Would you go to the pub by yourself?

careymary · 23-01-2012 05:10PM #1

Hi

I know lots of male friends who would happily go to the pub on their own for a few drinks if the urge took them, in fact some go quite regularly sometimes with the paper other times they just get chatting to someone there.

But I dont know any women who would do that, alot say they dont want to look like a loner/alco/desperate

So I was thinking what would I think if i saw a woman on her own having a few drinks and I amnt sure to be honest.

Curiosity got the better of me so last sat afternoon I went to a pub with a book and had a few drinks
In all honesty I enjoyed it, I got a few funny looks from other women but none from men, in fact the only problem I had was having to bring everything to the loo with me when I needed to go!

Thing is I still amnt sure did I strike a blow for feminism or alcoholism???

I would be interested to hear what others think

Honey-ec · 23-01-2012 05:25PM

This comes up every so often. I've no problem going for a drink/something to eat on my own at all. And I just ask the barman/someone at the next table to keep an eye on my stuff if I've to nip to the loo.

23-01-2012 05:26PM

I wouldn't. But that's because I don't really like drinking anyway. I only really go to bars to meet friends. I've been to the cinema by myself. And do most things alone like shopping//going to the gym/often take trips around the country alone.

I have often seen women go for drinks alone, nothing wrong with it!

Some girls are weird about doing social things alone. I know a lot of girls who won't even step into a bar/club alone and they text or call their friends to meet them outside.

What's that all about! Some girls won't even go shopping alone because it makes them look like a "loner". I personally hate shopping with other people!

chickenbutt · 23-01-2012 05:40PM

I would and have, depending on the pub and time of day. I wouldn't if there's a million people around and it was super loud. I've brought my laptop and things to work on assignments, resume, job applications, etc. The pint(s) help with the stress of all those responsibilities! I over think about what people think about me and I'm trying to stop that bad habit and just do what I want without worrying so much.

sambuka41 · 23-01-2012 05:48PM

I've done it before while I was waiting for my car to be fixed in the garage next door (drinking 7up the whole time, I swear

) But i got some really funny looks from the men in the pub. I figured people would probably do this a lot seen as the pub is right next door but with the way they were looking at me I'm not so sure!! I think there is still a stigma about women on their own in pubs.

baby and crumble · 23-01-2012 06:25PM

No-one would look twice at a woman alone having a coffee in a cafe by herself. Pubs are still seen to be the preserve of the menfolk, I find.

Neyite · 23-01-2012 06:28PM

I have gone to the pub on my own and quite enjoyed it, with a book or whatever to keep me occupied.

It wrecks my head when girls drag me off to pee with them. Like the ones who insist you have to accompany them, because they wont go alone.

baby and crumble · 23-01-2012 06:46PM

Yeah I don't understand girls like that, at all. Why the HELL would I need someone to escort me through a pub, seriously?

I live by myself, love going to the cinema by myself, love getting coffee by myself... don't get me wrong, I like other humans :pac:, I just think that if you aren't comfortable in your own company, then you're just not comfortable with yourself, full-stop.

Storminateacup · 23-01-2012 08:49PM

Yeah I'd go to my local by myself.
I'd go eat by myself and I'd go to see a movie by myself

lisasimpson · 23-01-2012 08:53PM

i havent gone to a pub on my own at night but if there was a match on the telly which i want to see and dont have the chanell id pop into one alright. i leave straight away though. id feel the looks eventually

Posy · 23-01-2012 08:53PM

Lia_lia wrote: »

I wouldn't. But that's because I don't really like drinking anyway. I only really go to bars to meet friends

This ^^^
I just wouldn't really be going to a pub unless it was to meet people for a night out really.

I know a girl who will get to the pub, then call her boyfriend and have him come and meet her at the door because she would never walk into a pub alone.
I think that's going a bit far, personally.

Snoopy1 · 23-01-2012 09:00PM

I do most things by myself , even go to the toilet

I don't really drink much so wouldn't really go to a pub by myself.
My next step for me is to go on holiday on my own !!

23-01-2012 09:02PM

Neyite wrote: »

It wrecks my head when girls drag me off to pee with them. Like the ones who insist you have to accompany them, because they wont go alone.

^ Yeah I hate that! It's bizarre. And I hate queuing for the toilets for ages because there are two girls in a cubicle crying about their boyfriends/getting sick/drinking naggins/gossiping for 20 minutes.

Not the biggest fan of girls in general if ye haven't guessed already

sam34 · 23-01-2012 09:24PM

I'd go into a pub on my own in the daytime or early evening but not at night.

I've gone on holidays on my own and loved it.

southsiderosie · 24-01-2012 12:35AM

I don't mind it, and I've done it before, but generally not late or when it is super-crowded. Sometimes it's nice to stop into a pub on the way home for a drink and maybe an early dinner if the food is good. And on nice days, I would skip out of the office early and take some reading to a beer garden - lovely.

The one thing that used to drive me nuts about doing this in Ireland though was the fact that a lot of pubs are really dark! I used to feel like I was going blind trying to read the paper and whatnot.

