Right on. I do sometimes notice when people dine out alone, but I don't see it as strange or lesser than. I really just see them as a strong person, and wonder about their story.

I used to dine out a lot by myself. At first it is strange, but you can get over it. Other people assume you are traveling or working late. The waitstaff tend to pay more attention to you in my experience. Places I frequented would do things like bring me tea right away.

I still dine out alone at times because my family doesn't like some of the places I like to eat (spicy foods mostly) and I don't care what anyone thinks, it doesn't bother me.

There's so much more to it than embarrassment when grief is involved.

For me it felt pathetic because their absence overshadowed absolutely everything else, making it all feel wasted, from the effort to get out of the house to the order to eating to returning home.

It didn't matter if the restaurant or bar was full or empty, what others thought about me never crossed my mind, because all I could think about was the empty seat across from me, the empty stool next to me. Why bother when I can feel like that at home?

That's it, right there. It's less about what I imagine people around me are thinking and more about that inner critic. It's a hard thing to silence.

> Why bother when I can feel like that at home?

Well, the food is better, mostly.

I wish this were true, but I can tell when someone thinks I'm a weirdo for eating out alone. Just a month or two ago I went to a McMenamins (a pub/restaurant chain in Oregon and Washington) to have lunch and poke on my laptop, and the guy seating me literally asked if I didn't, like, have a wife or kids or anything.

What a rude host, damn.

"They died in a car accident. Thanks for asking."

"Yes, they came last week, and i wanted to see if you're as big a cunt as they said you were."

You're not a weirdo. That host is a weirdo.

If a one penny tip was ever warranted, this is the time.

Probably wanted to scout if you’re on a business trip and more likely to tip. Don’t assume malice…

None of his business. It's an absolutely rude comment no matter what the reason is.

Hard to judge, if you weren't there and don't know what was said verbatim, don't you think ? You may be right, but you also may be very wrong. I really dislike the piling on in thread. Jeez!

If a buzzy restaurant or show has a long queue outside you can usually skip it on your own. Feels very cool!

I was bored, went to a pub alone once, played pool with random people, was quite fun. For couple of hours. But didn’t like it as a general habit. But no one cared.