I’ve been dining solo for years. It’s a pleasure. There are plenty of activities to hold your attention these days (phone, book, magazine, people-watching, enjoying the scenery) or it’s an opportunity to chat with interesting strangers from near or far. I’m in several social media solo travel groups. One has well over 600k members. It’s kind of a movement. Restaurants are wise to welcome solos with open arms!
Same here 😊trying to figure out why this is a thing 🙄 maybe because most places focused on families and couples and pretty much ignored the single market until they realized they pay money’s for services too🤨🤔
Decades of business travel meant I had to get used to solo dining; and I grew to appreciate it! I definitely get to interact with the establishment and their product more intimately.
I have dined solo on and off for 4 decades. I never felt there was a stigma. There were just some restaurants that treated you well and some that viewed you as an inconvenience and as taking a table away from a couple who would spend more. You learn where to go.
I used to do this all the time, i had a girlfriend but chose her days off to go and have lunch on my own, so much cheaper and you can just relax and take your time.
i took myself out to dinner for the first time the other month (im 25) and it was so nice to just spend time with myself. lots of eyes and people wondering what im doing but i just dove into a book while waiting for my food
I started eating alone even before we had smartphones. Back then, it was just enjoyable / relaxing to space out. Think about nothing, random thoughts or stuff that was important. (smartphones ruined it a bit.)
It shows you have more balls than them because they feel dependent on other people for their validation in life while you don’t need that. You’re a real one and they’re fake
@@peachnecctar1658 “lots of eyes wondering what im doing”- as a frequent solo diner, i doubt this. People are in their own world & dont care what youre doing. Similar to going to the gym.
"Over the years there was a time when there was no solo dining." That is an absurd statement. I'm 63 years old and have been dining solo for decades. There are libraries filled with books and articles about solo dining and solo travel. The travel industry has been catering to soloists for decades. Time Magazine, really?
He may have worded it badly but he has a point. I've been dining solo since I was 18 and even though no one was stopping you from eating alone, there was a stigma to it. In my youth if you were eating alone in certain establishments, especially diners, you can feel the air of judgment from others. The many couples will look at you like some weird foreigner and waiters and waitresses would purposely stall service in favor of those with couples or family. There was definite prejudice towards solo diners back in the 90's and 2000's when I was young. Nowadays, especially more notably post C-vid, there's definitely a lot more people dining alone and several couples learning to mind their own business and not look at solo diners as lepers. Millennials and Gen Z are definitely more tolerable and even eat alone themselves. It's the Gen Xers and definitely Boomers who find it strange and have questions because of course, it wasn't the norm for them in their time.
Love this! Because I LOVE going out for breakfast and lunch by myself. I prefer it. I've been doing it for over 20 years. Most wait staff are accommodating. But there was one waiter at a beautiful French Restaurant who acted so weird that I was dining alone. It was obviously his issue, not mine. But it was an awkward experience. Restaurants should train their staff to greet solo diners as usual.
Yes, or just be mindful. Offer a smaller table where the room can be seen, or a window seat, or a nice corner at the bar and perhaps a magazine or paper, then proceed as usual. Do not seat in the middle of a long bench, where people sit face to face! Do not offer unsolicited sympathy or ask why the person is alone. Just cater to your guests needs. No need to make a guest feel awkward when they are there to provide their custom and spend their money. Hospitality is meant to feel hospitable!
It’s nice to have companion at times but there are also times one just wants to be left alone and be there to chill and do whatever, ponder the meaning of life if you will.
I’ve been solo dining for decades. Nice to see things are changing but I haven’t yet experienced it. Many places don’t allow singles to get a reservation. Oh you see a 1 but many of the dates or times are full. Change number to 2 people and voila many dates times open up. If you walk in, I am often offered to sit at bar (tough on my 4’11 short legs and arms over my shoulders to touch table top), next to waiter station, next to bathroom, near kitchen door, in front of the front door. Any dark corner. One time I was seated in a corner facing a wall. I usually just find some places that treat me well and I go back often. If new place, I bring someone.
I used to be so concerned dining alone, but now it's like 0 f-s given haha. Like it's great to treat yourself. I always bring a book too :) Also was super impressed by that guest book restaurant! Like what a great idea!! :O
Love the book that other diners have signed. Such a great idea. Went to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil. I was solo & went to get breakfast at a restaurant in the hotel/casino. There was a long line & when I got to the front, the person asked me where my +1 was. I told her I was alone. She said, "But it's two for $10." (this was ages ago). I repeated that I didn't have anyone with me, and she repeated the 2 for $10 line. We went round and round like this until I finally said, "It's ok, I'll pay the $10." In the end, I think they just charged me $5. But that was when I realized that solo dining seemed way out of the ordinary to some people.
