Eat alone?

DEmeant0r

Do you? I don't mind it, but I know a lot of people wouldn't for fear of being thought of as a loner or something stupid like that...

Tar.Aldarion

HA, why would they feel like a loner??
Yip, eat alone a lot, every day in fact.


If you feel lonely, meet you in the bialann. :v:

daiixi

yup! perfectly happy to spend time in public with just me. then again, I open my mouth and it's obvious I'm a foreigner..

DEmeant0r

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

HA, why would they feel like a loner??
Yip, eat alone a lot, every day in fact.


If you feel lonely, meet you in the bialann. :v:

Ewww Bialann? Why not Friars? :v:

PS I still eat in Bialann nowadays though

ST*

Demeant0r wrote:

Do you? I don't mind it, but I know a lot of people wouldn't for fear of being thought of as a loner or something stupid like that...

Anyone who is not comfortable in their own skin enough to sit and have a meal by themselves has problems. I would be fine with it.
Not very table-mannerly, but I like to have a book in one hand, while forking food in with the other.

Faith

I hate eating on my own in public. I hate seeing people eat on their own. They could be the happiest they've ever been in their lives, but I still hate it!

py2006

I always feel really awkward sitting alone in cafe etc on my own! Its almost as if you don't know where to put your hands or something.

Sometimes I buy a newspaper and that sometimes helps!

DEmeant0r

You want to be single? (question to faith, cba quoting)

ST*

Faith wrote:

I hate eating on my own in public. I hate seeing people eat on their own. They could be the happiest they've ever been in their lives, but I still hate it!

py2006 wrote:

I always feel really awkward sitting alone in cafe etc on my own! Its almost as if you don't know where to put your hands or something.

Why? I'm not being funny - I just wonder..

BuffyBot

I've eaten alone in restauraunts loads of times. First time I thought it was weird, but once I'd done it, I had no problem doing it over!

Fajitas!

I don't like doing it, but meh, has to be done when I'm working.

Tar.Aldarion

Demeant0r wrote:

Ewww Bialann? Why not Friars? :v:

PS I still eat in Bialann nowadays though

Never gone to friars, so lazy and the bialann is right there...with it's awful food.

py2006 wrote:

I always feel really awkward sitting alone in cafe etc on my own! Its almost as if you don't know where to put your hands or something.

Sometimes I buy a newspaper and that sometimes helps!

put your hands on your fork and knife...?
Ye, sometimes I do the croissword whilst eating alone in the college restaurant.

Faith

Demeant0r wrote:

You want to be single? (question to faith, cba quoting)

I don't get you...

Shock_treatment- I don't know why, I just feel really conspicuous. It's like I can't even find a friend to eat with or something. If I've a book or paper or something, I'm fine though.

ST*

Faith wrote:

Shock_treatment- I don't know why, I just feel really conspicuous. It's like I can't even find a friend to eat with or something. If I've a book or paper or something, I'm fine though.

I like to read when eating too, but I do it at home also - so its not a comfort thing. Its amazing the amount of people that 'need' to have someone with them. They just don't seem to be comfortable in their own skin.

Binomate

Personally, I eat to live. Not to socialise.

[Jackass]

Yeah, it's weird, I feel awkward eating alone in public too...I don't know why probably some sort of insecurity or something But I've no reason to be...

I would have to be reading a paper or messing with my phone or something though...

I think it's an Irish thing tbh...abroad plenty of people go to cafe's/bars alone for a coffee or glass of wine or whatever...but in Ireland, doing something alone? FOR SHAME!!

kyp_durron

I perfer eating by my self, I find it more relaxing or something.
I certainly never feel nervous or uncomfortable.

py2006

Shock_treatment wrote:

Why? I'm not being funny - I just wonder..

I guess its an insecurity thing! I also hate going into town on my own. I find it hard to go shopping etc on my own.

I am always single too which doesn't help!

Dave!

I eat alone quite often in college... It felt wierd the first time, but I don't mind now.

DEmeant0r

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

Never gone to friars, so lazy and the bialann is right there...with it's awful food.




put your hands on your fork and knife...?
Ye, sometimes I do the croissword whilst eating alone in the college restaurant.

Give Friars a visit, their food is very very nice, although a bit on the expensive side (Costed around €6 for a beef stew)... certainly worth the walk

ST*

py2006 wrote:

I guess its an insecurity thing! I also hate going into town on my own. I find it hard to go shopping etc on my own.
I am always single too which doesn't help!

Thats the best time to do your shopping :eek: you don't have to go into shops that others want to and you don't. theres no rushing about, or meet you back here bull. I love shopping alone, and stopping off for a coffee (with a book again :rolleyes: )

have you ever bought a top or something, and a friend says something like 'ooh yeah thats lovely, think I'll get one myself!' Its very annoying.

hullaballoo

I think more men eat alone than women. Personally, I eat in UCD all the time on my own. It's much more time-efficient. I know a lot of girls who just wouldn't dream of eating on their own, and who feel sorry for guys who do. I never feel sorry for people eating on their own, unless they look like they might be upset about it or something.

tripper

I think its really important to have a certain amount of time to yourself. I would eat alone most days, people usually ask me out to lunch or something but i say i cant, its the best time to catagorise my thoughts and ponder things. Just an hour when you can clear your head and then your back into the real world of people wrecking your head.

dundalk cailin

I used to hate it, but have no problem now eating alone. in fact i enjoy being by myself for a certain amount of time. when i was working, we all had to take our breaks separately so there'd be someone covering (waitressing) so i got used to eating alone throught that as well.

