The title of this blog post might be a little confusing, I don’t mean I’m going to give you tips on eating alone in your house, with a bowl of cereal propped on your lap, in your pjs as you scroll through your Facebook feed and calling it fine dining - ’cause let’s face it, we ALL know how to do that….
I mean, learning to eat alone when travelling by yourself, out in public, around strangers and everything. Did that last sentence just send a chill through you? Well, it shouldn’t.
I got thinking about this because I was in a restaurant in Inverness the other evening, having dinner and doing what I like to do best: People Watching. It was during this fun pastime (can this count as a hobby?!) that I noticed a couple in their mid-fifties sat at the table opposite me eating in silence. Like, absolute silence, like we-have-run-out-of-things-to-say-to-each-other-oh man-I-hate-my-life-and-if-i-do-say-another-word-it-will-be-to-ask-for-a-divorce type silence.
I realised that although I didn’t have a dining companion I was actually grateful to be munching on my dinner solo rather than sitting opposite a partner with not one word to say. Not One. Surely, eating on your own has to be better than with the company of a person who turns you mute?
Here are my top 6 tips on perfecting the art of solo dining:
Avoid Heartburn – You will most likely eat faster because you don’t have to keep stopping to chat, which makes meal times a lot quicker and heartburn a lot more likely. Take your time and remember to chew.
Watch The World Go By – It is the perfect chance for some people watching, I swear some of the characters from my novels have been inspired by strangers that I’ve been around in public, and the conversations I’ve earwigged on. Also one to bear in mind that anything you say when you’re eating out may appear in a book later on….
Take ‘Props’ – Have a good book to hand, your travel journal or notepad to fill in or even just your phone so you can keep yourself occupied between courses.
Silence Is Golden – Use this as an opportunity to feel good about yourself for being so confident (even if you’re totally faking it) and owning this meal time, as well as enjoying hanging out with your own thoughts.
Pick Well – If you can try and select a table that is near a window, away from boisterous large groups and even think about facing away from the centre of the restaurant (if the view isn’t just a blank wall as that would be weird).
Set The Table – If the table has already been set for two people then ask the waiter to take away the rest of the cutlery. It may mean the table looks a little bare but it’s better than people thinking you’re waiting for someone and been stood up. You want other diners to look at you in awe wishing they were as bold to take themselves out for a dinner date, not to give you regular pity glances for being a sad Sally.
When I travel alone I’m usually so exhausted from a busy day of sightseeing and exploring the place I’m in, I would be rubbish company and don’t have the effort to chat anyway, so grabbing a bite to eat by myself is the perfect way to refuel before heading back out or heading to bed before another busy day.
Dining alone shouldn’t be such a minefield or seen as scary, it is actually a great way to hang out with yourself and stuff your face in the process.
Above all, you should feel proud of yourself when walking into a restaurant and asking for a table for one as dining alone in public is something that not everyone can do. Go you!
Bon Appetit!
{Did you see the competition I’m running as part of the blog’s relaunch? No? Well click here to find out how you can win travel goodies!#WIN}
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