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[George Oscar Bluth II]

 

[Griss]

I've never understood why going out to eat by yourself or seeing a movie by yourself are both seen as strange. I mean, neither are particularly social activities anyways.

Both are hugely social activities. I'd do both all the time if I had any friends to go with, but I don't so I don't. Obviously dinner conversation with friends is fun, so I have no idea what you're on about there, but also chatting about a movie for an hour over a beer after it's done is the most enjoyable part of that experience too.

 

[Reptars Revenge]

He was hooking up with the waitress. Only thing that possibly makes sense.

 

[bluehat9]

Ive done it when travelling, but usually I found a diner and sat at the counter.

 

[digitalrelic]

I do this regularly... I'm on the road for my job very frequently, so I stop in at local diners all the time to eat. Don't feel odd at all about it.

 

[milanbaros]

I do it when I'm on business, but I also learned that is the real reason room service exists. It depends what I feel like. I often can't face spending even more time with colleagues and if there are some good restaurants (which are out of my normal cost bracket) I'll go and enjoy. Still have to take a book, phone or newspaper though.

 

[hobblygobbly]

I do it fairly often. I haven't had real friends since moving cities/countries after school for a few years now (and we've all grown apart) so I do most things alone. Just the way it is. I've never felt awkward/uncomfortable but it would be nice to have company. There aren't that many chain restaurants here, mostly just good local restaurants with amazing food.

 

[TheSpoiler]

I couldn't. It's cool if other people do it, more power to them. But I'm a huge wuss and cannot see a movie alone or eat alone. I feel like I'm missing out if I don't have a friend or my girlfriend with me.

But how about pets? Would you take your dog out to eat? That, I could maybe do.

 

[Skeyser]

Dude probably goes out more often than you do if it's the first time you saw someone eat alone in a ''fancy'' restaurant lol

 

[Frozenprince]

I swear, way too many GAFFER think all public accommodation must be done with crowds, movies, restaurant, bar, and play. I've done it all alone.

I do it alone all the time. I like seeing movies alone. I like going to a pub alone. I like sitting down and being treated and having a meal alone.

I spend the vast majority of my time taking care of another human being, and I tend to dislike social settings in general. Being able to go out and do things alone is liberating and fun. I don't give a flying fuck if Sally the waitress or the dude manning the ticket and concessions stand thinks I'm weird for it. If it's acceptable to do it with a group of friends (something I rarely do anymore since I live 4 hours from my closest friends) then it should be acceptable to do alone.

 

[JBourne]

I'll eat at this sushi place alone, although very rarely. I'll just sit at the bar and talk to the chef

 

[Nintendoga]

Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday are now "fancy restaurant type stuff?" Hahaha oh man, kill me now.

I'll just be quiet now before anything else backfires on me.

Like I said in the OP I'm not mocking them or anything, that shit's cool if they wanna do that. I was just legitimately curious cause I never saw that in a resturant here before. Sorry if the tone of my post sounded like anything else.

 

[djplaeskool]

Hell if I'm going to share my unlimited breadsticks.

MUTHAFUCKIN BOTTOMLESS BREADSTICKS MAN

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Yeah I do it often. Kind of frequently actually. Sometimes, I just want to eat and not have to talk to anyone. Or I just don't feel like having to coordinate with friends or others.

And if I'm on business, it's kind of a given.

Life of an introvert.

 

[Frozenprince]

I'll just be quiet now before anything else backfires on me.

Like I said in the OP I'm not mocking them or anything, that shit's cool if they wanna do that. I was just legitimately curious cause I never saw that in a resturant here before. Sorry if the tone of my post sounded like anything else.

Nobodies shitting on you man. Just that you need to broaden your horizons a little bit. Olive Garden might be decent and "fine dining" to someone that never travels or takes time to take in local eateries, but for the most part it's on the same tier as like, TGI Fridays.

 

[Ryde3]

I've certainly spontaneously decided to sit down for lunch or dinner by myself while shopping, on my way somewhere or while waiting for someone.

I've also gone to the movies alone, and even concerts - never really plan any of these things but it always ends up being a good time and I sometimes think I should do it more often tbh.

 

[Fracas]

I don't really like doing it, but I eat by myself all the time when I'm in school.

 

[faridmon]

I've done it a few times, but only while in another city for meetings, and I'd always bring some paperwork with me so I didn't feel so inconspicuous.

