Happy birthday, Hanna! I very much enjoy dining alone; it gives me the chance to really observe the interplay of the staff and how the restaurant works. But it is frustrating how hard it is to reserve a table for one online. Thanks for the tips!
If you go to a place where you're not welcome as a solo diner, then don't. Don't go there and certainly do publicize it. In 1988 I tried to have dinner at a charming left bank restaurant where they were having "beef bourgignon" as a plat du jour. I was refused service with the management telling me that they didn't seat women dining alone! I was outraged and insulted. However, it was true. I did everything I could to share that information to other women, especially others women travelers. I also have balked at being seated at the worst table in the dining room (near the swinging kitchen door or the loo's) and insisted on the same quality of service anyone else would get. I also demand this from hotels and any other service establishment.
I am not embarrassed or ashamed to be "on my own" in life and I don't accept anyone else marginalizing me. So there!
Happy birthday! Your photo captions had me laughing. I have to say, I enjoy dining out with others (particularly my husband) AND I actually enjoy dining alone -- for the reasons you mention (focus on the food) and a chance to have wonderful food, a cocktail or good wine, and read a bit in a lovely environment. Fully agree that you need to acknowledge you are "taking two seats" when at a table and so ordering a bottle of wine (and taking some home!), multiple courses, and a good tip recognize this. Dining at the bar is truly one of my favorites. With a good bartender you get a bit of human contact AND can do all of those fun things I mentioned above. Your captions are still making me laugh!
Happy, happy birthday! Wait until you're in your mid-70s. Very invisible and often ignored. Dining alone is a treat, until the wait person calls you "grandma"! Loved the article!
I first experienced then got comfortable dining alone years ago traveling as a speaker. You fly in, speak, sometimes eat with those who hired you, but often get the chance to dine alone. I love people but I also grew to love solo dining. Enjoyed your piece Hanna and happy birthday.
How wonderful! What a happy birthday piece! Get to sixties and onward and you gain a heap of fine authority because you don't care at all. By then you embrace stately cronehood, ignore imbeciles and demand exactly what you want!
An unseen problem
Happy Birthday, Hanna!
The coming of fifty is worse than the being of fifty.
Happy birthday, Hanna! I very much enjoy dining alone; it gives me the chance to really observe the interplay of the staff and how the restaurant works. But it is frustrating how hard it is to reserve a table for one online. Thanks for the tips!
Happy Birthday 🎈
If you go to a place where you're not welcome as a solo diner, then don't. Don't go there and certainly do publicize it. In 1988 I tried to have dinner at a charming left bank restaurant where they were having "beef bourgignon" as a plat du jour. I was refused service with the management telling me that they didn't seat women dining alone! I was outraged and insulted. However, it was true. I did everything I could to share that information to other women, especially others women travelers. I also have balked at being seated at the worst table in the dining room (near the swinging kitchen door or the loo's) and insisted on the same quality of service anyone else would get. I also demand this from hotels and any other service establishment.
I am not embarrassed or ashamed to be "on my own" in life and I don't accept anyone else marginalizing me. So there!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day!
Hey birthday buddy! I'm 62 today and probably scowl and clutch my phone when dining alone.
Happy birthday! Your photo captions had me laughing. I have to say, I enjoy dining out with others (particularly my husband) AND I actually enjoy dining alone -- for the reasons you mention (focus on the food) and a chance to have wonderful food, a cocktail or good wine, and read a bit in a lovely environment. Fully agree that you need to acknowledge you are "taking two seats" when at a table and so ordering a bottle of wine (and taking some home!), multiple courses, and a good tip recognize this. Dining at the bar is truly one of my favorites. With a good bartender you get a bit of human contact AND can do all of those fun things I mentioned above. Your captions are still making me laugh!
Happy, happy birthday! Wait until you're in your mid-70s. Very invisible and often ignored. Dining alone is a treat, until the wait person calls you "grandma"! Loved the article!
Always things that I hadn’t thought about. You are brilliant Hanna Raskin.
I first experienced then got comfortable dining alone years ago traveling as a speaker. You fly in, speak, sometimes eat with those who hired you, but often get the chance to dine alone. I love people but I also grew to love solo dining. Enjoyed your piece Hanna and happy birthday.
How wonderful! What a happy birthday piece! Get to sixties and onward and you gain a heap of fine authority because you don't care at all. By then you embrace stately cronehood, ignore imbeciles and demand exactly what you want!