Questions for people who've gone out to eat alone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what you guys are failing to realize is that OP is an LA 10 and is HIGHLY magnetic. Put yourself in her shoes for a minute, trying to buy a plate of spaghetti in Milwaukee.

Haha. I'm going to try it, I'm just pepping myself up to do it. But I honestly just don't see how it's enjoyable to sit there alone. I don't drink, so I don't sip cocktails or wine before dinner. I doubt the food is going to be THAT much better straight from the kitchen versus diving in after a five minute walk to my hotel room.

Thanks for wasting our time.

[Anonymous]

I meet so many interesting people dining solo.

[Anonymous]

You sound like a recluse troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what you guys are failing to realize is that OP is an LA 10 and is HIGHLY magnetic. Put yourself in her shoes for a minute, trying to buy a plate of spaghetti in Milwaukee.

Haha. I'm going to try it, I'm just pepping myself up to do it. But I honestly just don't see how it's enjoyable to sit there alone. I don't drink, so I don't sip cocktails or wine before dinner. I doubt the food is going to be THAT much better straight from the kitchen versus diving in after a five minute walk to my hotel room.

Well you can get takeout and double fist your lukewarm food Hoover style back in your room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I never sit at the bar. Because I don't drink. I only order ice water.

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.

See #1, but I don't use my phone during meals (except at the end to calculate the tip) - I bring a book. If I were you traveling, I'd bring a Kindle or iPad or whatever to read.

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.

I just eat normally. I am not ashamed of eating alone. I eat at a normal pace and read. If there is interesting people-watching I'll look, but generally people are boring so I ignore for the most part.

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

No. There's NO RUSH. I am not eating at some packed restaurant where people are waiting 45 minutes for a table.

Thank you. Yes, I'm overthinking! Sorry for a probing question: Do you still read on your iPad after your food has arrived? Like you're eating with dominant hand and swiping and scrolling with the other hand? Or do you put away the reading device when the main course arrives? I guess I still don't get how to pace myself while dining alone. When you're out eating conversation happens between bites. I don't know what you're doing if you pause while solo, which suggests, to me, I'd just eat super quickly.

[Anonymous]

Why is this such a big deal to you, OP? Have you honestly never gone to Chipotle by yourself? If not, you need to start doing things alone. This job will be good for you. And if so, going to a nicer restaurant is the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I never sit at the bar. Because I don't drink. I only order ice water.

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.

See #1, but I don't use my phone during meals (except at the end to calculate the tip) - I bring a book. If I were you traveling, I'd bring a Kindle or iPad or whatever to read.

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.

I just eat normally. I am not ashamed of eating alone. I eat at a normal pace and read. If there is interesting people-watching I'll look, but generally people are boring so I ignore for the most part.

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

No. There's NO RUSH. I am not eating at some packed restaurant where people are waiting 45 minutes for a table.

Thank you. Yes, I'm overthinking! Sorry for a probing question: Do you still read on your iPad after your food has arrived? Like you're eating with dominant hand and swiping and scrolling with the other hand? Or do you put away the reading device when the main course arrives? I guess I still don't get how to pace myself while dining alone. When you're out eating conversation happens between bites. I don't know what you're doing if you pause while solo, which suggests, to me, I'd just eat super quickly.

I eat with my dominant hand and fiddle myself with the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I never sit at the bar. Because I don't drink. I only order ice water.

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.

See #1, but I don't use my phone during meals (except at the end to calculate the tip) - I bring a book. If I were you traveling, I'd bring a Kindle or iPad or whatever to read.

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.

I just eat normally. I am not ashamed of eating alone. I eat at a normal pace and read. If there is interesting people-watching I'll look, but generally people are boring so I ignore for the most part.

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

No. There's NO RUSH. I am not eating at some packed restaurant where people are waiting 45 minutes for a table.

Thank you. Yes, I'm overthinking! Sorry for a probing question: Do you still read on your iPad after your food has arrived? Like you're eating with dominant hand and swiping and scrolling with the other hand? Or do you put away the reading device when the main course arrives? I guess I still don't get how to pace myself while dining alone. When you're out eating conversation happens between bites. I don't know what you're doing if you pause while solo, which suggests, to me, I'd just eat super quickly.

I eat with my dominant hand and fiddle myself with the other.

PSA, you're doing it backwards.

Also, Rita, is that you?

[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.