Similarly, I know people will go to the movies by themselves, but I don't know if I could do that.

Again with this topic about movies. I go to movies by myself most of the times and its actually really refreshing not to worry about anyone else not liking it and take it all in.

Honestly, some of the people here are so insecure. There is nothing wrong going to movies or going to gig by ones self

On the OPs topic, I don't know about restaurants, if I am not with someone, I rather cook for myself.

 

[xxracerxx]

I'll just be quiet now before anything else backfires on me.

Like I said in the OP I'm not mocking them or anything, that shit's cool if they wanna do that. I was just legitimately curious cause I never saw that in a resturant here before. Sorry if the tone of my post sounded like anything else.

I am just saying that in no way are those places you listed "fancy." They are right in line with the likes of IHOP.

 

[Oogedei]

Never do it since I have a GF but wouldn't judge it either. I mean why not? Social conventions my ass. People want to enjoy nice meals and why should somebody without a partner miss out on that?

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I am just saying that in no way are those places you listed "fancy." They are right in line with the likes of IHOP.

I say Reginald let's go to a fancy place tonight

I'll call the TGI Fridays right this second

 

[Erico]

I do it all the time when travelling for business.
Usually grab a seat at the bar though, which also saves on wait time.

 

[LyleLanley]

I am just saying that in no way are those places you listed "fancy." They are right in line with the likes of IHOP.

Are you trying to tell me that the International House of Pancakes isn't fancy?

 

[Frozenprince]

Again with this topic about movies. I go to movies by myself most of the times and its actually really refreshing not to worry about anyone else not liking it and tak it all in.

Honestly, some of the people here are so insecure. There is nothing wrong going to movies or going to gig by ones self

On the OPs topic, I don't know about restaurants, if I am not with someone, I rather cook for myself.

I went to see the original Thor with my cousin, and he loaaaathed it. Thought it was dry, dull, and boring as sin while I was loving every minute of it. Afterwards we didn't even talk about the movie because he didn't hate it to the point of having a back and forth about how much he hated it while I liked it. He just had no desire to ever watch it or talk about it again. And I felt like I just wasted 2 1/2 hours and it sucked some of my enjoyment from it because I suggested we see it.

Just because something is an inherently social experience doesn't mean it's a REQUIRED social experience. I feel like you miss out on a lot if you just wait for people to go out and experience something. If there is a nice place to eat near you, but you can't find company to go with you, that shouldn't preclude you from going and being able to try a new experience.

 

[Kas]

I dont, but that's because I still have my brother to bring with me. When I get my own place, I plan on going out alone more. Going with friends to eat out is great, but I live near tons of places with excellent food

 

[Nether!]

I go to restaurants all the time by myself.
I don't understand why it's weird.
I'm hungry so I'll eat something.
Do I have to call up a friend to come meet me everytime?
Would never go to Olive Garden with or without a group though.

 

[xxracerxx]

I say Reginald let's go to a fancy place tonight

I'll call the TGI Fridays right this second

I for one cannot wait to boogie down on all you can eat fries.

 

[Jarrod38]

Also tomorrow or Friday I'm going to an India buffet by myself for lunch.

 

[mintylurb]

I'll eat at this sushi place alone, although very rarely. I'll just sit at the bar and talk to the chef

I do that from time to time. If I'm craving for some uni/otoro, make a reservation, sit at the bar in front of the head chef and enjoy my dish while drinking nigori/yebisu.
I can do this without feeling embarrassed because it's not a fancy restaurant like olive garden or ruby tuesday.

 

[xxracerxx]

I do that from time to time. If I'm craving for some uni/otoro, make a reservation, sit at the bar in front of the head chef and enjoy my dish while drinking nigori/yebisu.
I can do this without feeling embarrassed because it's not a fancy restaurant like olive garden or ruby tuesday.

I hear sushi joints are in subway stations. What trash.

 

[Yrael]

Yep, I've done it fairly often (more so though when I'm travelling overseas). There's no shame in it, and it's quite a peaceful and relaxing experience. Probably my favourite experience dining alone in a restaurant was in Italy, looking out over the Adriatic Sea.

 

[lunchtoast]

I once saw a guy eating alone at Sizzler sitting across from what I assumed was a framed picture of his dead wife.