Who cares...? I drove past an apartment complex yesterday and I could hear a couple screaming at each other...!!! Focus on being happy with yourself. It's so important to truly know yourself and have a purpose in life. Family, friends, partners can be a blessing or curse in that path of self discovery!
I’ve done this before. Never bothered me. In fact, it can be a very relaxing and pleasant experience. I’ve also seen others doing it, always thought it was normal, now is a thing?
I like solo dining except for Chinese restaurants. I love family style and sharing my choice with my friends or family. Chinese food on my own isn't the same.
@@13Amazons I’m Chinese American and have found some Chinese restaurants are great for solo dining. Have to avoid the family style menus or multiple course menus, of course. The ones that are hyper focused on one dish or specialty. I always forget that American portions are huge and that I ought to share food with a friend. We always order separate entrees and then realize it’s too much food. Some of my friends love sharing food but others don’t seem to enjoy the family style concept.
At the start of the video, he mentioned the word stigma. As a solo diner, I am happy to say have never felt stigma present in my solo dining experiences and I've eaten alone in restaurants for many, many years.
I’ve been doing this my whole life, I didn’t even know there was stigma attached to dining alone at restaurants. Usually the staff will give me extra attention and I tip well
Since my darling husband died January 2022 I have done a lot of solo dining out at restaurants. I prefer company & have been shouting a male friend out for a few meals as he picks me up & we go places that's not easy for me to get to
I enjoy dining alone; However, the reaction from staff can be less than desirable. Not all establishments welcome the single diner. I’ve been ignored, treated like a pariah, one manager came to my table to tell me that I could buy things online and build a point system, I didn’t need to actually come in person. It’s been an interesting journey. I have noticed that I get better service in larger cities , but in smaller areas, I’ve dealt with the aforementioned.
Do people not go out to eat on their own? I've always done this. I'd go out and find a restaurant that I wanted to eat at and enjoy a meal by myself usually after a day of shopping. It's fine to just go out by yourself and experience things on your own. I encourage more to do that.
Let's not kid ourselves. In the context of a loneliness crisis, we are going to believe the assumption that the prevailing theme behind solo dining is confidence? Please. It is because we are more disconnected than ever.
Erm... This isn't a new thing at all. I can remember in the 80s and 90s that solo dining was a thing. I regularly went solo dining because I would try anything I could get on a plate best out of three... And lots of places had single seats, so it can't have just been me. Maybe it was a British thing and only now catching on in America? I know the French have dealt with solo dining, I regularly used to nip over to France for day trips and they had solo tables, too.
The loneliness epidemic has come to the diner. But honestly, it’s better to go it alone, than to be home alone. While I appreciate having people with me, I’m also not gonna let not having someone with me stop me from going out either.
I am an old geezer. Retired. Single. Terrible, terrible cook. That means I eat at least one, usually two meals a day in a restaurant. Usually solo. I try and sit at the bar. Counter at breakfast, if it’s a diner. God, I love me a dependable old-fashioned diner. 👍
Not unusual for me to eat alone, been single most of my adult life. What I witness the most these days are tables with multiple people, all looking at their phones.
When you’re off doing stuff, you can’t bring friends or can’t pay for them. I’ve always preferred dining alone, prefer sitting in bar area drinking water and killing my food
I'm too much in my own head, to where I could ever do this lol. Like sitting at a burger restaurant or bar alone? Yeah I could do that all day. But anywhere else where it would look out of place, I'd get too self conscious. Respect to those that can get out they comfort zone tho.
@@chrislim7976 it would be weird to mandate that people had to have a chaperone to eat dinner. It is unlikely to be everyone in the restaurant, but I frequently dine alone because I am not near home and need food and want something better than fast food.
@@ariaflame-au It's weird you think anything needs to be mandated and make stuff up. Given free choice and all things being equal you win the weird award. When in reality everyone in a restaurant eating with others does actually exist.
The lady eating solo does looked lonely and depressed though. So it's probably not by choice that she is eating alone. On the other hand I enjoy dining out with people I like as well as alone.
@@pavelow235 that might be your experience, but I have no desire to have someone to live with or children. I would be a terrible spouse or parent, why should I inflict that on someone else?
My friend used to make fun of me for going to restaurants alone. I didn't understand why I need people to accompany me if I wanted to eat something.