These are basically my exact answers. It’s nbd. The hostess will put you where she needs you to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I never sit at the bar. Because I don't drink. I only order ice water.

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.

See #1, but I don't use my phone during meals (except at the end to calculate the tip) - I bring a book. If I were you traveling, I'd bring a Kindle or iPad or whatever to read.

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.

I just eat normally. I am not ashamed of eating alone. I eat at a normal pace and read. If there is interesting people-watching I'll look, but generally people are boring so I ignore for the most part.

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

No. There's NO RUSH. I am not eating at some packed restaurant where people are waiting 45 minutes for a table.

Thank you. Yes, I'm overthinking! Sorry for a probing question: Do you still read on your iPad after your food has arrived? Like you're eating with dominant hand and swiping and scrolling with the other hand? Or do you put away the reading device when the main course arrives? I guess I still don't get how to pace myself while dining alone. When you're out eating conversation happens between bites. I don't know what you're doing if you pause while solo, which suggests, to me, I'd just eat super quickly.

I eat with my dominant hand and fiddle myself with the other.

PSA, you're doing it backwards.

Also, Rita, is that you?

Opposite hand makes you feel like its someone else...

[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!

+1!! Love eating alone. Order what you want. Don’t have to chit chat with anyone. Bring a book or I might read long form articles on my phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I never sit at the bar. Because I don't drink. I only order ice water.

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.

See #1, but I don't use my phone during meals (except at the end to calculate the tip) - I bring a book. If I were you traveling, I'd bring a Kindle or iPad or whatever to read.

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.

I just eat normally. I am not ashamed of eating alone. I eat at a normal pace and read. If there is interesting people-watching I'll look, but generally people are boring so I ignore for the most part.

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

No. There's NO RUSH. I am not eating at some packed restaurant where people are waiting 45 minutes for a table.

Thank you. Yes, I'm overthinking! Sorry for a probing question: Do you still read on your iPad after your food has arrived? Like you're eating with dominant hand and swiping and scrolling with the other hand? Or do you put away the reading device when the main course arrives? I guess I still don't get how to pace myself while dining alone. When you're out eating conversation happens between bites. I don't know what you're doing if you pause while solo, which suggests, to me, I'd just eat super quickly.

If I’m reading a book, I weight it down with something and read while I eat. If it’s a screen, I’d scroll with my non dominant hand. A magazine works best, because I don’t care if it gets messy and it doesn’t need to be weighted down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Then why would you hope to only sit at the bar?? Sitting at the bar alone invites way more conversation than asking for a table for 1. Signed, I have eaten alone many times throughout my life and always prefer a table.

See, I genuinely didn't know this unspoken rule. News to me!

And I figured being solo and taking up a table, likely meant for 4, is super rude to the restaurant and server!

If you want to stop being anxious, start by not apologizing for existing. If you're alone and you need to eat, you are allowed to sit at a table and order a meal and eat it at a normal pace. That's what restaurants are for. It's not rude to anyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I never sit at the bar. Because I don't drink. I only order ice water.

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.

See #1, but I don't use my phone during meals (except at the end to calculate the tip) - I bring a book. If I were you traveling, I'd bring a Kindle or iPad or whatever to read.

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.

I just eat normally. I am not ashamed of eating alone. I eat at a normal pace and read. If there is interesting people-watching I'll look, but generally people are boring so I ignore for the most part.

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

No. There's NO RUSH. I am not eating at some packed restaurant where people are waiting 45 minutes for a table.

Thank you. Yes, I'm overthinking! Sorry for a probing question: Do you still read on your iPad after your food has arrived? Like you're eating with dominant hand and swiping and scrolling with the other hand? Or do you put away the reading device when the main course arrives? I guess I still don't get how to pace myself while dining alone. When you're out eating conversation happens between bites. I don't know what you're doing if you pause while solo, which suggests, to me, I'd just eat super quickly.

How do you function in life? Do you never eat alone even at home?

Take a bite chew pause then repeat. Or lift you plate up and shovel it all in at once. No chewing at all your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a weird question. I eat alone 99% of the time when I go out. It’s not difficult.

It doesn't seem enjoyable in any way, if I'm being honest. Plus yes, it makes me anxious. I'm sure the food probably tastes slightly better than boxed up, but if your hotel is super close by, probably not that much worse than piping hot from the kitchen.

I guess it’s a personality thing. I’d rather sit alone than have to talk to some tedious person.