Princess Peach · 24-01-2012 12:38AM

Only time I ever did was a couple of times when I got stood up by friends

I went to the campus pub alone the other night, but very quickly made friends, it was a student event

I wouldn't judge any girl that did though. I eat alone and I go to the cinema alone. I hate shopping with other girls. Don't mind travelling alone at all, pretty easy to make friends along the way and sightseeing is often better on your own schedule.

coffeeandshoes · 24-01-2012 12:54AM

Since I moved to Dublin last year with my partner I’ve really started to enjoy my own company and I have to say I highly recommend picking up a book and having some relaxing “me time” in Starbucks or a pub. It started off that I didn’t have anyone to call to go to cinema with so one day I decided to pop in on my own and I really enjoyed myself. Great opportunity to clear your head a bit, tomorrow for example I’m going vintage shopping on my lonesome

x

Caraville · 24-01-2012 02:30AM

Snoopy1 wrote: »

My next step for me is to go on holiday on my own !!

Oh do it! I did it last summer and was so nervous but it was one of the best things I've done in my life. Felt like a bit of a saddo at first but then got so into it and soaked up every minute. Looking back I am so proud of myself that I did it. Just plan everything well and you'll be fine . Holidays with other people seem quite hellish since!

careymary · 24-01-2012 08:40AM

wow, its great to see so many posters are comfortable with going to the pub by themselves, I really havent experienced that amongst my friends
Like many other posters have said I have gone on holiday by myself, actually a few times now - which i really enjoy
I also go to the Cinema, shoppping and anything else that crosses my mind by myself, the pub has always been a bit of a taboo though, glad to see not evryone thinks that way!

leahyl · 24-01-2012 10:15AM

Lia_lia wrote: »

I wouldn't. But that's because I don't really like drinking anyway. I only really go to bars to meet friends. I've been to the cinema by myself. And do most things alone like shopping//going to the gym/often take trips around the country alone.

I have often seen women go for drinks alone, nothing wrong with it!

Some girls are weird about doing social things alone. I know a lot of girls who won't even step into a bar/club alone and they text or call their friends to meet them outside. What's that all about! Some girls won't even go shopping alone because it makes them look like a "loner". I personally hate shopping with other people!

I'm afraid that's me:o I hate going into pubs on my own - usually cos when I'm due to meet my friends they're never there on time so I'm left standing there waiting for them and I just feel uncomfortable!

Everything else is fine though!

24-01-2012 10:51AM

i wouldn't be going into a pub unless i was meeting people to be honest

don't mind the cinema on my own, it can be quite fun

wouldn't see the point in going to a restaurant on my own, i'd view that more for socialising as well - would eat in a cafe or whatever myself if i was in town and hungry

Honey-ec · 24-01-2012 01:50PM

bluewolf wrote: »

wouldn't see the point in going to a restaurant on my own, i'd view that more for socialising as well

Table for one with a book and a glass of wine (or several) is one of life's little pleasures.

24-01-2012 01:51PM

Honey-ec wrote: »

Table for one with a book and a glass of wine (or several) is one of life's little pleasures.

Fair enough... I don't drink wine, and I'd rather be curled up at home with my book

old hippy · 24-01-2012 01:53PM

I know plenty of ladies who drink in pubs on their own. They go there to relax and socialise just like us menfolk do. Fancy that

doctor evil · 24-01-2012 05:14PM

I went to cafe and read the paper and had a lovely sandwich, it was bliss.

I have no problem doing anything on my own. I don't really understand those that can't bear to go anywhere by themselves, I kind of get it if your a young teen but a grown woman, come on!

Firekitten · 24-01-2012 06:22PM

I used to do it loads at uni... During the summer, our house didn't get the net connected till we all came back in the autumn, so I used to pop down to the local pup which had free wifi, and have a few cokes, maybe lunch, and surf the net. I think I got more odd looks for the laptop than being a girl, though It may be different in a studenty area vs a normal town vs the country. I certainly wouldn't like to walk into a 'village' pub on my own...

starlit · 24-01-2012 11:11PM

Been to the pub on my own a few time for a quick and quiet drink. Just for the buzz but generally go to the pub with friends or meet them there.

Azureus · 25-01-2012 09:16AM

I think the pub is one of the few places I wouldnt go to alone. Cinema no problem, dont mind eating alone, shopping is definately a one person affair, but the pub? No thanks. I dont mind sitting there on my own for an hour if friends are running late or something but I wouldnt intentionally go for a pint with a book or something-like bluewolf said I'd much rather by curled up at home with a book, and if I wanted a drink with it I could crack open a bottle of wine or have a beer for a third of the price.

smallerthanyou · 25-01-2012 09:27AM

I'd like to think i'm quite happy in own company. Often gone for food and a glass of wine. But now i think of it i always have to have something to read and i'd never go somewhere people might recognise me cos they might think me a saddo so i still have steps to take to be entirely comfortable

old hippy · 25-01-2012 02:35PM

smallerthanyou wrote: »

I'd like to think i'm quite happy in own company. Often gone for food and a glass of wine. But now i think of it i always have to have something to read and i'd never go somewhere people might recognise me cos they might think me a saddo so i still have steps to take to be entirely comfortable

Ach, who cares what other people think? If you were dancing on the tables singing Jedward, then they might have cause to scrutinise you

:D

doriansmith · 25-01-2012 03:42PM

I've gone to the pub alone once or twice while travelling abroad but that was in backpacker areas where you knew there'd be other solo travellers looking for someone to chat to. Wouldn't really have any interest in going to the pub alone at home. I've no problem going in alone & waiting for other people though. I find it strange that a lot of girls won't do that.

And I hate shopping with friends, I almost always go shopping alone. You'd have to be seriously insecure to be scared that people thought you were weird for shopping alone!

Would you go to the pub by yourself?

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