Before we get into this one, check out that photo. I snapped it a couple of nights ago at a Cracker Barrel in Wilkes-Barre. It’s the Cheesy Bacon Homestyle Chicken, with steamed broccoli and a loaded baked potato, along with (needless to say) bottomless sweet tea. I always hear people say they “hate” the Barrel, but how? I mean, I realize that’s probably not the most healthy thing I could’ve ordered. But I’m a portly lad with portly needs. It’s on me, not the restaurant. And it was delicious; I wish had the same spread in front of me right now. PLUS! It cost roughly the same as a so-called meal “deal” at Subway. That’s not an exaggeration. In fact, this might have cost less. Have you been to Subway lately? It’s the same level of terribleness we’ve grown accustomed to, with new premium prices.
Anyway, that’s not the point of this post. While I was sitting in there waiting for my food to arrive, I started wondering how many people would have a problem visiting such a place by themselves. I do it regularly, and don’t think a thing about it. I just roll in there and tell the woman behind the podium, “Just me!” without a care in the world. But I know people who have hang-ups about doing certain things alone. Some won’t even go into a McDonald’s alone. I mean, whose opinion are you so concerned about inside a McDonald’s? The big mama in a Flashdance t-shirt hollering at her rambunctious shitty kids? The bushy-bearded man mumbling a repeated series of numbers to himself and sipping a 250-degree coffee?
I might not go to a Gordon Ramsay-level restaurant by myself, but then again… I might. I don’t really have a problem with it, at all. Also, when I lived in Atlanta I went to see bands alone on a regular basis. Club shows, mostly. I can’t remember ever going solo at a big arena concert, like U2 or Metallica, or something like. But I had no issue going to club or theater shows alone. I did it all the time.
And movies? Not an issue. In fact, it’s often preferred. I’ve also gone to baseball games alone. I’ve gone to see the local Railriders play a few times, unaccompanied. Heck, I even went to see the Reds alone, last time Toney and I were in Cincinnati. We’d spent the day in the blazing sun, at a big tennis tournament, and she was zapped. She said she was done for the day, so I went and watched the Reds and Cardinals (I think). It was fun!
The one thing I did alone, which I might not ever do again, is go on vacation. One year we couldn’t go at the same time, due to circumstances, so Toney and I both took trips alone. It was weird, and I didn’t like it. I went to Long Beach Island in New Jersey. I had no issue with the locale, or the hotel, or anything like that. I just didn’t enjoy being at the beach by myself. It was boring. In fact, I started getting a little depressed after a while. Never again. Oh, I can do day-trips by myself — like to Cooperstown or whatever — but not full-blown vacations. I was ready to strip down naked and walk into the sea.
What are your thoughts on this one? Are you able to fly solo at restaurants, and other places? I know many people who cannot. Please tell us about it in the comments.
And I’ll see you guys again soon.
Have a great day!
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At a Brazilian steakhouse a couple of weeks ago the table next to us was a solo diner and they were going to town with the essentially unlimited food. Plenty of cocktails too, and this was a weekday lunchtime. I was kind of impressed, they were on a mission.
When saw Dogma at the cinema I was the only person in the theater. That’s only happened once that I remember.
Maybe the only good thing cell phones have contributed to society; the ability to dine alone and seem occupied. Personally, I would take a bar seat, instead of “table for one”.
I used to do mid-week skiing by myself; just pick a good day to skip work and avoid weekend crowds. For the chair lift rides, I’d usually be paired with a retired guy who would proudly announce that he skis for free.
Damn, I hate to ski alone. I don’t have an issue with the rest of the stuff but it’s no fun to ski alone, probably dangerous as well.
I’ve done all those things alone have no problem doing so. I used to travel a lot for work and I could either sit alone in my hotel room or go out to eat, explore, watch a movie, catch a game, etc by myself and I always opted for the latter. Now that I have young kids, it’s a nice little (quiet) break to do things alone. Last year I went to Iceland alone and had a great time; it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go but my wife had no desire, so I went alone. I would rather go with my wife but I’m okay going solo.
When I was in the corporate world managing data centers, about once a week I was able to sneak in a “take my inbox to lunch” lunch, usually at a slightly shabby waterfront tavern where I didn’t look particularly out of place sitting alone, pushing two small tables together and making stacks of paper to wade through. If I’d tried to do that in my office, there would have been a line outside my door by noon. Nobody bothers you at a slightly shabby waterfront tavern.
Possibly interestingly enough, a Federal District Court judge whose name would be familiar to Americans of a certain age did the same thing, and occasionally we did it on the same day. Neither of us drank alcohol and we both had serious stacks of paper at our table. On those days we’d smile at each other and shrug. We each knew what the other guy was up to.
John
Jesus, all of a sudden Jeff blows out blog drops like a backed up colon.
I prefer doing *everything* alone. Everything you mentioned and almost everything else, certainly including sex. Very few people don’t get on my nerves, and that reliably includes me.
Ii don’t think I’ve ever done a movie or a game by myself, but I’m not opposed. I used to take non-work trips by myself at the end of the year to hit top level status with my airline, but now they let you do that by spending on a credit card. When I took those trips, some were very enjoyable by myself and some were not. Sitting in a hotel in South Africa eating “nachos” with some bushmeat wasn’t something I’d do again. Sampling cafes in Paris solo was a delight. Eating at a restaurant by myself is no problem… I do it probably once a week depending on what’s in the fridge. The house is closer than most restaurants.
Before I try to find a pay phone booth that actually works so I can make a hot line call, I thought I’d better verify that this call is free, like an 800 number. Otherwise, I still have access to my dad’s changmaker from his old bus driving days. But all “long distance” calls are free these days, right? Just checking, and looking forward to a blog entry.
johnthebasket
Wow, a changemaker is certainly a blast from the past. So is riding a bus.
So is a pay phone that works. I’ve found a few derelicts with missing parts, but no working pay phones yet. This has now become my retirement project. I have Dad’s old changemaker (he got promoted, so his didn’t get much use: it was the war, the big one). He kept it in working condition because you never know. So it hasn’t made change for real riders since 1942. In 1942, the busses were crowded.
I’ve searched my zip code for a working pay phone. I found one in our local municipal building, but it was in a crowded area and I figure this surf report stuff is private and personal. I’m saving my change so I can accumulate a full changer should this not be a free call. I continue my search for a semi-private pay phone. The search takes me to far-away lands. People marry and die. Pinkerton does not return.
John
I’ve attended many sporting events alone and several fast food eat-ins alone, but never a movie or a fancy restaurant outing. However, I’ve always been a bit of a loner and very comfortable spending time alone.