Rhyme

Ive never found it odd eating alone, fantastic for thinking/reading etc...

Its almost a national thing in France, you sit in a Café and watch the people go by...

tails2

not sure about the eating alone thing. i cant remember ever going into a restaurant or anything and eating by myself. many a time have i gone to a sandwich place and taken something away but i doubt that counts.

on the other hand i have gone to the cinema more times than ican remember during the day or in the evening while waiting for my gf to finish work or if i have a day off college or something. i know loads of people who would feel very ashamed about this but i dont know why... there are a load of movies my friends wouldnt watch that i would plus if they are in work or something why cant i just go. and also its the same as watching tv except outside your home. you cant say you wouldnt sit at home and not watch tv unless you where with someone???!!!

Dave!

dundalk cailin wrote:

I used to hate it, but have no problem now eating alone. in fact i enjoy being by myself for a certain amount of time. when i was working, we all had to take our breaks separately so there'd be someone covering (waitressing) so i got used to eating alone throught that as well.

Yeah I actually enjoy it sometimes too... On my break in work sometimes I just don't feel like having a conversation, so it's good to just sit there on my own and eat and not have to do anything else

The Bollox

I have no problems going into town on my own, it means you don't feel giulty for spending ridiculous amounts of time in some shops. also I have no problems going to the flicks on my own, it means these's noone there to see me cry if it's a tear-jerker (yes, I'm a sissy/pussy, so shoot me!).

but I cannot eat on my own, I always feel really self concious. I try distracting myself with my phone, but it doesn't work.

acyually on the topic of eating out. I was eating in a local restaurant with a friend about a month ago, and the staff who gave us our drinks gave us looks as if we were gay or something. that really pissed me off! I mean since when has it become socially inacceptable to eat out with a friend of the same sex?

Gaillimhtaibhse

Demeant0r wrote:

Do you? I don't mind it, but I know a lot of people wouldn't for fear of being thought of as a loner or something stupid like that...

No problems. Last time I was in London I came alone to dine at a pub. It was crowded. Found a seat on a table with others. Shortly after we were in conversation. Londoners with guests from the Continent. Probably would not have met them if accompanied and waited for a table for two.

Scraggs

DaveMcG wrote:

I eat alone quite often in college... It felt wierd the first time, but I don't mind now.

Yeah know what ya mean. Most of the time I dont mind it but sometimes i feel like such a loser. Its weird coz i dont give a damn when i'm not in college i dont mind eating alone at all... but when i'm there i do.. hmmm interesting..

captainfuture

I don't care what others might think when seeing me eating alone... it just bores me sometimes. But the old newspaper does help wonders.
Guess it depends as well on what you think about other people doing it; If it looks weird to you, you might feel the same yourself when being in that situation.

I find it a comletely different thing though going for a pint on your own... can't stand it at all.

py2006

Yea going for a pint on your own is something I can't do at all. My mate does it no problem.

Its not as bad if you go during the day when the pubs is virtually empty and you have a newspaper with you. But when its packed, hell no!

deisemum

I don't mind eating on my own but when I do I like to have something to read. Also I've gone to the cinema on my own and didn't mind. I wouldn't go to a pub for a drink on my own though

The Bollox

actually I don't mind drinking on my own, but then again I drink in the same pub I work in, so I know the staff and most of the customers

luckat

What a weird thread!

I love going into a restaurant or caff and having a meal, then maybe doing a bit of writing if I'm in the mood. Reading's good - if I'm not reading the flapping of my ears as I eavesdrop on nearby diners' conversation bothers other people.

If you like to read and also have both hands free, by the way, try this:

http://www.seriousreaders.com/easyclip.htm#

faceman

its sat afternoon, finished a session in the gym, the mot is off shoppin and the boys may or may not be around. head to the local so for a nice afternoon pint and a read of the weekend papers or a good book. cant beat it!

Altho the local cant be somewhere like buskers or that shoitehole d2!!!

Dizzyblabla

I'm just back from going on holidays on my own, I went to Morocco, and met a few people who did the same thing. The first night I went to the bar on my own, obviously met some people, but had no problems hanging by the pool on my own or heading off to the beach for a walk.

People are far too self-conscious these days, if you feel like going somewhere or doing something and don't have anyone around to go with you, why should you stop yourself from going?

Cherub

i eat on my own all the time. I used to be a bit weird about it, but when I started college all my friends had lunch at different times and stuff, so i got used to it. I love shopping alone, or just popping into a cafe for a coffee. I like to spend time in my own company.

I wont go for a drink on my own tho. I'd feel like an alcoholic.

