Comments on: Damn right, it’s a table for one.

By: Everywhereist

Everywhereist — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:12:38 +0000

Cynthia – that is absolutely, appallingly terrible. I am glad you walked away. They don’t deserve your money. Or anyone’s money for that matter.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:54:53 +0000

I just got back from a solo trip to the NW and hoteled, moteled, hiked, took pictures, and ate alone. Not feeling too shabby about it until I went to a cafe (almost totally empty, just after opening, in the middle of the week) where the hostess at first would only seat me outside (which was completely empty at that point) or at the equally empty bar (which was next to the door leading outside and the line up of large parties I suppose they hoped they’d soon have). I think by the incredulous look on my face she decided to relent, but then told me not to linger too long. Talk about humiliated. I did feel that way, but not because of my own preconceived notions. I decided to leave instead of giving this place my money, though the feeling of being singled out (no pun intended) was a hard one to shake. It helps when restaurants and bars (most of the ones I’ve frequented) treat all customers alike.

By: Everywhereist

Everywhereist — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:08:16 +0000

You should have cried. I bet you would have gotten your meal comped.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:03:12 +0000

Know this post is way old…but I just had to say: right on! I recently was in Barcelona with a boyfriend, and we had an arguement, and I chose to go out to eat by myself to cool off a bit. I went into a restaurant, asked for a table for 1, and was told by the host “Sorry, we don’t serve just one person”. He was kidding, and seated me about 2 seconds later, but still…really?! Why would someone joke like that. It’s rude in the first place, never minding the fact that I was on the verge of a breakup and tears, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with dining alone and enjoying your surroundings.

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:24:39 +0000

Dining alone is one of my favourite parts of traveling alone! I can order whatever I want without worrying what the other person will think, and I can eat as quickly or as slowly as I want (within reason). I love being able to slowly eat a meal while I read, etc, and I find that the wait staff will often strike up a conversation, which I really enjoy.

By: Recommended Reads: January 31, 2010 | SoloFriendly.com

Recommended Reads: January 31, 2010 | SoloFriendly.com — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:00:24 +0000

[...] Damn Right, It’s a Table for One – This is a hilarious piece by Geraldine at the Everywhereist. Thanks to JoAnna Haugen for bringing it to my attention. I read the post Geraldine is responding to, and I agree with her that the title is pretty appalling. The rest of the article is not bad–just standard suggestions to help people who are uncomfortable with the thought of dining alone. But the title deserves some mockery, and it gets it from Geraldine. [...]

By: Trisha

Trisha — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:37:16 +0000

I agree – if people feel that awkward dining alone, they just shouldn’t do it. Isn’t that why room service was invented?

On the occasions that I’m traveling (and dining) alone, I like to pick somewhere with a ‘view’ – even if that’s just a view of the restaurant so I can people watch. If there’s not a patio table available with a nice outdoor view, then I’ll ask for a table in the back so I can watch the other patrons. Must be the voyeur in me.

Oh another thing I like to do is to take notes while I’m eating…..often the waitstaff will assume I’m doing a ‘review’ and I get spectacular service.

By: Yura

Yura — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:20:49 +0000

Who wouldn’t love to eat that cake all by him/herself? I agree with you totally

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:09:12 +0000

I so agree with you, both on the dining alone topic and your football analysis. I spent five weeks in Europe by myself once, and it was heavenly. Some nights I’d meet cool people (usually fellow American travelers) while eating alone, and other nights I’d just sit back and people watch. At no time, however, did I feel humiliated. The closest I ever came was terrified when I stayed at a hotel an hour outside of Prague, and the manager didn’t speak English. He brought me this huge plate of dubious-looking food, and I had to eat the whole thing in order to prevent an international incident. Oh well. C’est la vie.

Since that trip, I’ve eaten alone more times than I can count. It’s fun. The Betty Drapers of the world need to broaden their horizons a bit.

By: Geraldine

Geraldine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:15:20 +0000

P.S. – I <3 the Vikings, esp this year. Is it my lingering affection for Farve? Perhaps. But I’d love to see them in the Superbowl, even though the Saints are brilliant and make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.