IS SOLO DINING IN PUBLIC WEIRD?

Solo dining -
Photo by Adrienn: https://www.pexels.com/photo

Folks, what is your opinion about having meals in a restaurant or coffee in a cafe alone by yourself? Do you do that? Or do you think that’s weird, so you’d rather have a takeout?

The reason I ask is because of something that happened a few weeks back. My cousin came to visit me for the second time since I moved to this place a couple of months ago. As we were catching up, she asked how I was settling in, and I told her how much I loved it here. One of the best things about my new home is that it’s so close to my favorite cafe that I can easily stop by for my fave hot cappuccino after my power walk. And when I feel like extending my morning relaxation, I enjoy dining in a cozy little restaurant nearby. The ambiance is comforting and refreshing, making my mornings even more enjoyable.

But the moment I shared this, my cousin gave me a look, a weird one, like she couldn’t believe what I just said. Seeing her reaction, I asked what was so surprising. She shook her head in disbelief and said, “I would never do that. I’d rather get takeout and eat at home alone.”

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Her words caught me off guard. For a moment, I felt a wave of insecurity creeping in. I started questioning myself: “Have I been doing something that goes against social norms? Do people find it strange when I sit alone in a cafe, sipping my coffee? Have I embarrassed myself all this time without realizing it?”

Without meaning to, I began blaming myself, judging my choices. Was I naive for never even considering this? The doubts played over and over in my mind, even long after our conversation had moved on to other topics.

But here’s the funny part: despite those thoughts, I didn’t stop dining or having coffee alone. In fact, today (when this writing was made), I deliberately went to my favorite breakfast spot after my power walk, just to see if it truly felt “weird.” And guess what? It wasn’t weird at all. I enjoyed my meal, relaxed, and even watched a Netflix show while sipping my coffee.

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That moment reminded me of an important lesson: we all experience life differently. Some people, like my cousin, might find the idea of dining alone uncomfortable, maybe even intimidating. Others, like me, see it as a peaceful, enjoyable time for self-reflection and relaxation. And neither is right or wrong. It’s just a matter of perspective.

Society often shapes our perception of what is “normal” or “acceptable,” but at the end of the day, our happiness should come from what feels right for us. If you love sharing meals with others, that’s wonderful. If you cherish quiet moments alone, that’s equally beautiful.

So, if you’ve ever hesitated to eat alone in a cafe or restaurant because you were worried about how it might look, then don’t. But you can give it a shot and see if you might find it incredibly freeing. And if you already do it, embrace it!

Now, I’d love to hear from you, do you enjoy solo dining, or does the idea make you uncomfortable?