Drinking in a bar on your own... Weird or not?

AARRRGH

Hey,

All my friends are busy at the moment.

I'm in the mood for a drink.

I am tempted to go to a bar, bring a book, and chill for a few hours (getting tipsy is OK with me.)

Weird or not?

dublindude wrote:

All my friends are busy at the moment.

"Sure".

Beat you to it!

Crucifix

If you're reading, and not drinking loads it's not weird. Just make sure to hold the book up and move every so often so everyone in the bar notices, and loudly remark that your first pint is lasting you ever so long. Actually that may get you kicked out.

AARRRGH

Crucifix wrote:

If you're reading, and not drinking loads it's not weird. Just make sure to hold the book up and move every so often so everyone in the bar notices, and loudly remark that your first pint is lasting you ever so long. You may get kicked out.

LOL.

I'm now trying to decide whether to bring the weird sales book I'm reading, or my more normal technical book.

Yes, both are strange.

I really want to do this without looking like a creepy paedophile.

Rhyme

Bring a Dan Brown book... you'll score

AARRRGH

Rhyme wrote:

Bring a Dan Brown book... you'll score

haha... I hate that guy.

But yes, I see where you are coming from.

angelbaby

That's definately not weird! It's not like your not gonna get chattin to someone. Sure the barman is bound to talk to you!!!

If your concerned about lookin like an alco then scan the barfor a small group, discretely walk up n plank yourself beside them then act like you know them!!! Actually no. That really would b weird.

But seriously goin to a bar 4 a few on yer own is alright. You'll get to know more people that way anyway

Happy suppin!!!!!!!!

Rhyme

Bring a Dan Brown book and a Dreamcatcher... you'll totally score

scojones

It's not weird at all, although beware, there is a man united match on, so you might not get to read much of the book in peace! I've often done it when I was in the mood for a pint.

Pighead

Very interesting topic.i've missed after hours
Pighead also likes to have a drink by his self in a bar, because there's something nice about decompressing with a beer and a good book in a quiet neighborhood-y bar,To be honest us lads are sexist pigs on this issue.And most definitely not fair to the fairer sex.
When Pighead walks into a bar (hey, sounds like a joke!), orders a beer and starts reading, people find him dashing and intellectual and mysterious or eggheady and weird, depending on the bar, but I guarantee no one would repeatedly bother him.

Now if i were Miss Piggy and i walked into a bar everybody would think there must be something wrong with me.There must be something about being female and alone in a bar that makes everyone assume that you must be desperate to make conversation, so people like to interrupt you ("Hey, whatcha reading?") and if you don't smile pretty and answer politely answer they think to themselves "What a bitch," but if you do you're trapped talking to Kernel who now thinks you are either (a) his buddy or (b) available.
Definite double standards.Boo to us lads on this one i'm afraid.

4Xcut

well then i wouldn't wear that one whiite glove covered in rhindstones of i were you

The Sweeper

Weird? I hope not, I do it at least once a week. I like the newspaper. And a box of cigs (because you can still smoke with your pint over here).

fischerspooner

yeah nout wrong with that at all. I do it the odd time here in Dublin but used to do it more so when living abroad and had less choice of friends. I could go to bars in canada and you were guaranteed to meet people withing 10 minutes of sitting at the bar. I drank at the local where I grew up for years and I never made any friends or even knew any of the staff by name. Thing about Dublin is that usually no one will talk to you and people will think you're weird, especially if you're not middle aged. But that's the island of 1000 welcomes for you...

nesf

Minesajackdaniels wrote:

Weird? I hope not, I do it at least once a week. I like the newspaper. And a box of cigs (because you can still smoke with your pint over here).

Rub it in why don't you...


OP: There's nothing wrong with it, just bring a book and relax for an evening's reading. Although I haven't done it since the smoking ban came in, can't stand interrupting my book to have a smoke.

Dizzyblabla

Or just go to a really busy bar?
I've often gone to the pub with friends and lost them on route to the bar, gone for a smoke, come back, wandered around, chat to a few people, and then find my friends again.... go to a pub you would go to alot, chances are you'll find someone you know!

