Dining alone do you get squashed in the corner?

[JohnM]

+1 I can always make a meal out of the most meagre Exec Lounge canapés (and quaff some dodgy wine I wouldn't look twice at in Vintage Cellars) and I don't feel silly browsing on my iPad.
I'm happy to do breakfast or lunch alone but prefer to retreat to the Lounge if there's nothing organised for dinner.
Perhaps I need to get out more

You do, PF, you do :mrgreen:.

 

[blackcat20]

What is with the old? At least you get hit on!

Well, he was older than me, and so inebriated he couldn't take a hint. Not the kind of guy I want to be hit on by...

 

[cove]

I don't cook much so when I am alone in Sydney I walk to Aria with my IPad. If a ship is leaving I will watch it go. If not i will just get a light beer and do one or two courses. Going the other direction I go to the Stamford as it is never too busy for one.
As a "local"both places work for me when I am away from Perth.
They haven't ever given me a dreadful seat as they know I will be gone inside 90 minutes.

 

[JohnM]

I don't cook much so when I am alone in Sydney I walk to Aria with my IPad. If a ship is leaving I will watch it go. If not i will just get a light beer and do one or two courses. Going the other direction I go to the Stamford as it is never too busy for one.
As a "local"both places work for me when I am away from Perth.
They haven't ever given me a dreadful seat as they know I will be gone inside 90 minutes.

I think you get a slightly better view from Quay....

 

[Pollywaffle]

Most of my o/seas travel is solo. I prefer to stay in apartments and even with a kitchen at my disposal, I eat out a lot more than I do at home. I can't recall a time I have been led to (what I would consider) a bad table. If I was, I would decline.

I like at-bar dining only if it's set up well - seats with backs, enough room, does not double for an area to order/buy drinks. The best experiences for this type of set up tend to be in the US but I find more cities are adopting this practice. I am happy to chat to people but I am equally happy to sit and read, ponder or people watch.

I think restaurateurs and their staff that do treat solo diners as second rate are potentially losing out on business. There have been several examples where couples near me have done a one course or fixed price meal, while I have ordered 2-3 courses plus wine plus coughtails in one sitting. I am sure they made more profit from me than the couples.

My most aggravating dining experiences are in the US where wait staff have felt the need to point out to me local tipping customs. But that's a story for another thread...

 

[cove]

Many AFFers are experienced lodgers at Hilton's and other hotel chains. I rarely need a hotel room but I can see how the nibbles and drinks in a Hilton executive lounge washed down with some wines can do the trick of "that will do for dinner".
As for the Quay restaurant I can see it but they say they are booked out until Christmas 2030 or something like that when I have called.
Dinner for one can be difficult if you let that get to you so the IPad or smartphone really helps between drinks or food arriving at your table.

 

[JohnM]

I think restaurateurs and their staff that do treat solo diners as second rate are potentially losing out on business. There have been several examples where couples near me have done a one course or fixed price meal, while I have ordered 2-3 courses plus wine plus coughtails in one sitting. I am sure they made more profit from me than the couples.

+1 - many times. The wine list is my weakness - but I love it!

 

[Bundy Bear]

That is why Facebook was invented, you should never have to eat alone, or even AFF for that matter, if you have to eat alone in a big city you just haven't been proactive enough or not have enough Facebook friends.

 

[harvyk]

The seats I'm given when dining alone tend to be the same as when I am with others. In both cases it's been a mix between the best and worst seats (with everything in between) in the house.

My most memorable experience was in a restaurant in NZ whilst they where busy, they where not super busy so one of the waitresses pretty much kept me company. I was placed near the bar so we had a good yarn throughout the night.

Needless to say I left a tip which is something I don't normally do outside of the US.

 

[erkpod]

Perhaps I need to get out more

Looking at your status levels, you're obviously out more than I am!

People often ask me about traveling alone & are always surprised when I say that I do it. But if I waited for someone to travel with, I wouldn't go anywhere.

I've got no dramas in eating alone. Having said that, I do enjoy meeting up with people as long as they don't spend the same time complaining about my food choices.

When I was on Amtrak earlier this year, they enforced what they called community seating. In other words, if you were solo or a couple, you had to sit with other people if there was no room.

 

[Deleted member]

Apologies in advance if this has been discussed before.

Like many others on this forum I travel alone on business. I`m curious to know what other members experiences are when dining alone. My travel is all domestic in Australia to both capital cities and regional areas. I often find when being seated I`m directed to a small table in the corner or squashed up against the wall. If there is a view at all, no chance especially if there are tables that seat more than 2 people. Now I realise that restaurants and cafes need to maximise every opportunity to put bums on seats, however I often find I`m being directed to the cheap seats even when the restaurant is all but empty. It seems like I`m treated like a second class citizen because I`m eating alone. I don`t eat in expensive restaurants, even if I did I suspect the result would be the same, or maybe I`m just being precious?

