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Going to a restaurant by yourself
- Thread starter Nintendoga
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fallengorn
Bitches love smiley faces
Ate alone plenty of times. No big deal.
Rei no Otaku
Member
I love going to the movies by myself. I enjoy it more than going with other people.
Tawney Bomb
Member
I once at a restaurant alone when I was out of town by myself. Wasn't awkward, talked to the waitress about Teen Titans, was completely normal.
I eat at the diner beneath my apartment all the time by myself because why the hell not? Especially if it's 3am and I'm hungry. Plus, I think the guy who works the night shift is funny as hell and we have crazy talks at that time. It's like a reading of GAF's OT section come to life and improvised. He's a great chap.
Anyway, most restaurants have bar-seating for people who are by themselves too. It's pretty common in my city (NYC). It certainly does not look out of place to see someone eating alone around here.
Anyway, most restaurants have bar-seating for people who are by themselves too. It's pretty common in my city (NYC). It certainly does not look out of place to see someone eating alone around here.
inked_illusion
Member
Just did this yesterday and this thread is somewhat convenient.
Honestly, eating by yourself in a restaurant is fine and sometimes better as you can focus on the food rather than making a conversation with people.
Just wanted to eat out in a whim and since most of my family and friends are an hour away, why go through all that just for companion.
Honestly, eating by yourself in a restaurant is fine and sometimes better as you can focus on the food rather than making a conversation with people.
Just wanted to eat out in a whim and since most of my family and friends are an hour away, why go through all that just for companion.
I have travelled specifically to some restaurants to try out what they were known for. There have been many times where I opt to watch movies alone since high school and I would choose to seat away from the audience.
My personal space is much more important than social norms, not that I show it explicitly.
My personal space is much more important than social norms, not that I show it explicitly.
I've eaten alone during my first few weeks of college in sit-down restaurants, but I've never seen a movie alone.
I wouldn't have a problem doing either, but now that I graduated and am married, I'd never have to.
Olive Garden does strike me as a strange place to eat alone, though, as it's more of a mid-range date/family place, but to each their own.
I wouldn't have a problem doing either, but now that I graduated and am married, I'd never have to.
Olive Garden does strike me as a strange place to eat alone, though, as it's more of a mid-range date/family place, but to each their own.
Yep. I'm the same way man.
br0ken_shad0w
Member
You've never seen someone eating by themselves and then you just called Olive Garden 'fancy'
Are you Dan Ryckert?
Bright Side of Life
Member
Used to eat at sit down restaurants alone a lot in NYC not so much now because nothing really worth going to within distance of my house. Favorite one was Curry-Ya and Fig and Olive
Wow came in to post this. Look gaf most of you are going to be alone the rest of your lifes anyway just get used to it and stop worrying about doing everything alone.
I'm 75% sure the "fancy restaurant" thing is a subtle reference to these threads:
Just had my first four course meal
Going to Red Lobster tonight
Just had my first four course meal
Going to Red Lobster tonight
GifGafIsTheBestGaf
Member
is not that bad tbh
Gabriel_Logan
Member
Tony Soprano ate by himself all the time. Just wear a suit.
sixteen-bit
Member
If ur self concious, go in business attire and play it off like ur traveling on business or somethin lmao
Lumpy Onion
Member
Or even better, hire someone off the street to act as a stand-in dining partner. It might end up costing a bit more but at least you won't have to experience the piercing looks of those who might shame you.
I do this 90% of the time I go to the movies, which is often. If I want to see a movie and nobody wants to go, why would I wait? Not like I'm talking to whoever I'm with while the movie is on.
As for going to a restaurant alone, I've also done it a few times but not often. I don't see anything wrong with it. Sometimes you just want to relax and enjoy a meal by yourself.
Astral Dog
Member
it depends on the person or restaurant, maybe some fancy restaurants (Red Lobster?) it will be a bit more embarrassing going alone 
but there is nothing wrong with it.
but there is nothing wrong with it.
Winter John
Member
It's not that unusual, I've seen plenty of people eating alone over the years. We have a retired doctor who comes in every Sunday afternoon. His wife died a few years back so he comes in for a chat and gets himself a good meal.
Yeah, seems like everyone is so insecure about ever doing a normally "social" activity alone. I don't think it's only GAF though. People are really caught up in what other people think of them and how they are perceived by others. Thus these questions.
I've had busy days where I want to sit down and eat to take a break and go get food by myself before. Or if I'm just craving something specific and can't find anyone to go or just don't care to find someone else. It's not a big deal.
Valkerionseven
Member
Nothing wrong with it. Probably more a problem with having to reaffirm your existence through small interactions with other people at all times of the day.
