this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2024
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Are people actually scared of eating out alone? (hilariouschaos.com)
submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I recently stumbled upon a video discussing how many people feel uncomfortable or even anxious at the thought of dining alone in a restaurant. The idea seemed to be that sitting by yourself in a public place, surrounded by groups or couples, could trigger feelings of self-consciousness or awkwardness. I found it interesting and wondered if this is a common experience. Do a lot of people really get freaked out by the idea of eating alone in a restaurant? Have you ever felt this way, or do you think it’s perfectly fine to enjoy a meal by yourself?

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

A lot of people are self concious about doing things alone that they rarely see other people do alone. Media mocking it also plays a part.

In the case of restaurants, someone eating alone at a diner, especially at the counter, is really common. Even eating alone at a table in a diner is a common thing to see in person or in movies/tv.

Someone eating alone at a fancy restaurant or even a chain restaurant is less common in a lot of places and frequently used as a joke in movies and tv. The 'when will your guest arrive?' trope reintorces the expectation, and isn't uncommon in real life either. Self concious people refrain from doing it, people don't see others do it, and it becomes a reinforcing loop that happens in a lot of places, but certainly not everywhere.

I used to think it was unusual because of the social expectations, but notlw I frequently eat alone on business trips and don't think about it anymore. Yes, wait staff do frequently ask about who will be joining me and occasionally give weird looks when I say I'm eating alone. This is way less likely in larger cities.