Lump

I eat alone some times, Normally I have a paper with me, and that's what I want to do if I eat alone, be alone/read/shut off my mind/not have to think of making conversation. That's one of the reasons I moved in to a flat on my own. I can come home after a 12 hour shift and chill, I don't have to think about talking to anyone, and I love it. If I want to chat to people, I call around to their houses, or meet in a pub/café!

Now that I'm doing 60-72 hours a week, I need to be able to relax at home!

John

Proxy

I like to do [all of the above] alone usually. Although I generally went to the cinema with my girlfriend, but now we've broken up I can't face the bloody place...:(

I often feel like going for a pint on my own during the day but I also feel a bit of an alco, or that i'm being percieved as one. Irrational I suppose...

nlgbbbblth

I was in town a couple of years ago meeting a client. We finished earlier than expected so I decided to pop into a sandwich bar for lunch. On my own.

I overheard three girls at the table next to me who kept staring in my direction. 'Look at that sad b*stard. Eating on his own'.

I couldn't understand it. Every day I see people eating alone.

DEmeant0r

Nothing wrong with eating alone. Guess those girls are just bullies and/or very insecure...

The Bollox

Demeant0r wrote:

Nothing wrong with eating alone. Guess those girls are just bullies and/or very insecure...

or just complete bitches. ppl like that should be shot

xzanti

I have no problem eating alone in public.. Usually I'll just get a paper or a magazine to read while I eat though..

RainyDay

I quite enjoy the selfish pleasure of eating on my own when away on business. I get to choose exactly what type of restaurant suits me, and exactly the wine I want etc etc. And of course, someone else is picking up the tab. I'd always make sure to have a book or magazine with me, though observing other people is half the fun.

dundalk cailin

i also much prefer to go shopping on my own, although that is slightly different than eating alone. im quite an independent person, and dont like to be aroud people all the time, i like to just have a bit of 'me' time

turbot

nlgbbbblth,

If a bunch of girls were that nasty, openly and in public, I'd feel a strong compulsion to really embarass them.

Like getting up and shouting out:

"Wow... I didn't realise it was you... You know... you're so amazing.... you're so special.... you're really.... quite incredibly ****ing rude. The reason I'm eating by myself is that I have no friends. The reason I have no friends is because I'm not and spethal asth your arth. Will you be my friend? Pleaaath?"

Then move over and sit next to them.

That will show them for being such rude bitches.

Then sit down next to the ring leader or one making the statement and keep staring at her saying "You're my hero" to anything she says with a dumbfounded look on your face. Then get the attention of people walking past and say to them, pointing to her "She's my hero.... she's more important than all of us. She's amazing." with a tone that is a fine line between complete condescending sarcasm.

At this point, they'll probably get freaked out.

Hester

I used to feel very self conscious going for something to eat on my own. But then I worked for a while in a restaurant and realised that loads of people do it. And as a waitress, the people eating on their own were my favourite customers cause there was so little work for me :v:

Nowadays I don't mind eating on my own occasionally. There's times at work I'd prefer to eat on my own rather than feel obliged to make conversation when I'm not in the mood.

dundalk cailin

Hester wrote:

And as a waitress, the people eating on their own were my favourite customers cause there so little work for me :v:
.

Thumbs up for the lone customers

nlgbbbblth

turbot wrote:

nlgbbbblth,

If a bunch of girls were that nasty, openly and in public, I'd feel a strong compulsion to really embarass them.

Like getting up and shouting out:

"Wow... I didn't realise it was you... You know... you're so amazing.... you're so special.... you're really.... quite incredibly ****ing rude. The reason I'm eating by myself is that I have no friends. The reason I have no friends is because I'm not and spethal asth your arth. Will you be my friend? Pleaaath?"

Then move over and sit next to them.

That will show them for being such rude bitches.

Then sit down next to the ring leader or one making the statement and keep staring at her saying "You're my hero" to anything she says with a dumbfounded look on your face. Then get the attention of people walking past and say to them, pointing to her "She's my hero.... she's more important than all of us. She's amazing." with a tone that is a fine line between complete condescending sarcasm.

At this point, they'll probably get freaked out.

Good stuff. Hopefully one or all of them has been glassed since then.

I don't get the big thing about eating alone. Yes I enjoy eating with people to have a chat/catch up/whatever but the point of eating is to nourish yourself, and you do not need company for that! It takes a bit of effort to ring people, arrange to meet, wait for them to show up, etc, so why not just eat on your own?

I went to see my friend in Madrid last year, and had to wait in a bus station for an hour so decided to have some dinner while I was there. There were two English speaking girls sitting across from me and I heard them say something about feeling sorry for me cos I was alone. I nearly got up and smacked them! What was I supposed to do, bring a friend with me all the way to Spain just so I didn't have to eat alone for 15 minutes? It was them I felt sorry for, being too pathetic and needy to do anything on their own. I see people eating alone all the time and think nothing of it. If you feel sorry for them, you're really condescending or have a major problem yourself. You don't know their circumstances. To assume they have no friends is really far fetched and judgemental.