Have you ever been out to eat by yourself? I mean, have you gone to a real, sit-down restaurant on your own and had a meal? It isn't something that I do frequently, but I do enjoy it occasionally. A few months ago, I put together a humorous (though true) list about the positive side to dining without a group:
1. You can spread out. After all, you have the table to yourself. You can put your keys and your phone on the table without worrying if someone is going to spill something on them - especially since you can put them far away from the food.
2. You can be greedy. I went to Olive Garden last weekend, and I got to eat the ENTIRE salad. Also, all of the bread sticks were, that's right, for me. Plus, I got all of the attention from the wait staff when they came to my table.
3. You always know who the wait staff is talking to.
4. You can order as much or as little as you want without feeling awkward.
5. You don't have to worry about fitting conversation in around mouthfuls.
6. It's fun to read at restaurants.
7. Paying is much simpler. You know exactly who's going to pay. No awkward conversations about who's paying, how to split the bill, who's covering the tip, or asking the waiter to ring up every order separately.
8. You can spend as much time there as you want. You can take your time eating if you want to. Or, conversely, whenever you're ready to leave, you can. You don't have to leave your friends early, wait for your date to get done, or wait until your friend is done talking since they are your ride home. You are your own ride home!
9. No compromising when choosing where to eat. Wherever YOU'RE in the mood for is where you go.
10. You can play all kinds of pretending games, like assuming the characteristics of possible reasons why you're dining alone. For example, act like one of the following (don't say the words, just have the attitude): "I'm a secret food critic, and I'm here to judge your restaurant." "I'm on the run from the law. What's the fastest meal you've got?" "SOB! I just broke up with my boyfriend. I'm here to wallow in loathing and self-pity." "Couldn't get any reading done at home. Maybe a crowded restaurant will work." "I'm an FBI agent observing some suspects. Oh, and I might as well eat something, too."
1. You can spread out. After all, you have the table to yourself. You can put your keys and your phone on the table without worrying if someone is going to spill something on them - especially since you can put them far away from the food.
2. You can be greedy. I went to Olive Garden last weekend, and I got to eat the ENTIRE salad. Also, all of the bread sticks were, that's right, for me. Plus, I got all of the attention from the wait staff when they came to my table.
3. You always know who the wait staff is talking to.
4. You can order as much or as little as you want without feeling awkward.
5. You don't have to worry about fitting conversation in around mouthfuls.
6. It's fun to read at restaurants.
7. Paying is much simpler. You know exactly who's going to pay. No awkward conversations about who's paying, how to split the bill, who's covering the tip, or asking the waiter to ring up every order separately.
8. You can spend as much time there as you want. You can take your time eating if you want to. Or, conversely, whenever you're ready to leave, you can. You don't have to leave your friends early, wait for your date to get done, or wait until your friend is done talking since they are your ride home. You are your own ride home!
9. No compromising when choosing where to eat. Wherever YOU'RE in the mood for is where you go.
10. You can play all kinds of pretending games, like assuming the characteristics of possible reasons why you're dining alone. For example, act like one of the following (don't say the words, just have the attitude): "I'm a secret food critic, and I'm here to judge your restaurant." "I'm on the run from the law. What's the fastest meal you've got?" "SOB! I just broke up with my boyfriend. I'm here to wallow in loathing and self-pity." "Couldn't get any reading done at home. Maybe a crowded restaurant will work." "I'm an FBI agent observing some suspects. Oh, and I might as well eat something, too."