Sometimes you want to do shit alone, that includes eating.
What if he had a craving for fake italian food?
What if he had a coupon for that specific moment?
What if he had no friends?
What if he had a million friends and simply did not want to invite them?
What if he ran away from his wife and kids and wanted to eat alone for a change?
What if he was having one of these days!?
Stop worrying about random strangers enjoying their peace and quiet or going about their business without a reaffirming entourage of douche bags at their side and eat your stale bread sticks OP.
Sometimes you want to do shit alone, that includes eating.
What if he had a craving for fake italian food?
What if he had a coupon for that specific moment?
What if he had no friends?
What if he had a million friends and simply did not want to invite them?
What if he ran away from his wife and kids and wanted to eat alone for a change?
What if he was having one of these days!?
Stop worrying about random strangers enjoying their peace and quiet or going about their business without a reaffirming entourage of douche bags at their side and eat your stale bread sticks OP.
Lightning Count
Member
I eat alone a lot, I prefer it to eating in groups, I usually read while eating too.
I basically only know the episodes from syndication, but I recently watched the series uncut and the payoff of this plot line really cracked me up.
Yeah, you're gonna be hearing from me never because you're a freak who eats alone.
Anyway, I've eaten alone in restaurants but usually during non-peak times.
Out of interest how old are you OP? Or do you just not go to restaurants very often? Not having a go, I just find it really surprising that you've never seen this before. I do prefer to eat with friends but I've done it on my own many times when travelling or even when I just fancy treating myself on the way home from work or something. It's no different from shopping for clothes on your own, or going to the park to read a book, or going to the gym, or the cinema, or basically anything...
Lumpy Onion
Member
I've eaten alone at restaurants many times and have never felt odd about it. I was hungry and the establishment's function was to deliver me food. Sometimes while traveling I don't have the luxury of setting up specific social dining plans. Some people worry too much about what other people think and societal norms to the point of crippling their daily activities.
Randolph Freelander
Member
It's better than eating with somebody else.
Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!
Member
we get this fucking thread once a month
maybe next time you can ask about going to a movie by yourself op
maybe next time you can ask about going to a movie by yourself op
BlueDogAnchorite
Member
I sometimes go out to eat by myself. I also watch movies by myself too. I really don't see what the big deal is.
I travel for work a bit out of town and usually eat alone at bars/restaurants. It's happened more this year than previously and while is a bit awkward at first but you get used to it. I usually take a kindle and just read at the table.
Also otherwise you're usually just stuck in a hotel for the night so it's good to get out of the room!
One thing that is a bit of a hassle when you're eating alone, is going to the toilet - as you have to (in the sort of places I eat) take your jacket/kindle etc with you (in case they're stolen) and so it can seem like you've finished and the serving staff will sometimes clear your table before you get back!
Also otherwise you're usually just stuck in a hotel for the night so it's good to get out of the room!
One thing that is a bit of a hassle when you're eating alone, is going to the toilet - as you have to (in the sort of places I eat) take your jacket/kindle etc with you (in case they're stolen) and so it can seem like you've finished and the serving staff will sometimes clear your table before you get back!
IndieJones
Member
I don't understand why this is even slightly weird. Needing another person - or a group of people - to sit with you in a darkened room where you can't make eye contact and talking is discouraged seems like the weird thing to me.
I hadn't thought about it until I read this thread, but in my head the point of a restaurant isn't the food. Which now that I've typed it looks dumb; but growing up we only ate out on special occasions. The point of a restaurant is to eat with other people, and it's an opportunity to talk and celebrate and stuff. So I wouldn't go to a restaurant alone for the exact same reason I don't drink alcohol alone. There'd be no point. If I'm travelling I'll just get a super market meal deal. Much cheaper. I'm much more comfortable going to a a movie alone because that's sitting quietly in the dark; not precisely a shared experience in the same way as a dinner out is.
Oddly, doesn't apply to cafes. Sitting in a cafe with a book drinking my coffee feels perfectly natural. But not restaurants. Weird.
Oddly, doesn't apply to cafes. Sitting in a cafe with a book drinking my coffee feels perfectly natural. But not restaurants. Weird.
I went to go see Age of Ultron by myself. At 2 in the afternoon on a weekday. It was pretty awesome actually. Pretty empty theater, no one talking or texting, no crying babies.
Eating by myself I've never done, at least not at a proper restaurant. I could probably do it, but only by sitting at the bar. Getting a table on my own would be a little awkward, I think.
Eating by myself I've never done, at least not at a proper restaurant. I could probably do it, but only by sitting at the bar. Getting a table on my own would be a little awkward, I think.
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