From Ariel Leve of The Sunday Times:

Who knew eating alone was an act of bravery? The other day I was at a restaurant having an early dinner when I got a phone call from a friend. She asked where I was and when I told her she said, ?

What a weird anachronistic thing to read in 2009. It’s like something from a 1950s “Ladies Magazine”. As a woman who often eats out alone, because I am busy and hungry and oh! there is a restaurant right there - I have to say that I never even think about it.

Is this really what people are doing with their precious mental space? Thinking about what I am doing at my table alone? (usually grading or reading a book by the way). That is very sad for them, especially if, as the article suggests, they are thinking about me while they themselves are dining with others. They must keep really boring company!

I will also say that as someone who was both a hostess and a waitress in my 20s, the last thing I was thinking about when seating or serving a meal to a single woman or man was whether or not they were lonely. I was interesting in how much they were going to tip me. To think that the hostess or waitress cares at all about your social life or friendship status is like thinking that the stripper wants to date you. Stop projecting!

This whole thing reminds me of Adorno on the Astrology column in the (LA Times?): Especially the idea that there is some terrible time to eat out alone (Saturday night). What a horrid reification of the Capitalist M-F-9-5 / Weekends Off / obligatory Bourgeois dating pattern. As though there is no other possible might for a date! What if I have a relationship with someone spontaneous who happens to work Saturday nights? Am I, as a woman, supposed to stay in lock-down if I am not on a (Man’s) arm Saturday night? Where am I? Haussmann’s Paris c. 1860?

All very depressing that this tripe is still being written.

Try going on a vacation alone as I have many times. God forbid a woman should need some “space” (apparently the sole jurisdiction of men).

Everyone asks you if there is something “wrong.” There’s this ominous vibe surrounding you, like you’re in danger—you’re suddenly an episode of “Locked Up Abroad.”

A man on a vacation alone is having an adventure whereas a woman must be deeply depressed about something. Funny thing is, my best vacations were the ones I took alone. I met so many people and really got in with the locals—had some wild times. Sometimes having your friends with you at dinner or on a trip can be a giant “cock block” literally and proverbially. You discover yourself without those chains that bind (friends’ perceptions of who you should be).

Fabulous photo!

By strange coincidence, the capture that I have to enter to validate this comment is values98. values 1960 would have been more accurate!

You’re not alone i suppose !
At least i think the way you do!=)
I’d better eat alone than with a friend-chatterbox, who’s really annoys me!=)
Cheer!