Would you attend an event or dinner alone?

[PrettySquareGal]

There is no longer a golden era stigma of a lady going out "unescorted," however there is a social stigma for both genders now, it seems, for doing certain things alone. If you see someone eating alone in a non-fast food retaurant, the assumption is usually that they don't have friends. (But why should one care?)

Ladies:

Do you or would you eat at a nice restaurant alone? Why or why not?

Would you go to a concert alone if no one you knew shared your taste for the musicians? Why or why not?

Gents:

Same questions.

 

[DJH]

Hmm, if I see someone eating in a nice restaurant alone, my thought is that they are probably traveling on business and staying in the area. I've done just that way too many times, although it isn't my favorite.

So, yes - I'd eat on my own.

Concert? Probably not, I usually only go to concerts or similar events if my wife or someone we're with is the one wanting to go.

 

[sheeplady]

Do you or would you eat at a nice restaurant alone? Why or why not?
Yes. I've done it many times when traveling on business.

The thing that makes me really sad is to see an older person eating at a restaurant who is wearing their wedding ring. I wonder if they are widowed, how long ago the person passed away, and if they are lonely.

Would you go to a concert alone if no one you knew shared your taste for the musicians? Why or why not?
I'm not much of a concert goer, but sure.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I don't go to expensive restaurants under any circumstances, but I eat alone at diners and lunchrooms all the time. Gives me a chance to read the paper in peace.

As for concerts or other entertainment events, why not? When you're buying a single ticket to a reserved seat event you have a much better chance of getting a good seat if you're buying only one -- there are always odd single seats left in good sections which have to be passed over by people who only want seats in pairs.

 

[Virginia Creeper]

The love the idea of eating alone in any restaurant, nice or otherwise. It's very rare that I ever eat out, though, and it's almost always a family affair when I do.

I almost always attend concerts on my own. I prefer having my own agenda, as well as the opportunity to not talk to anyone for a few hours.

 

[scottyrocks]

I am often out by myself running errands, and so eating a quick meal alone is never an issue for me. I like my solitude, anyway.

But an engagement, planned in advance, such as a dinner, party, or concert? I am fairly confident in saying that I would not go without my wife. I don't want to be out in that type of situation without her, and would rather stay home with her.

Sometimes, the group we are friendly with will do a coordinated evening where the women will do their thing, and the guys do something else. I'll go with the guys, but would still rather be with my wife.

 

[vintageTink]

I've no problem eating out alone. If it's a nice dinner I'd prefer my husband come along but no, I've never been bothered eating by myself. And if I see someone who looks lonely (like a poster mentioned above) I'll likely strike up a friendly conversation.

Going to a concert alone? I don't really attend concerts, but probably not. More fun if I had someone with me to razz the musician.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Unfortunatly in this day & age, most of my friends are digital. I can't seem to find anyone who wants to do anything with me in real life so I go & do things alone.

 

[Matt Crunk]

That's kinda sad, Bruce. Maybe you should make a pointed effort to find new friends who share your interests.

As to the question: I dine alone on occasion in fine restaurants for lunch and think nothing of it. Sometimes I simply get tired of fast food and have to have something better, and live too far away from work to go home for lunch. I also have gone to movies alone occasionally when it was something no one else had an interest in seeing. Feels a bit odd, but I have no problem with it.

 

[Gregg Axley]

I've eaten at nice restaurants by myself numerous times.
Before I got married, I'd dress up a bit, go to a nice restaurant, and have a good time.
Now that I'm married, I'll do this if my wife is working and I'm not (as in a holiday I get but she doesn't).
However, I'm the primary cook in the house, so if she's out, I can still cook just in smaller portions.
I have eaten by myself while on a trip to see the inlaws.
My brother in law brought all his kids with him, each one sick with different ailments, and infected most of the household, except me.
I ate out 2x a day for 3 days.
Much quieter, cleaner, and I didn't have a chance of catching what everyone else had.
PSG, I say go out by yourself if you want.
It's nice to get away from everyone on occasion, to keep your sanity.

 

[Edward]

Wouldn't plan to eat out alone, but have done it regularly, whether travelling for business or just out and about. I've done most of these things alone and think nothing of it. I've gone on holiday alone too, in the past. I don't get the notion of not doing something just because there might not be someone else there.

 

[DNO]

Solitude doesn't disturb me but I tend to view dinner as a social occasion. I dislike eating alone whether in a restaurant or at home.

I certainly have no problem attending a concert or performance solo.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

That's kinda sad, Bruce. Maybe you should make a pointed effort to find new friends who share your interests.

I've tried. No one lives close enough to me that has the same interests.

 

[Touchofevil]

I have been to more shows alone than I have with company. I am perfectly okay attending by my lonesome (although life is always better with Ms. TOE around) and can always find someone with whom to chat if I so desire.

Meals alone are okay as people can be interesting to watch, but almost never happen as I normally spend them with Ms. TOE.

 

[Tomasso]

I have absolutley no qualms about going stag, anywhere at any time. I can't say that I prefer to but I certainly don't shy away from it. I've found that when going solo you often meet people who you normally wouldn't meet if you had companions. Also, these days you're never really alone when you have your smart phone.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I travel a little, and I just moved to a new state so I eat out quite a bit by myself. I'd rather be out of the apartment then cook for myself. I do try to avoid restaurants during their more crowded times. I don't commonly go to movies by myself, or concerts, but a 60 year old guy I work with does it all of the time. His wife and kids are still back home and he's working here. Our company is always moving people around.

Later

 

[Zombie_61]

Restaurants, movie theaters, concert venues, daily errands, and whatever else you can think of. I prefer having the company of my wife, but I have no problem with going anywhere, any time, for any reason by myself; in some cases--running errands, for example--I prefer being alone because I can usually accomplish the task(s) more quickly.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Since I travel a lot on business, I'm used to eating alone in restaurants. Although not the height of good manners, I always have my KIndle with me and often look forward to an evening alone, reading discretely whilst eating.

As for concerts, due to my somewhat "interesting and varied" taste in music, I tend to attend these more alone than with my better half.

 

[newsman]

I've been told I can make friends with a tree. So attending a social event without anyone isn't a big deal to me.

 

[Edward]

Cinemas, now there's one. So many folks I know won't go to the cinema alone. Instead they wait for ftiends to go with them... snd then they all dit in the dark and don't talk to each other for two hours. It's bizarre!