I’ve been dining solo for years. It’s a pleasure. There are plenty of activities to hold your attention these days (phone, book, magazine, people-watching, enjoying the scenery) or it’s an opportunity to chat with interesting strangers from near or far. I’m in several social media solo travel groups. One has well over 600k members. It’s kind of a movement. Restaurants are wise to welcome solos with open arms!
Same here 😊trying to figure out why this is a thing 🙄 maybe because most places focused on families and couples and pretty much ignored the single market until they realized they pay money’s for services too🤨🤔
I hope it's a temporary movement because humans are the best social beings though it's not mandated😊
Decades of business travel meant I had to get used to solo dining; and I grew to appreciate it! I definitely get to interact with the establishment and their product more intimately.
You have been living the good life!
It's called confidence
Eating alone in a resto requires confidence? 😂
@@phoenix5054well, being too insecure to eat alone because you're afraid of being judged is not confidence. Right?
I have dined solo on and off for 4 decades. I never felt there was a stigma. There were just some restaurants that treated you well and some that viewed you as an inconvenience and as taking a table away from a couple who would spend more. You learn where to go.
I used to do this all the time, i had a girlfriend but chose her days off to go and have lunch on my own, so much cheaper and you can just relax and take your time.
i took myself out to dinner for the first time the other month (im 25) and it was so nice to just spend time with myself. lots of eyes and people wondering what im doing but i just dove into a book while waiting for my food
I started eating alone even before we had smartphones. Back then, it was just enjoyable / relaxing to space out. Think about nothing, random thoughts or stuff that was important.
(smartphones ruined it a bit.)
It shows you have more balls than them because they feel dependent on other people for their validation in life while you don’t need that. You’re a real one and they’re fake
@@Rico401Prov good way to view it :) I don’t envy people who can’t be alone. I’m my own best friend haha
@@peachnecctar1658 “lots of eyes wondering what im doing”- as a frequent solo diner, i doubt this. People are in their own world & dont care what youre doing. Similar to going to the gym.
@@robertc6293 no, I kept having families looking over at me and I had a couple ask what I was doing alone
I'm a solo diner at times and love being able to. Love to hear places are making this more available.
The risotto with scallops looked pretty tasty.
Yes it did.
I have been eating alone for years. I absolutely love eating alone as I find it way more peaceful & fun as well.
I solo dine and DGAF
When dining by myself I put my reservation under Hans "Solo" party of Obi "One" !
@@joekerr7975 😂 love that
I am a single grandad age 59..i hv been dine alone since 2018..and l love it💞💞💞
I enjoying my table for one, especially with my earphone watching Netflix on my phone.
Its a self care thing as well
Lol no the the Netflix. How could you eat at a nice place with nice food and watch Netflix at the same time? 😂
Defeats the whole point just get take out
I love reading a book
"Over the years there was a time when there was no solo dining." That is an absurd statement. I'm 63 years old and have been dining solo for decades. There are libraries filled with books and articles about solo dining and solo travel. The travel industry has been catering to soloists for decades. Time Magazine, really?
@@GinaGreenlee exactly. Same here. Odd statement
He may have worded it badly but he has a point. I've been dining solo since I was 18 and even though no one was stopping you from eating alone, there was a stigma to it. In my youth if you were eating alone in certain establishments, especially diners, you can feel the air of judgment from others. The many couples will look at you like some weird foreigner and waiters and waitresses would purposely stall service in favor of those with couples or family.
There was definite prejudice towards solo diners back in the 90's and 2000's when I was young. Nowadays, especially more notably post C-vid, there's definitely a lot more people dining alone and several couples learning to mind their own business and not look at solo diners as lepers. Millennials and Gen Z are definitely more tolerable and even eat alone themselves. It's the Gen Xers and definitely Boomers who find it strange and have questions because of course, it wasn't the norm for them in their time.
Everything is too damn expensive so we eat alone. Would cost an arm and a leg to go with family or friends
I always sit at the bar and just vibe alone 😂
Love this! Because I LOVE going out for breakfast and lunch by myself. I prefer it. I've been doing it for over 20 years.
Most wait staff are accommodating. But there was one waiter at a beautiful French Restaurant who acted so weird that I was dining alone. It was obviously his issue, not mine. But it was an awkward experience. Restaurants should train their staff to greet solo diners as usual.
Yes, or just be mindful. Offer a smaller table where the room can be seen, or a window seat, or a nice corner at the bar and perhaps a magazine or paper, then proceed as usual. Do not seat in the middle of a long bench, where people sit face to face! Do not offer unsolicited sympathy or ask why the person is alone. Just cater to your guests needs. No need to make a guest feel awkward when they are there to provide their custom and spend their money. Hospitality is meant to feel hospitable!
