Six Reasons to Eat Out Alone

My top six reasons for eating alone and why it isn't weird.

6. Small talk. Sometimes it is just nice to be able to sit at a table and enjoy a meal without having to make a comment on the weather in your home town or how your dog, Bowser, is allergic to rice.

5. The wait staff are very attentive. They probably think that you just got dumped or that you don't have the charm necessary to have a boy/girlfriend and are very kind and even doting; making sure you have everything you could possibly need or want. For impatient people, this is ideal.

4. Get your food sooner. You are a party of one. That means you don't have to wait for Uncle George's fettuccine alfredo and Aunt Matilda's lasagna to be ready while your tortellini sits under a heating lamp so it doesn't get cold. You get your food as soon as its ready and since the wait staff are so attentive, you will barely have time to finish your salad before they bring out your entree.

3. Relax. Sometimes it's good to have a little alone time. People watching can be very relaxing. I find it interesting to see how families interact with one another.

2. Self-confidence booster. There's nothing like walking into a restaurant and asking for a table for one. Sure, the hostess might look at you a little funny but if you walk in there with your head up and your shoulders back, like you own the place, people will know that you are there because you decided to go out and treat yourself to dinner.

1. You can order whatever you want. Because you're eating alone, no one is going to judge you for what you order. You want the actual size dessert instead of the mini? Fine. Have it. Your friends aren't there to question your selections. The server doesn't care as long as you eat and are happy and the cooks don't even know who you are. It is a beautiful thing. You can order the mozzarella sticks, the four cheese pasta, and the chocolate cake and no one is going to care that you just ate like a pig. Plus, if you're smart, you'll save some for leftovers so you have a meal for the next day.

Eating alone is NOT something I recommend that you do often, however, it can be cathartic and a nice change of pace from eating alone in front of the TV with your fish. So go out and enjoy yourself. Be single, be proud.

-Ashley