 

[Brakke]

I eat alone on the regular. Especially sushi: it's not something I'm not going to make it for myself and sometimes you just need some fish and your pals aren't into it.

Just bring a book and flirt extra with whoever waits on you.

 

[Kisaya]

Yeah sometimes, just to treat myself. Wouldn't at an Olive Garden or any big restaurant chain, those are meant for groups.

 

[dskillzhtown]

Again with this topic about movies. I go to movies by myself most of the times and its actually really refreshing not to worry about anyone else not liking it and take it all in.

Honestly, some of the people here are so insecure. There is nothing wrong going to movies or going to gig by ones self

On the OPs topic, I don't know about restaurants, if I am not with someone, I rather cook for myself.

I am not sure if it is insecurity or the fact that many are programmed to believe that you HAVE to go to a bar, a restaurant, the park, the movies with someone else. That you can't do crap on your own. I find doing stuff alone liberating. Not having to think about what someone else wants to do or how they want to do it is great. I like social experiences, not a hermit by any means, but if I want to do something, I do not feel the need to find someone to do it with.

I used to be like the OP, thinking that it was weird or some crap. But once you start doing things alone, it opens a new world. You are focused on your enjoyment, not worried about someone else.

 

[HiiiLife]

People are really that scared to do stuff alone? It's just food. Bring a book and drink wine while you're at it lol.

 

[Siegcram]

You'd only find me in an Olive Garden alone. Probably wearing a mask or disguise too.

 

[Narag]

Fancy restaurants you say?

Didn't you know?

 

[uncleniccius]

When I went on holiday some of my friends didn't want to go out.

I ate lunch alone in decent restaurants alone several times, it made me realise that it isn't as bad as it looks.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Its odd to eat at a restaurant alone? What even. I do it a lot when other people dont want to come to work with me at lunch or I see a movie alone and want to eat a mighty fine dinner.

People even take books or their laptops at these places and have them while they eat even.

 

[crazepharmacist]

There's this really good sushi place by my house that recently came out with a $20 all you can eat special. Caveat is that every member of a party has to go in on this special because they don't want people sharing so most of the time I end up going by myself. The sushi is excellent and the value is incredible so I can't help going by myself as often as I can.

 

[Dreamwriter]

But how about pets? Would you take your dog out to eat? That, I could maybe do.

I want to see someone eating at a sit-down restaurant with their three cats...

 

[NickatNite]

Have only done it once.
Few semesters ago, 11:00am class got cancel. Went to shopping outlet few blocks away. Walked around a few stores. While leaving one store I notice the Applebee's sign, said "sure what the hell" to myself and had launch.

 

[LyleLanley]

Didn't you know?

Oh the memories.

 

[CREMSteve]

So I just got back from Olive Garden with some friends, good shit and all, but I couldn't help but notice a couple tables away from us a guy sitting by himself eating. At first I though "The other person's probably in the bathroom or something." But 30 minutes later when we were leaving I glanced back and nope. Just sitting there by himself eating.

This isn't a mock topic or anything, if the guy wants to go to a restaurant alone and enjoy his food in peace, let him. But man I have never seen that before. Stuff like going to the movies alone, yeah that's not uncommon, even I do that sometimes. But eating alone in a restaurant? Never seen or even heard of it before.

Anyone here ever done that before?

I'm sitting in a restaurant alone right now. Not a big deal. I do it all the time as I work away from home.

 

[Shabadoo69]

I travel for work every once in a while and do it then. It's not the weird to me.

 

[The Shadow]

Honestly don't see what the big deal is. If you want to get something to eat at a restaurant and other people are tied up for whatever reason, you go anyway. Why limit yourself to other people's availability? Seems silly to me.

If I was going to eat at Olive Garden, I wouldn't want anyone to know either.

Lol. I wasn't going to say anything, but I was totally thinking this when I read the OP's post.

 

[BumRush]

On solo business trips I'll go to a sports bar and sit at the bar alone. You end up talking to tons of people that way.

 

[TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared]

I hate going to restaurants on my own. Whenever I do I'm paranoid as fuck, or people ask me to move cos they want/need a table for themselves.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

I hate going to restaurants on my own. Whenever I do I'm paranoid as fuck, or people ask me to move cos they want/need a table for themselves.

What restaurants are these? Ive never had a server tell me I needed to move from the four or six person booth to another table for another guest.