do you ever go to restaurants by yourself?

[Tomasso]

I don't like sitting at the bar, as Tomasso stated, but it's only because the people sitting next to me are usually obnoxious and animated. Thus, I typically request a booth in some dark corner and I bring a book or newspaper.

That behavior can happen at tables as well. But really it depends on the establishment in general. Is it a restaurant witch serves at the bar or a bar which serves food. The former is a relatively recent trend; the latter is ancient. I recall attending the NRA show (restaurants not rifles ) in the mid '90s where bar service at better restaurants was gaining traction. Too many singles in a crowded restaurant dining room=empty chairs=lost revenue. Personally I'd feel a little guilty seated even at a two top during peak hours; staring at that empty chair.

 

[Richard Warren]

I wish I could go anywhere by myself.

 

[Tomasso]

You're here alone aren't you?

 

[Undertow]

You're here alone aren't you?

lol

I agree; one person to a 2-4 person table seems a little irresponsible at peek hours. I wouldn't be offended if a waiter asked me to move prior to being served.

Here, most bars serve food but typically the poorer variety you could literally buy at Wal-mart and make yourself (frozen pizzas, hamburgers, etc.) I should note that a few establishments have opened which serve food during eating hours, and drinks at night - one of them nearby named Limey's, owned and operated by a Englishman (weren't we discussing that slang in another thread? )

 

[Diamondback]

I feel the same way. I work odd hours and sometimes it's just unavoidable to eat alone. I hate bringing a book because it makes me feel like "Look at me, I'm alone and have to bring a book to keep me company."

I also almost always have my laptop botted up and working (if you see me on FL at 1AM, it's probably from the local diner where the manager lets me have free reign with his WiFi--most people recognize an open laptop as a "busy" signal, but there are still the few Obliviots who've made it necessary to hang a "Do Not Disturb--Freelancer Working" sign on the screen back.

Mugwump, your Look #443 sounds about like what happens when my shades come off. (I once had a prof who told a story about having had a heat-seeking missile attached to a plane he was working on lock specifically onto him, and compared looking me in the eye to looking into the seeker-head on that missile.) See why I made that comment about "scaring the sheeple"?

VC, the A&A animals I mod for actually have a Play By Post section of their forum--so that's always an option too, when my $&*@ StarCraft II addiction or work aren't in the way.

 

[LordBest]

I generally dine at a good restaurant on the way home from University, by necessity on my own. It is rather nice to be able to just sit and think while enjoying the meal.

 

[scottyrocks]

I often eat out by myself, whether during lunch at work, or when I was doing a lot of traveling by bike. Solitude is nice when youve been around kids, or in the saddle for half a day.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I got out to eat a lot by myself. My new work group brings their lunch a lot, and I need to start, but don't always bring something. I also notice that there are a lot of people eating alone where I'm on the road. I try to eat dinner early, or lunch late so I don't take up a table. I've eaten at some of the better restaurants, at a table in their bar area. They don't mind, and I tune everyone out. I also keep a paperback in the pouch on the driver's side door for lunch alone, or Sonic drive in.

Later

 

[Carnage]

Yes on occasion I will go to restaurants solo. I am often found in my local pub on my own too, but my partner joins me from time to time.

 

[Richard Warren]

You're here alone aren't you?

Except for those voices in my head.

 

[John in Covina]

I often dine out alone, more so than dining out with others. I can go to the restaurant I like and get what I like. I have dined out at some medium to high end restaurants alone when I travel to Las Vegas alone. There as a visitor to Las Vegas it's fairly common in the hotels and often the waitstaff give you good service and attention.

Actually my first 4 star dining experience in Las Vegas I was alone. Back in the late 80's I had gone to the Soldier of Fortune Convention for vacation Tuesday thru Sunday my second SOF convention. The Sands Hotel and Casino was the HQ for the event and I was staying in one of the back rooms by the back pool. I had spent part of the day at the craps table and had won about $100 or so bucks after a 2 hour interlude with the Boys, the elderly men that were at the $2 table playing. i got some great lessons from a gent that look and sounded much like Hyman Roth and with his help and a hot table i did well plus had a great time. The reward was to go to The Regency the 4 star Italian restaurant in the Sands for dinner. I had 2 waiters that made a fuss since I was alone and brought me all sort of tiny side dishes of various entrees to try along with dinner. The guys were funny and made me feel like a long lost cousin. I was alone but they made me feel like family. Great dinner great time!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Ocassionaly but rarely.

 

[pretty faythe]

Not as often as I would like. The kids often force themselves into the car and tag along with me lol

 

[Blackthorn]

During the 11 years between my marriages, I ate in restaurants alone on all the nights I didn't have my kids with me. I never thought twice about it. Maybe it's because I was an only child. I love people, but I have no problem being alone.