Faye

Pighead wrote:

There must be something about being female and alone in a bar that makes everyone assume that you must be desperate to make conversation, so people like to interrupt you ("Hey, whatcha reading?") and if you don't smile pretty and answer politely answer they think to themselves "What a bitch," but if you do you're trapped talking to Kernel who now thinks you are either (a) his buddy or (b) available.
Definite double standards.Boo to us lads on this one i'm afraid.

Spot on Pighead! I dont go to bars on my own very often but on occasion when staying in hotels, I just want to go down to the bar, be among people,have a drink, do some people watching under the guise of reading a book. It's unbelievable the amount of times men attempt to start conversations (despite at this stage, the book is shoved totally in front of my face). Mostly these men get the message when I explain that I prefer to be on my own but some dont and that is very uncomfortable.
Had a particularly nasty experience in the Metropole Hotel in Cork once. This guy had separated from his friends and attempted to join me. I did my usual polite, vaguely friendly 'go away' thing, but he was so persistant that I told him to leave me alone. He stood up and said in a loud voice "F*cking snotty b*tch", then went back to his friends and stared at me. At that stage everyone was watching. I felt so intimidated that I left. The worst thing about that incident was that I was so angry at myself for not slapping his ignorant face I couldnt sleep for half the night! I still get angry when I think about... bloody buffoon! :mad:

Cianos

It shouldnt be seen as weird...but it probably is seen as weird by a lot of people. Quite silly really. Another topic down to the Irish obsession with booze and the taboo that surrounds it. In most countries asking this question would seem weird...and the act not weird in the slightest.

Jimi-Spandex

It's perfectly acceptable.

Just don't get hammered. I was at a gig by myself last week and ended up going to the bar too much and ended up losing stuff but that story is not for now.


but in a normal neighbourhood bar it should be grand.

el Bastardo

Did it for years, not in Ireland though. It always felt a bit weird doing it too, but the alternative was to spend my time alone in a hotel room. Got the impression that people though I was a bit of a billy-no-mates.

c - 13

I always do this, but its mostly hotel bars.
I find you usually get talking to the staff anyway - met some cool people that way.

Larianne

dublindude wrote:

LOL.

I'm now trying to decide whether to bring the weird sales book I'm reading, or my more normal technical book.

Yes, both are strange.

I really want to do this without looking like a creepy paedophile.

Well it is Junior Cert Results night so that may cross peoples minds alright!!

I drank once in a bar on my own waiting for a mate to come home as I was kipping in her apartment. Felt so incomfortable. Wouldn't do that again.

20 Times 20 Times

i feel so bad for saying this but its the truth really , a guy can get away with it a girl cant .

whiskeyman

It's fine, but it depends on the pub tbh.
If I saw someone tucked away reading a book in the corner of a busy pub with music blaring and people getting trying to "get it on", I'd be a bit wary and stay well clear.

Lots of other pubs to go in, get a pint (or 10) and read a paper / watch the match / news whatever...

Necronomicon

I think it's grand, but if I was on my own I'd be more inclined to get a few beers and relax at home.

Jonny Arson

No way would I go drink in a pub on my own. Unless you are an OAP who goes to the local on a Tueday afternoon then maybe but still no way!

Gazza22

No there's nothing weird about that, just go and relax...

What is weird imo is people going to the cinema on their own! Weirdos, and i always get stuck beside the creepy ones!

Crucifix

gazza22 wrote:

What is weird imo is people going to the cinema on their own! Weirdos, and i always get stuck beside the creepy ones!

Ah, I'm guilty of this sometimes myself.....but I'm not creepy.

AARRRGH

Thanks all for the opinions.

I am just back from "the mezz" after being on my own (although I did meet someone I knew in there - by accident - so I wasn't on my own for the entire night.)

People didn't seem to think I was a weirdo, but I did feel a bit strange (I know, it's all in my head).

Back home in front of my laptop (why didn't I get food on my way home!!!) does feel more comfortable.

In fact, there was a couple of American women (I'm assuming they were American by their fashion and makeup) seemed to be into the whole bloke-on-his-own thing.

projectmayhem

you went to the mezz for a quiet pint?

-does not compute-

AARRRGH

projectmayhem wrote:

you went to the mezz for a quiet pint?

-does not compute-

Well, I wanted to go somewhere with a bit of life, and where I could just "chill".

I wasn't in the mood for somewhere dead and depressing.

