Eating Alone in a Restaurant | Trust Me, It's Not Weird

Cafe Lucca @ Bath, England

If you have searched for the answer to any of the following queries:

"Eating alone"

"Eating alone in a restaurant"

"How to eat alone in a restaurant"

"Tips for eating alone in a restaurant"

"Is it okay to eat alone in a restaurant?"

"Eating alone in... [London, New York City, Populated Areas, Anywhere]"

"What to do while eating alone"

"Eating alone, is it weird?"

Amaranto @ The Four Seasons  - Hotels are some of the best places to eat alone (even if you don't stay there!)

My darlings, no matter how socially unacceptable it seems to eat alone at a restaurant for any number of meals, at times, it is absolutely necessary. 

I simply do not have time to round up a group every time I'd like to eat!

An indication of supreme polish, elegance, and sophistication is the ability to handle (and even instigate) situations that others will see as uncomfortable (such as eating alone in such a self-conscious society), and handle them gracefully.

Consider this: do businesswomen on business trips always have the opportunity to round up a crew for breakfast? She cannot be bothered to call all of her coworkers the night before or morning of, checking to see if anyone would like to eat with her.

You may be thinking, "well, she would probably order room service..."

Yes, she can. But she couldn't possibly showcase a devastatingly sophisticated outfit in solitude! And do not forget, my darlings, networking does not happen in isolation!

These are just a few of the benefits and reasons why you should never worry when you need [or want] to eat alone in a restaurant:

Become a Networking Fiend           Or       Enjoy Your Time Alone and Relax 

There are two ways you can handle this situation. You can utilize this opportunity to strike up a conversation with another, like-minded individual, or use this time to relax and enjoy your meal.

Even if you only end up talking to your waiter or waitress, it could certainly make your day much better!

If you would prefer not to strike up conversation, enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, and completely disregard what you think to be everyone staring at you, when truthfully, no one cares.

Eat Where YOU Want

I have a list of so many restaurants and cafes that I would like to try in the coming months. As a polite and thoughtful human being, I prefer to alternate between the places that I would like to go, and the places my friends would like to go. 'Tis only fair.

However - it would take me eons to make it through my list at that rate!

If you have a list of places you would like to go, why wait until it's your turn to suggest a restaurant once every month?

Charge forth with reckless abandon!

Cross those items off of your list swiftly, deftly, elegantly!

Accomplish those goals, my friend, and let no one hold you back!

Bonus: No one can peer pressure you into ordering a salad! Bacon cheeseburger with fries? Yes, yes, yes!

Burger Bar @ Harrods

Confidence

This must be the greatest benefit of all.

If you do not currently have the confidence to eat alone in a restaurant, then I strongly suggest you take this step out of your comfort zone.

Learning to be comfortable with yourself is the greatest gift you can give to yourself.

[Note: for beginners, choose your destination wisely. Do a bit of research beforehand. Will the atmosphere make you feel comfortable or awkward? Would you prefer sitting at a bar?]

Do you enjoy eating alone?

Have you ever searched for tips on eating alone in restaurants?
Any thoughts? I'd love to know them!

Until next time -

Faire la bise

[Kiss kiss]

Dionna.