How much will I (28m) be bullied for dining alone? Recently realized I hadn't been to a non-bar/fastfood sitdown restaurant in years. Last time, I was cosplaying in a suit as a businessman at a nice family-owned greek restaurant, but I feel like I'll be sniffed out by waitstaff at chain restaurants, which is what they only seem to have in my new area. I really don't want to get dressed up for Applebee's or Olive Garden, but I'm getting sick of Arby's and Taco Bell when I don't feel like cooking. The last time I went to a TGI Friday solo, they just sat me at the bar and I could feel the "pathetic" looks, so I just quietly ate my sandwich and went home. Would a "Oh, looks like my imaginary date ghosted me" also be sleuthed? Would it backfire and really make me an object of ridicule? I just want some chicken gnocchi and a salad...
>>32625807I have eaten alone in restaurants all over the world. I have never been bullied. Enter and act with authority and dignity, and you will be treated well.
>>32625807I eat alone already at 18(f) and I think its acc one of my fave things to do. If a stranger gives u funny looks, so what?? they mean nothing to you
>>32625807You won't be bullied as a paying customer in a restaurant. You're not in school any more.
>>32625856Sure, but we're talking about a budget nice place. Like I said, I really don't want to be getting in a suit for Olive Garden. Granted, I'm not talking about spit in the drink bullying. More just the looks from staff, general interaction, etc. >>32625873Ehh, slight difference. If I were even five years younger, let alone 10 like you, it could be written off as just some college kid exercising independence or something. Being 28, there's more pressure to be with anyone, friends or partner, and if you're that old and still solo, there must be something wrong. It's the feeling of when they come out and do some birthday shit, that feeling that you're in a limelight in an embarrassing situation, except you can't play it off on the others at the table because there is no one else at the table.
You're not unique OP. Solo dining is very common.https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/31/business/solo-dining-restaurants-reservations/index.htmlhttps://apnews.com/article/restaurants-solo-dining-trend-e1a4d5259007c5831d1ad0a955875a2fhttps://nypost.com/2024/09/03/us-news/solo-dining-in-us-spikes-29-as-restaurants-cater-to-trend-report/
>>32625969I'm 33 and I still regularly go to half-decent restaurants with nothing unusual to report. Nobody cares, ESPECIALLY the waitstaff. I also don't particularly "dress up" specifically because nobody cares. I'm not a slob, but I'm not about to put on a suit and tie. I just wear whatever pants, a button up shirt/polo (untucked unless it's extra long), a belt, and whatever shoes.Just go in, eat your food, don't stare at other customers, and nobody will fuck with you.
>>32625807People don't care about strangers unless the strangers piss them off. Don't be a shitty customer/diner and you'll be ignored.
>>32625807I traveled a lot on business in my 20s. If you comment you're here on business and have no idea what food is good here what do you suggest? they will look at you like you're a retard if its a nationwide chain but small restaurants are cool and you'll probably get to try interesting, possibly strange, local food.Unless you're the main character in a legacy TV network show, nobody cares about someone eating dinner. I honestly can't remember anyone interesting I've ever seen at a restaurant. I remember a few waitresses being hot, that's about it.
>>32625969>general interactionI think OP is confusing candle-lit romantic valentines day dinner and Hooters and wedding receptions with normal life.I live in a stereotypically "friendly" part of the country and nobody generally interacts, whatever that means.In the old days bars used to be friendlier but now too many people playing on their phones.