0utshined

gazza22 wrote:

No there's nothing weird about that, just go and relax...

What is weird imo is people going to the cinema on their own! Weirdos, and i always get stuck beside the creepy ones!

I do that!

Company is nice to have but I go to watch the film so it's not a requirement. If people want to see a flick with me great, if not then meh.

OP,

There's no problem with going to a bar on your own, I've done it a few times usually when I'm abroad though.

Edit : Ah you're back, yeah you tend to meet people you know in this country wherever you go.

Binomate

If you drink whisky and act depressed you wouldn't stand out at all. I'd be much more comfortable going to the cinema on my own than going for a pint on my own. Wouldn't have a problem with either.

Karl Hungus

Well I wouldn't go to the pub on my own for a night out, although I have been known to grab a cool pint on a hot summer's weedend afternoon and relax. That's always nice.

gazza22 wrote:

What is weird imo is people going to the cinema on their own! Weirdos, and i always get stuck beside the creepy ones!

What the hell is this bogglesome garbage? The cinema is for watching films, so who cares if you're there on your own or with a group, everyone's there for the same reason.

Farls

I've done this a few times...without the book though!...Just sit at the bar with my pint and my thoughts...sometimes you get strange looks sometimes you dont...depends on the pub and whos there really.

I think its perfectly normal.

AARRRGH

Well, it may be normal, but it didn't feel normal for me.

Although, I am feeling a little "down" at the moment, so it's possible my view on things are skewed a bit.

I did notice a few people on their own in the pub, and they seemed to look pretty normal Waiting for a friend? Or maybe just bored and wanted to get out of the flat.

I know everything is just in your head...

Sleepy

I'm happy to do it, with or without a book: just not anywhere I'm likely to meet someone I know. Most of my friends/colleagues would think it's a weird thing to do...

And I'm with Ken on the cinema thing: it's a place to watch movies, not somewhere to socialise.

Bard

Done it occasionally... mostly when I was working nights and I had my afternoons free... with or without paper... an optional toasted sandwich... why not, sure?

nesf

gazza22 wrote:

What is weird imo is people going to the cinema on their own! Weirdos, and i always get stuck beside the creepy ones!

It's been pointed out a good few times but I feel like sticking an oar in.

Personally I see nothing wrong with it. I've done it many times, usually when I want to see a film and my usual cinema-goer type mates aren't around/interested in the film I want to see.


I am convinced however that the creepy ones come in groups then tactically split up into different films to maximise the creepiness co-efficient.

They probably spend most of their weeks huddled together somewhere dark and evil plotting and scheming and getting all excited about the fun they'll have at the weekend.

This though keeps me awake at night.

Nightwish

I've been to the cinema on my own. My college is right beside a cinema and between lectures, I might go see a film. Also they are very cheap during the day.
Back on topic, I wouldn't see anything weird about going down to the pub for one or two on your own (I wouldnt do it), as long as its not a mad party pub, but a nice quiet one. Ive seen plenty of people do it. but going out to get drunk on your own can be dangerous IMO

I have to say it would be one of my "hobby's" I enjoy a pint while reading a book or doing the Suduko

Aislinn

Allright, now...I'm an American woman, ex pat ....I've never thought twice about going into pubs on my own, having my drink, and my own thoughts, and very often with my book. I have always noticed the extra attention I seem to receive but it's never interfered with what I wanted to do and no one has ever told me that my behaviour is socially "wierd..." I am always polite to everyone and if someone wants to chat, I will always put my book aside and give them one...And in addition, I have always noted that the bartenders are protective of me, and so on, so I've never been "bothered"...(I think men generally don't want to talk to girls who read books anyway, at least that's been my experience...) But now I am wondering.... I have never meant to be "wierd"....I was born and raised in the States where people drink alone, mainly all the time, even when they're in a crowd....(they have a terrible time with the bottle) I have certainly never intended to be rude to anyone by being on my own, and reading my book...

