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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For the past year or so I’ve been publishing a monthly “getting old” column at Substack. If you haven’t checked it out, please do. 
