) No.

I think you're overthinking this — no one is looking at you, and even if they are, so what? You'll only see them once.

[Anonymous]

Your questions seem to indicate an embarrassment around eating alone. First of all, business travel ends up like this constantly so everyone will assume the exact truth. Second, eating alone during work travel is my greatest joy. I straight up go for tasting menus. I always eat at the bar, I’ll bring a book, notebook for thoughts, and a phone. I usually end up chit chatting with someone. But get real comfy and enjoy myself. What a luxury. Get the most expensive glass of wine! Work is paying!

[Anonymous]

I sit at the bar if possible. No you don't hoover your food in as fast as possible. Eat at a normal pace like a human. I pay at the end the same as I would when eating with others. Why do you think you need to rush to get out of there? It's perfectly normal to eat a meal alone. No one cares.

[Anonymous]

I sit at the bar if possible, but I will sit at a table. I usually bring a book. Otherwise I eat normally, but I normally eat pretty fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) I sit wherever they seat me, be it at a bar or at a two top alone.
2) I don't normally watch TV, but yes I look at my phone, or bring a book, or look around.
3) I eat at a regular pace. Sometimes I look around. You're paying to be there so why not enjoy it?
4) No.

I think you're overthinking this — no one is looking at you, and even if they are, so what? You'll only see them once.

^This. And I have never met a man who felt this way, only women

I'm a man who travels a lot. I recommend the following
Go where you want. Sit where you want. Be chatty with a server or your bar neighbor or be quiet. Choose or don't choose a place with a TV depending on your mood. Take a book if you like or don't. It's a nice time to do whatever you like, then go back to the hotel and go to bed early.

[Anonymous]

I either sit at a bar or table depending on how busy it is or how I'm feeling. If it is one of those bars that's tightly packed, I'll wait for a table.

I scroll through my phone, read a book on my Kindle app, read DCUM. I can always find something to read on my phone.

I eat at a regular pace.

No, I pay normally.

[Anonymous]

I don’t mean to be rude but you’re overthinking this. But to humor you: I tend to eat at the bar, eat at a normal pace, and will read a magazine or my phone if no TV. It can also be fun to chit chat with other bar patrons. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Are you an actual adult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your questions seem to indicate an embarrassment around eating alone. First of all, business travel ends up like this constantly so everyone will assume the exact truth. Second, eating alone during work travel is my greatest joy. I straight up go for tasting menus. I always eat at the bar, I’ll bring a book, notebook for thoughts, and a phone. I usually end up chit chatting with someone. But get real comfy and enjoy myself. What a luxury. Get the most expensive glass of wine! Work is paying!

I'd say more-so anxiety than embarrassment. I have zero anxiety about eating at a nearly empty bar with a TV. Not that I care about whatever sport is probably playing, but it's something to keep you occupied. Eating at a super busy bar with randoms on top of me on both sides, with no TV, I don't think I'm interested in that at all. Also no TV and randoms immediately next to me on both sides means they can see everything I'm doing on my phone, which seems creepy and invasive. And a high likelihood they'll try to talk to me. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sit at the bar if possible. No you don't hoover your food in as fast as possible. Eat at a normal pace like a human. I pay at the end the same as I would when eating with others. Why do you think you need to rush to get out of there? It's perfectly normal to eat a meal alone. No one cares.

Why take your time if you're alone? Unless you're actively really into a live sports game on one of their TVs, why would you take your time? Dinner only takes a long time when you're all catching up and chatting with others. I don't know what would organically extend a dinner by yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to be rude but you’re overthinking this. But to humor you: I tend to eat at the bar, eat at a normal pace, and will read a magazine or my phone if no TV. It can also be fun to chit chat with other bar patrons. Have fun!

I have no interest in this. And would actually hope to avoid this.

[Anonymous]

^People watching. Enjoying an atmosphere. Enjoying a view. Enjoying the weather. Lots of reasons.

And regarding the phone thing. Your bar neighbor does not care what you're looking at on your phone.

[Anonymous]

Do you tend to over-tip when alone? I feel like I'd try to tip 30% just to make up for feeling awkward and dorky. I'm sorry, I'm just being honest. And I guess to try and make up for being only a table of 1 instead of a far more profitable table of 2 to 4.