I love eating at the bar by myself!! It was my favorite thing to do in my 20s
It’s nice to have companion at times but there are also times one just wants to be left alone and be there to chill and do whatever, ponder the meaning of life if you will.
Now i know why people stare at me when i eat by myself in the states. It's a really normal thing in asia.
Thanks to not having a spouse and children and my outings dining solo, I can afford to eat out more often than families are able to
I’ve been solo dining for decades. Nice to see things are changing but I haven’t yet experienced it. Many places don’t allow singles to get a reservation. Oh you see a 1 but many of the dates or times are full. Change number to 2 people and voila many dates times open up. If you walk in, I am often offered to sit at bar (tough on my 4’11 short legs and arms over my shoulders to touch table top), next to waiter station, next to bathroom, near kitchen door, in front of the front door. Any dark corner. One time I was seated in a corner facing a wall. I usually just find some places that treat me well and I go back often. If new place, I bring someone.
I used to be so concerned dining alone, but now it's like 0 f-s given haha. Like it's great to treat yourself. I always bring a book too :) Also was super impressed by that guest book restaurant! Like what a great idea!! :O
Love the book that other diners have signed. Such a great idea. Went to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil. I was solo & went to get breakfast at a restaurant in the hotel/casino. There was a long line & when I got to the front, the person asked me where my +1 was. I told her I was alone. She said, "But it's two for $10." (this was ages ago). I repeated that I didn't have anyone with me, and she repeated the 2 for $10 line. We went round and round like this until I finally said, "It's ok, I'll pay the $10." In the end, I think they just charged me $5. But that was when I realized that solo dining seemed way out of the ordinary to some people.
Who cares...?
I drove past an apartment complex yesterday and I could hear a couple screaming at each other...!!!
Focus on being happy with yourself. It's so important to truly know yourself and have a purpose in life.
Family, friends, partners can be a blessing or curse in that path of self discovery!
Is that new? I've been doing this for at least 4 decades!
Good idea
0:24 What is this guy talking about? I've been doing this for a long time in the Bay Area (mostly SF).
I didn't know that people didn't solo dine. I used to do that when I just wanted a nice meal and a few drinks.
I’ve done this before. Never bothered me. In fact, it can be a very relaxing and pleasant experience. I’ve also seen others doing it, always thought it was normal, now is a thing?
I didn’t know this was weird 😂
I like solo dining except for Chinese restaurants. I love family style and sharing my choice with my friends or family. Chinese food on my own isn't the same.
@@13Amazons I’m Chinese American and have found some Chinese restaurants are great for solo dining. Have to avoid the family style menus or multiple course menus, of course. The ones that are hyper focused on one dish or specialty. I always forget that American portions are huge and that I ought to share food with a friend. We always order separate entrees and then realize it’s too much food. Some of my friends love sharing food but others don’t seem to enjoy the family style concept.
I don't have friends. My family don't like eating other types of cuisines.
They are overcharging them!
At the start of the video, he mentioned the word stigma. As a solo diner, I am happy to say have never felt stigma present in my solo dining experiences and I've eaten alone in restaurants for many, many years.
I’ve been doing this my whole life, I didn’t even know there was stigma attached to dining alone at restaurants. Usually the staff will give me extra attention and I tip well
Since my darling husband died January 2022 I have done a lot of solo dining out at restaurants. I prefer company & have been shouting a male friend out for a few meals as he picks me up & we go places that's not easy for me to get to
As they should ❤🍷 I often dine alone & very much enjoy doing so 😁
Is this still taboo in Burlington VT outside of diners?
I enjoy dining alone; However, the reaction from staff can be less than desirable. Not all establishments welcome the single diner. I’ve been ignored, treated like a pariah, one manager came to my table to tell me that I could buy things online and build a point system, I didn’t need to actually come in person. It’s been an interesting journey. I have noticed that I get better service in larger cities , but in smaller areas, I’ve dealt with the aforementioned.
👍 Stay solo stay happy.
#SoloAndHappy
Do people not go out to eat on their own? I've always done this. I'd go out and find a restaurant that I wanted to eat at and enjoy a meal by myself usually after a day of shopping. It's fine to just go out by yourself and experience things on your own. I encourage more to do that.
Let's not kid ourselves. In the context of a loneliness crisis, we are going to believe the assumption that the prevailing theme behind solo dining is confidence? Please. It is because we are more disconnected than ever.
that's exactly my thoughts i actually hate doing stuff alone all the time
Good.