My question: is it truly considered "rude" to do this? And also, what do you guys think if a woman shows up to the pub with her book? Do you think she's wierd, or lonely heart or pathetic???
Maybe now I know why nobody will ask me out!!! LOL

Help a nice, non-wierd, girl out here boys....
:eek:

Aislinn

PS: I go to the movies by myself all the time, also, because no one ever wants to go with me and certainly, no eligible men are lining up to take me...so I go by myself? And now I find this makes me "wierd" too???
Why is this considered "wierd"???

petes

I see nothing wrong with going to the pub on your own. I went in to one yesterday evening. Had about 8 pints and went home. It was my local though so I could nearly guarantee that someone I knew would be there. Tuesday night though I had a pint in the same pub and I didnt know anyone that I would drink with. Had a pint watched a bit of the footy and went home. I have gone into pubs that I dont know on my own for a couple. Never got hammered on my own though. I think thats the key to not being an alcoholic. And as for drinking at home, I could'nt be arsed. Maybe ok if you are living with someone but if your on your own I would rather be in the pub.

Jesper

It would only be wierd if you were throwing back drink on your own. Then there would be something wrong. Sitting around reading a paper or book while having a tea/coffee is fine. A lot of people like to leave there place of work/college just for a change of scenery.
Nothing rude about it at all. I'd prefer to see a woman reading book/mag/paper than sitting drinking on her own anyday. And it would be much easier to break the ice seeing someone with a book than wondering what are they doing in a pub on there own. As long as the book isn't anyting completly wierd??

Tobias Greeshman

I have no problem with going to the pub on your own, haven't done it in a while. But there's nothing wrong with it, getting out of flat to have a nice quiet drink, Id normally read the newspaper (if ones there) or watch a match if ones on. At least watching the match you have something to talk about with barman and/or people around you.

As for whoever said that people go to the cinema on their own are weird then you got issues mate, you go to the cinema to watch a film nothing else... the same is true of going to a rock concert on your own, your not their for a mad social gathering, you go there to enjoy the music. Thats the reason you paid for the ticket in the first place really, isn't it!!

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fischerspooner wrote:

yeah nout wrong with that at all. I do it the odd time here in Dublin but used to do it more so when living abroad and had less choice of friends. I could go to bars in canada and you were guaranteed to meet people withing 10 minutes of sitting at the bar. I drank at the local where I grew up for years and I never made any friends or even knew any of the staff by name. Thing about Dublin is that usually no one will talk to you and people will think you're weird, especially if you're not middle aged. But that's the island of 1000 welcomes for you...

what a lovely user name... do u like the group. I think electroclash is magic. and fischerspooner are gods. ha ha

MrsA

I am an Irish Female and I quite often would go for a drink to read my book on my own. I have never felt it to be weird or strange, and in fact until it was brought up here I never really thought about it at all.

Sometimes I am waiting for someone, and other times I am just killing an hour before meeting someone. I get a comfortable corner, and get a nice glass of wine and relax. I usually do a little bit of people spotting while I am there as well.

I usually meet my husband on a Friday evening in Finnegans in Dalkey - I normally get there about an hour before him and it is quite busy but I have never thought that I look strange there on my own. Will have to have a look tomorrow night to see if there are any other singletons there.

MPA

LegacyUser

i was waiting for a friend of mine hogans a while back, she was running late, so i took out my book.

was reading the shawshank redemption at the time, which grabbed the attention of some chick at table beside me.....

get a copy of shawshank dude, or ET or some well known loved film...

i'm reading a book called "orcs" at the mo, not as brief encounter friendly

rubadub

Jimi-Spandex wrote:

Just don't get hammered. I was at a gig by myself last week and ended up going to the bar too much and ended up losing stuff but that story is not for now.

If you are not talking to anybody you can easily get drunk without knowing it. I remember once drinking at home waiting for mates, they rang saying they were delayed so I kept going not wanting to waste the booze, went to the pub thinking I was fine, then met them opened my mouth, BLAH BLAH BLAH, I was ****ing flaming!

irlirishkev

I'm another member of the 'lone drinkers club'.

I often go out for a few pints on my own of an evening. I find it's good 'thinking' time, and I like my own company so I've never found it wierd. I prefer a quiet bar though rather than somewhere you'd go for a 'night out' for example. The bar in the Gresham Hotel is my current haunt for midweek relaxation pints. It's just nice to get out of the apartment and chill for a couple of hours.

Likewise, if I'm meeting friends, say at the weekend, and they're running late, I'll often pop into a bar for a quiet pint on my own before heading off to meet them.

I don't see anything wrong with it, and I never get funny looks.

Kev.