Comments on: Reader Question: Dining Alone?

By: Leigh

Leigh — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:09:24 +0000

I travel extensively and most of the time grab a qwik bite at a drive thru or breakfast usually is served at the Hotel.
Since I work for a restaurant chain–and no one doesnt wish to eat there ALL the time I go out to a nice place for dinner once in awhile, At first one feels uncomfortable, however,I take this opportunity to introduce myself to either the staff or owner/operator.

When it comes right down to it…..no one else cares that we are eating “alone” we are the ones that do! So enjoy!

By: Kiki Maraschino

Kiki Maraschino — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:21:48 +0000

I also see a big difference between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Only dinner can be uncomfortable and only at fancy places. I am aggressively friendly, so I often chat with employees when they are not busy, and sometimes other diners. Now that I am writing blogs, I usually occupy myself by observing everything and composing my blogs in my head.

By: Tyrese

Tyrese — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:22:51 +0000

u kno jus go ahead n do it man. it real nothin onec u sit down u kno what i mean. cuz u kno the foods is comin and the smell is all around u right? its all about eatin, cuz all ur worries just go away once ur foods come!

Tyrese

By: H.C.

H.C. — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:58:42 +0000

I’d wager half my dining excursions (particularly first-time at pricier places that I would feel bad for dragging my friends to if it were a miss) are dining alone experiences.

The bar & the book are good strategies (as well as non-dinners, which tend to have shorter lag times). I usually bring along a BlackBerry too to catch up on news & to scribble notes about the place.

It’s also a good opportunity to break out your organizer and clean up your schedules & plans.

By: D

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:50:55 +0000

I love a good restraunt and the only thing that would discourage me from eating alone at one is if it was a “romantic” atmosphere OR a “brunch” type of place. I’ve done everything from a cafe to an elegant restraunt. My security blanket is my book, but you can always put it down and chit-chat with others if the mood strikes you. If you feel uncomfortable with where they seat you, by all means ask them to move you. You are there to ENJOY yourself so make sure YOU are COMFORTABLE! :)

By: Mom

Mom — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:08:12 +0000

I agree that lunching alone is pretty basic. I find dinner alone is pretty undaunting as well - for the most part. It is a bit of an adventure. I try to take command of the situation by asking to be seated at a table or in an area that appeals to me - by a window if available. I usually bring along a small sketch book where I might doodle, or list, or write a quick note to self or others. I might bring a magazine or book in some settings. It has been my experience that I often get special attention from wait staff and it is usually possibly to enlist them as a partner in seeing to it that I enjoy myself. I find myself open to conversations with other diners and sort of enjoy the thought that they might be thinking something like “why is that woman dining alone?”. Realistically, they probably hardly notice!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:53:55 +0000

Eating lunch alone is nice, its a good change to try some place that you have not been without taking any changes someone else not liking it. I will often go get lunch alone often I will pick up one of those free local papers and read.

I have had dinner alone usually I will go some place smaller or with a counter (I like good burger once in awhile, those places usually have a counter).

By: Jonah

Jonah — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:19:34 +0000

p.s. The Nook Bistro is a good place to dine alone, either at the bar or the communal table.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:17:37 +0000

For lunches, I enjoy eating alone, it’s a nice time to get out of the office and preferrably I can find somewhere outside to sit. Overall, lunching alone is pretty basic, I usually bring some reading material.

Dinner is a little different, especially for a formal restaurant. If there is a bar, as suggested above, that’s a good place to sit. I have a friend who eats at places like Ortalon on Third street all the time by himself, one thing he likes is that he also doesn’t feel obligated to order a huge meal.

If there isn’t a bar, I just sit at a table, although at a very nice place, I would feel a little ackward. When I am on business travel, I don’t mind so much because I don’t really have a choice. I still usually bring something to read and feel a little uneasy or exposed if I am just sitting there staring at my water glass.

It’s funny because when I see someone dining alone, I start to think “how sad…” but then I remember that I love eating alone and might even be eating alone right at that moment.

By: amie

amie — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:11:54 +0000

There are certain places I’ll eat at alone, like Whole Foods on my lunch hour or The Coffee Table. Cafe type places and usually only for lunch. I generally just stare into space and divert my eyes from people so that I am not forced into airplane conversation with anyone.