I could NEVER do this, I just take food to go and eat alone in the privacy of my residence
How come CBS and Times magazine covered the same topic in less than a week?
Yeah! Screw Jonah Hill’s character in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall!”
It’s fine to dine by yourself!!!
I've been eating by myself for at least 20 years. This is not new and I'm not even that old
Erm... This isn't a new thing at all.
I can remember in the 80s and 90s that solo dining was a thing.
I regularly went solo dining because I would try anything I could get on a plate best out of three... And lots of places had single seats, so it can't have just been me.
Maybe it was a British thing and only now catching on in America?
I know the French have dealt with solo dining, I regularly used to nip over to France for day trips and they had solo tables, too.
The loneliness epidemic has come to the diner. But honestly, it’s better to go it alone, than to be home alone. While I appreciate having people with me, I’m also not gonna let not having someone with me stop me from going out either.
I am an old geezer. Retired. Single. Terrible, terrible cook. That means I eat at least one, usually two meals a day in a restaurant. Usually solo. I try and sit at the bar. Counter at breakfast, if it’s a diner. God, I love me a dependable old-fashioned diner. 👍
Where is solo diner
I love eating out and it’s fine in London to eat alone but back home in the suburbs not so acceptable. Shame.
Not unusual for me to eat alone, been single most of my adult life. What I witness the most these days are tables with multiple people, all looking at their phones.
When you’re off doing stuff, you can’t bring friends or can’t pay for them. I’ve always preferred dining alone, prefer sitting in bar area drinking water and killing my food
I have been dining solo for years but would love for the day when I am not greeted with “Just One?”
They just need that information. Don’t be so sensitive.
Oh this should be normal. It's called treating and spoiling yourself. Doesn't matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert too.
I'm too much in my own head, to where I could ever do this lol. Like sitting at a burger restaurant or bar alone? Yeah I could do that all day. But anywhere else where it would look out of place, I'd get too self conscious. Respect to those that can get out they comfort zone tho.
The cellphone has made it easier to dine alone.
To each their own, but I went solo dining once and it felt creepy and boring so I have never done it again.
I love to dine alone.
Imagine a restaurant where everyone is dining alone to better understand why its not ideal and frankly weird.
@@chrislim7976 it would be weird to mandate that people had to have a chaperone to eat dinner. It is unlikely to be everyone in the restaurant, but I frequently dine alone because I am not near home and need food and want something better than fast food.
@@ariaflame-au
It's weird you think anything needs to be mandated and make stuff up.
Given free choice and all things being equal you win the weird award.
When in reality everyone in a restaurant eating with others does actually exist.
Bet people start meeting their spouse's while they dine out now. 😊
Being able to eat a meal alone shouldn't be a news story. Some people need to practice being independent more often.
Im an involuntary solo diner in a way.
Insol lol
@@chrisel4349 Yeah 😅 I was thinking in that direction
I didn't know eating alone carries a stigma in the US. I thought this is an individualistic culture?
You mean a bar? You shoudn’t feel pressure to drink alcohol anymore. That’s where solo diners have always been.
I solo dine a lot and hate it. Restuts should better facilitate meetinv new people.
I'm a insodi. Involuntary solo diner.
Just pretend you're on a business trip. I traveled for work and got sick of fast food. Didn't really care what people thought of it.
hahaha, dont ruin the secret to a peaceful life,,,,,, solo dining is amazing, and now it has been called out... aarrhhhgggg
We need to normalize going out again.
In my opinion, not anything new I've always enjoyed eating alone in a restaurant it's my private pleasure over the decades
Why is this news?
solo cholo
The lady eating solo does looked lonely and depressed though.
So it's probably not by choice that she is eating alone.
On the other hand I enjoy dining out with people I like as well
as alone.
only reason i avoid solo dining is knowing how restaurants need to maximize revenue it's unfair for me to take up an entire table
Crazy I been doing this for over two decades!! Meals taste better without female company!!
kinda depresssing. tired of solo dates
This report had no substance. Journalistic empty calories.
Our society is doomed
Sad state of affairs. No Kids, No significant other is a recipe for meaninglessness and depression.
@@pavelow235 projecting
@@SimplySheilaB Correct, how else would I be able to accurately articulate this scenario. Doesn't mean I'm wrong!
@@pavelow235 that might be your experience, but I have no desire to have someone to live with or children. I would be a terrible spouse or parent, why should I inflict that on someone else?
That’s very sad.
they're less needy and more confident than you though
... and the birth rate will continue to plummet... 📉
Well given the overpopulation of the planet that could be a good thing. But I don’t know about you but I only eat in restaurants .