I just respond with "Is that the best you can do? " if they say yes then I say: " thanks, I will eat elsewhere bye" ( no point in arguing anymore I'm too od to waste my breath)

 

[knightman7]

When I dine alone, its just me and my iPhone or iPad, so I really don't care where they seat me. As long as I get fed and watered, I'm happy.

 

[aupirate]

When I dine alone, its just me and my iPhone or iPad, so I really don't care where they seat me. As long as I get fed and watered, I'm happy.

To a certain extent I`m the same although I`m too cheap to buy an ipad, and my boss won`t buy me one. I guess where I`m coming from is the principal, just because I`m on my own why should the better seats be offered to someone else even when there are loads available. At first when I travelled alone I was a little self conscious about eating by myself, now I couldn`t care less, chat to people if I`m in the mood or do FB, chat to my wife or other family members. Like eating at the bar, did that in San Diego once and enjoyed the experience, doesn`t seem to happen much where I travel anyway.

 

[Archphoto]

Previously it happened quite often, but I now actually request I be seated near a window (if there's a view). I get a little tired of being thrown down the back, simply because I'm dining alone - I would like to experience the ambience like everyone else.

It's not being precious IMHO, you'd like to be shown the same courtesy as a couple or group; how many tables do you see set for one anyway?

If I want a booth or table away from the crowds, I'm happy to grab one, but being sent to the "backroom" all the time, does become tiresome. Do they feel people will think less of them because a single diner is closer to the door/sitting near a window?

Some of the 5* hotels I've stayed at have been great in this respect - they show me to a nice table and provide the daily paper for me to read, that way you aren't sitiing there feeling a little out of place, and it helps the time pass by too.

Living in BKK these days I do eat alone often, but I choose a seat that I want when I go to a restaurant, and my local always takes me to my favourite, right at the front overlooking a lovely garden.

 

[amaroo]

I do weekly commuting for work and really struggle with lone dining......no worries for breakfast/lunch.

However, I've found a solution that works for me......for some reason I find bench dining acceptable. I'm lucky that my commute is to the CBD of Sydney therefore, I've got plenty of options - Sushi Trains, DJ's food hall, countless cafes/restaurants and a long time favourite - Chinta Ria

Very tasty curry laksa that I enjoyed last night

 

[Boris spatsky]

I do weekly commuting for work and really struggle with lone dining......no worries for breakfast/lunch.

However, I've found a solution that works for me......for some reason I find bench dining acceptable. I'm lucky that my commute is to the CBD of Sydney therefore, I've got plenty of options - Sushi Trains, DJ's food hall, countless cafes/restaurants and a long time favourite - Chinta Ria

Very tasty curry laksa that I enjoyed last night

I must admit that if i don't have an iphone/ipad, after 5 minutes of sitting by myself at dinner i feel rather self conscious. No idea why...

 

[JohnK]

That is why Facebook was invented, you should never have to eat alone, or even AFF for that matter, if you have to eat alone in a big city you just haven't been proactive enough or not have enough Facebook friends.

I have dinner alone most nights. I knew I should have joined Facebook!

About to cook some seafood mix in oil with onion, garlic and capsicum.

 

[aupirate]

I have dinner alone most nights. I knew I should have joined Facebook!

About to cook some seafood mix in oil with onion, garlic and capsicum.

Alas all is not lost just had a great steak, not to bad wine, great company with frequent flyer. Enjoy your seafood!

 

[Pollywaffle]

I must admit that if i don't have an iphone/ipad, after 5 minutes of sitting by myself at dinner i feel rather self conscious. No idea why...

I might have felt self-concious in my 20s but these days it doesn't bother me. I suppose it's because I do most of my personal travel by myself. No one else is interested and I am not missing out on seeing the world just because I don't choose to strong-arm someone into coming with me.

Thinking more about this topic, I remember last year not being able to book a table using an online reservation tool. Adding a second diner, and up popped any number of tables. I ended up calling the restaurant and they did take my booking (and seated me in a prime position) but the call was overseas, so it did cost.

 

[JohnM]

I might have felt self-concious in my 20s but these days it doesn't bother me. I suppose it's because I do most of my personal travel by myself. No one else is interested and I am not missing out on seeing the world just because I don't choose to strong-arm someone into coming with me.

Thinking more about this topic, I remember last year not being able to book a table using an online reservation tool. Adding a second diner, and up popped any number of tables. I ended up calling the restaurant and they did take my booking (and seated me in a prime position) but the call was overseas, so it did cost.

I can recall having a similar situation, I think only once, where the online booking engine wasn't configured for <2. Can't recall whether it was overseas or interstate. I think I emailed them.