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“How many?” The hostess asks me, looking around.
“One,” I reply, proudly, swinging around my big, fat, errr, wallet.
This scene has been playing out a lot for me. Being on the road for work, you have to just embrace the eating alone lifestyle. And I have to say, it’s quite nice.
Maybe you think it looks weird. Maybe you’re self-conscious about being the only person in the joint without someone to dine with. And yeah, I’ll admit it looks pretty anti-social, like fucking Steven Glansberg. And when you’re on the road for work, sure, you could stay in your hotel room and order room service. It’s essentially the same as Seamless, which we all do practically every night, anyway. Won’t blame you if that’s your speed limit. You do you.
But word to Big Bird? I think you’re more of a lunatic if you stay in your hotel room and do the room service thing than, say, venturing down to the hotel bar, or taking a stroll around the neighborhood, firing open Yelp for the dope eats around you.
I used to sheepishly sidle up to the hotel bar and try and hide in the corner. I’m by no means an introvert. Quite the opposite actually. So the thought of eating alone like the mutants over at table nine used to freak me the fuck out. But I’ve been on the road a lot, and I don’t really have a choice, save for whipping out the back pages and paying an escort a few hundy bingo dingos to sit with me. So I just went for it, sat alone. Took it for a spin. And after I gave it a try, I was hooked.
Now? I strut my fine ass up the hostess demanding the best seat in the house. Because eating alone at a restaurant is frickin’ enjoyable.
Everyone likes restaurants. If you don’t, you’re missing your amygdala. Restaurants are pure heat electrical fires. Being waited on hand and foot? Having someone deliver you wine and a hot meal? When you think about it, the restaurant was essentially invented to make you feel like a king of the county, queen of the castle, lord of the manor. So, when I’m eating on the company dime, why the hellll would I eschew this opportunity to stay in my room like Quasimodo?
I wouldn’t. You wouldn’t. So now, we’re eating at the restaurant alone. Now what?
Literally anything, and that’s the point. What an amazing reprieve it is to have the whole entire restaurant at your disposal, unbound from the shackles of company. Your date for the night is completely up to you. A great novel? Your Twitter feed? Maybe you throw on an album as you dine. (Last night I rolled with the beautifully written Plans by Death Cab for Cutie).
I’m not saying I don’t like company when I eat. Far from it. But once and a while? It’s fucking pure bliss to still get that five star experience without having to listen to someone else’s shitty stories. I can just sit there, zone out, and just enjoy the shit out of the restaurant. If I want to stare blankly at the game on the TV? Guess what, I can do it. If I want to stare at my phone instead of talking to you? Guess what, I can do it. Tonight? I’m sitting next to the ocean here in Santa Monica, crushing some pinot grig with a few ice cubes, big ‘ol piece of wild caught fish, and typing out some lava flames content for you freak-a-leeks.
Are we going to want to make a habit of this dining alone mumbo jumbo? No, because I’m not a social outcast. But once and a while when I’m on the road for work? Frickin’ love it. Give it a shot..
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Boston Max
Spending my retirement fund at Trader Joe's and trying to remember to check my mailbox semi-regularly
@BostonMaxG
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Love this take. You never know who you’ll end up talking to sitting at the bar to eat alone. And sitting solo at a table with a book is a straight up power move.
Great take. There’s no better way to learn how people live than sitting at the bar, and meeting them while you travel.
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I try to go to dinner by myself once every few weeks and always sit at the bar. Great spot.
Damn right it is. Recently went to a ball game by myself and that is also an underrated experience.
Never would have thought of it but live baseball alone sounds DOPE.
Huge fan of the solo diner breakfast. If you’re up early and it’s not super busy, it’s a great way to enjoy a quiet meal, get some coffee, read the news and just start your day right.
At school I’d do this almost every morning after finishing my workout and before class. Great way to refuel, decompress, and prepare for the day ahead. 100% in favor of the solo diner breakfast.
Getting coffee or a drink alone at somewhere with a view is also super-underrated.
Pretty sure it’s not…everyone enjoys that
Literally did this today for lunch. Visiting a friend who moved to a new state and she has to work, so I’m on my own. It’s glorious.
Sup?
I’m really anxious to see if this works out^
I like this mood, as a waitress I try to be extra nice but not annoying to one person tables. On a side note, the one person tables that mistake me for their dining companion can go to hell… we are busy and I don’t have time for to talk to you about the “google fiber” or how I need a telephone at my house… just saying…
I like this move, especially outside. Take your lunch to go and enjoy the weather
I agree, but not during the summer. 95 degrees and 90% humidity is pure hell.
100% agree with this take. If you don’t dine alone on a solo business trip, it’s a squandered opportunity.
Half the time I do this I get a free drink/app. You’re spot on.
Plans is a great album. One of my favorites in high school, and just as listenable now.