Anyone else feel uncomfortable dining alone?

[SoComSurfing]

If its just about anything other than fast food, I rarely can bring myself to go sit down in a restaurant and eat by myself. I've been working again in New Orleans for a few days, and find myself pouring over take-out menus in the hotel and walking to this little greasy spoon around the block. While the food's not bad, I really should be eating something else, I think. I get the feeling this stuff makes McDonalds look like Weight Watchers! However, everytime I want to go to a nice restaurant, on the company's dollar, mind you, I just can't bring myself to go sit there without any company. I'm starting to annoy myself because this is my favorite culinary city in the world, and I just don't feel like enjoying it like I think I should.
Anyone else get this kind of feeling?

[gold_member_321]

I refuse to go out and eat alone, which is why I always invite
someone along. If they can't come or don't want to then I order
out.

I have eaten out by myself once or twice and I feel like everyone's looking at me like I'm some kind of diseased loner freak.

[lousybassplayer]

I do feel odd, but thats why I eat at the bar. Drinking alone is mysterious and cool. Might as well have bite while your at it.

This happens far too often

[peabody]

I travel for business, so I end up eating alone in restaurants quite a bit. No big deal. I just take a book and read. Eating alone sure makes the whole dinner process quicker.

When I eat alone, I prefer to be by myself...

[MJ5150]

Yeah, me too. When I travel for work, I sometimes have to go out to eat by myself and it sucks. I usually opt for room service if it is available.

-Mike

[awakefie]

Originally Posted by peabody

I travel for business, so I end up eating alone in restaurants quite a bit. No big deal. I just take a book and read. Eating alone sure makes the whole dinner process quicker.

When I eat alone, I prefer to be by myself...

A good book mostly gets replaced by my laptop on the road. I end up working and eating. Sigh.

[Relic]

I feel weird about it but if I occupy myself by reading a good book or a newspaper while I'm eating, it's no biggie. Mind over matter.

[GeneralElectric]

Solution: Go on craigslist and look for ads that feature the GFE

[Pilgrim]

I eat by myself every day at lunch - and often at dinner if my wife's out of town. I simply can't imagine anyone being uncomfortable eating alone. However, I do not eat by myself without something to read. If I am about to finish the book I'm reading, I bring a backup with me.

ALL you need is a good book. Leave the laptop in the car or in your room. Reading and relaxing while you eat is one of the great pleasures in life! Try it!

[tplyons]

Yes, I seldom eat alone. I believe that good food should always be shared with good company.

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Yes, I seldom eat alone. I believe that good food should always be shared with good company.

+1 Even if the food sucks, I do not like eating alone. Same for movies, concerts, and whatnot.

[jonathan_matos5]

is it so hard to find someone to eat with?

i don't even like eating fast food alone. i usually find someone to eat with.

[selfblessed]

I like doing stuff by myself. Just think more like a lone wolf. I rode my bike to lunch to day to sit by myself and think. Its was very pleasing.

[doctorjazz]

I don't eat at restaurants alone either. Even if it's fast food I won't sit inside, I just eat in the car and listen to the radio.

[sonic assassin]

in a sit down restaurant, i feel like a weirdo eating alone. mcdonalds is somehow fine.

at the same time, i was never part of a "sit down and eat" family, so when it comes to eating at home, i want to be on the couch, at my computer or TV. holidays i can tolerate.. but eating with people weirds me out. im supposed to talk and have good table manners and not scratch myself.

maybe its because i dont have a good relationship with my family. im normally fine with my friends as long as its informal. cloth napkins and glasses.. no thanks. plastic cup and a dixie plate, im fine.

i went to a ton of concerts by myself back in school. not many people were interested, fewer could afford it, so i went to easily 10 shows on my own. it was weird.. yea.. but i saw some great shows. granted.. they wouldve been a lot better with a couple of my friends around.

[IMAROBIT]

maybe eating in a restaraunt alone is wierd, thats like going to the movie theatre alone. But i prefer eating alone

[MAJOR METAL]

Adron would you feel more comfortable if you went into the restraunt with a book ? If I was only able to dine with someone else I would surely look like a stick person !

[Cambass]

I do but I also have social anxiety which makes it very hard to go to a restaurant alone (depsite often wishing to). It always feels like people are looking at you constantly.

[DaveLS]

I would never go eat alone in a restaurant where I live, but when I'm on a business trip, I don't think twice about eating alone. I used to travel to Paris a lot on business so I got used to it real quick. There aren't many places to get take-out in Paris. Although, downtown there are some pizza carts and some with those awesome stuffed crepes.

Bring a newspaper with you. Even if you aren't reading it, you can leave it open on the table and it will make you feel less creepy.

Oh, and it helps if you loosen up with a few drinks first. You start to care less with a little buzz on.

[TallLankyBastyd]

Weird... I am surprised by how many have posted not liking to dine alone! I've always preferred doing almost everything alone.

I'm married and I love my wife and enjoy her company but... I REALLY enjoy those rare times I get to go do things by myself.

Natural Born Loner