Do you mind eating alone in a restaurant?

I wonder if it's the difference between the UK and the US & Canada..

American people are very confident generally speaking.. whereas the opposite is the case in the UK...

Not to say we're all shrinking violets, that's definitely not the case.. but we don't have that easy confidence that Americans are well known for..
 
For me, it depends on the place. If it’s one of those expensive, trendy specialty restaurants where practically everyone is with someone, I feel like I’m standing out, and am uncomfortable. I tend to frequent diners where the solitary customer is more common, the food is home style, and if you’re lucky they’re playing classic rock music. Brown gravy flows like water, and the waitress might call you “Honey,” but we’ll forgive her… 🙄
 

hollydolly said:
I wonder if it's the difference between the UK and the US & Canada..

American people are very confident generally speaking.. whereas the opposite is the case in the UK...

Not to say we're all shrinking violets, that's definitely not the case.. but we don't have that easy confidence that Americans are well known for..
Click to expand...
Maybe that is because the Americans you meet are well traveled. My confidence varies depending on the comfort of a given situation.
 
I avoid it, but I think my discomfort comes from my ex. She had waitressed in high school and part of her college years and this sort of thing annoyed her.

The space use is inefficient, tips tend to be far lower, etc. so both waitresses and bosses really didn't like seating singles at a table. The feeling was that this is why they provided a lunch counter and stools: for single diners in less formal restaurants.
 
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Most of the time I eat alone it’s at home. More so these days as fewer single women in my area bring over casseroles to feed me. I guess they lose the desire to cook for a man as they get older. :) Now I have to cook for them.

90% of the time I eat out it’s when I am traveling. I usually travel with family or in a group setting.
 
I ate alone on the job over the years alot. But work is different.

I do not like eating alone without ms gamboolgal. In fact, if she is out and about I will usually not eat and wait until she gets home.

When we would go to visit #1 Daughter in Austin, sometimes I would not do all the Mother/Daughter stuff and i would eat out alone. I do not like it. Sometimes, I would see a young family and I would get to thinking of ms gamboolgal and I being young and struggling. A couple of times, I would anonymously pay for their meals.

ms gamboolgal knows I am lost without her....

One day, God willing, I hope to cross over the Jordan first and be waiting for her on the other side...
 
I hate it, except at fast food places where I eat quickly and leave. So I don't dine out
generally, except on solo vacations when I have to. Self-conscious, impatient, unpleasant.
I watch others. Interesting that middle age couples have sparse conversation, look bored.
Dining alone is a stigma...sign of loners, the anomaly, like an interloper at someone's party.
 

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