do you go out on your own or with others?

Bella73

I was single for four years and happily did loads of things on my own. The only place I wouldn't go was to a pub in the evening but would go for lunch in one if there were families and the like.

There is nothing wrong with going out alone and even though I am married now I would still go to the cinema on my own as I like chick flicks which hubby doesn't enjoy and if I go shopping for clothes I often lunch alone as I prefer clothes shopping alone.

If other people have a problem with it then it is their problem not yours. The only thing I would say is make sure at all times you are safe.

Sneezy

I'm happy to go anywhere on my own apart from to a restaurant to eat.

I've only done that once on a weekend to Amsterdam (because I was hungry on the Friday after I'd landed) and felt so uncomfortable all the way through I didn't eat for the rest of the weekend.

Pubs/clubs aren't a prob as I don't drink/like going out in an evening.

Cinema isn't generally a problem for me (I hate people talking through a film so it's better for me to go alone!) - I went to see Skyfall in January on my own - as I went for a daytime showing and it had been out a coupe of months there was only me and one other person in there!

tizerbelle

I never think anything if I see someone out on their own, wherever they are, but then again I'm usually on my own so its the norm for me.

My circumstances are that over 5 years ago I left the city I'd lived in for 20 years and a close group of friends and moved to the other side of the country to be nearer to an elderly mother and brother's young family. When I got here - brother moved away and mum has more friends than a lottery winner whereas I have no-one I go out with whether friends or family. :rotfl:

But I am by nature a hermit and live quite happily without other people - don't get me wrong I am quite gregarious and will happily strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere about anything - those occasional interactions (apart from work) give me all the human contact I need.

So on my own I go shopping, walking the dogs, theatre, cinema, restaurants (although usually mid-week rather than Fri/Sat), museums, art galleries, garden centres, antique/thrift stores, days out to places of interest / landmarks etc. Heck I even go on holiday on my own. I don't go to pubs/clubs on my own but that's more to do with the fact that I don't drink anymore so it never occurs to me to go as I don't need the human contact and I don't want the alcohol.

If you're worried about being labelled the weird loner - don't be. Most people don't notice anything that doesn't affect them directly. And even if they do, so what. Their opinions means nothing to your life.

Anyway that label is all mine and you can throw in crazy cat lady, mad old spinster as well and I won't care.

kloana

One thing I wouldn't personally be comfortable with is eating out (maybe fast food/cafe, not a proper restaurant), or going our drinking (particularly in the evening).

But I wouldn't think twice if I saw someone else doing any of the above alone. If you're happy to do it, go ahead and enjoy it - don't worry what others think (as the majority of the time, they'll be thinking nothing at all)

krustylouise

tizerbelle wrote: »

I never think anything if I see someone out on their own, wherever they are, but then again I'm usually on my own so its the norm for me.

My circumstances are that over 5 years ago I left the city I'd lived in for 20 years and a close group of friends and moved to the other side of the country to be nearer to an elderly mother and brother's young family. When I got here - brother moved away and mum has more friends than a lottery winner whereas I have no-one I go out with whether friends or family. :rotfl:

But I am by nature a hermit and live quite happily without other people - don't get me wrong I am quite gregarious and will happily strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere about anything - those occasional interactions (apart from work) give me all the human contact I need.

So on my own I go shopping, walking the dogs, theatre, cinema, restaurants (although usually mid-week rather than Fri/Sat), museums, art galleries, garden centres, antique/thrift stores, days out to places of interest / landmarks etc. Heck I even go on holiday on my own. I don't go to pubs/clubs on my own but that's more to do with the fact that I don't drink anymore so it never occurs to me to go as I don't need the human contact and I don't want the alcohol.

If you're worried about being labelled the weird loner - don't be. Most people don't notice anything that doesn't affect them directly. And even if they do, so what. Their opinions means nothing to your life.

Anyway that label is all mine and you can throw in crazy cat lady, mad old spinster as well and I won't care.

Aside from 5year old dd and my jobs I don't have anyone. I tend to stay indoors for the most part but I do go places like shopping I prefer to go on my own.

As for crazy cat lady I can have that title too and I really don't care.

Have to say though that this thread has shown me its ok to be a loner as some people aren't as sociable as others and it has made me feel more "normal" whatever that is x

barbarawright

panagia wrote: »

I definitely would not go into a pub on my own! But I like the thought of going to galleries, exhibitions, classes, special-interest stuff like genealogy, guided walks.. or just going out for a walk! But people seem to go along to stuff with someone, usually.

I like the idea of the theatre or cinema, but that might be a bit awkward on your own, wouldn't it.

Why on earth is going to the cinema on your own awkward? You sit in the dark in silence for two hours - how insecure do you have to be to think you need someone you know sitting in the dark in silence next to you. Look around next time you go to the cinema, especially in the afternoon and you may be surprised at how many people are on their own and how normal they are. In fact, I'm off to see Star Trek on my own right now. I also go to the theatre on my own if I decide to go last minute or I just can't be bothered with the hassle of fixing a date with someone else.

balletshoes

kloana wrote: »

One thing I wouldn't personally be comfortable with is eating out (maybe fast food/cafe, not a proper restaurant), or going our drinking (particularly in the evening).

But I wouldn't think twice if I saw someone else doing any of the above alone. If you're happy to do it, go ahead and enjoy it - don't worry what others think (as the majority of the time, they'll be thinking nothing at all)

I'm another one who prefers to clothes shop on her own, so I will also quite happily go to a cafe/restaurant in town for lunch or a break while shopping alone.

When DD did 2 and a half hours of dance every Saturday morning, I used to take my book, head to the cafe in the shopping centre, grab a large coffee and people-watch. In the summer months I'd get a frappe and take my book out to the nearby castle gardens, sit on a bench and enjoy the sunshine.

FatVonD

I've been to pubs on my own, I've popped in for a sandwich and a pint when I've been in town for something on my own and I've been to a pub gig on my own. I've also gone island hopping in Greece on my own and spent every night going to bars and dancing like a loon!

tizerbelle

For those of you worried about eating out on your own, don't be. I take a book, get a table in the corner and just enjoy two of my favourite things - a good book and good food, made all the better because I don't have to cook it or wash up!

elsien

I generally prefer to go with other people, as I like to chat about what I'm doing, seeing. But will go out on my own if its something I want to do and can't find anyone to come out to play.
The cinema can feel a bit weird - when I got there last week, it was me and the snogging couple in the back row! But I tend to say sod it and go anyway. And if its a day out, there's normally someone to have a chat to - I seem to attract the older people out for a bit of company.
I would suggest starting off with something small, for an hour or so, during the day. Most of the things you imagine people are thinking will be in your head. And if they do think it's strange, so what? You're never going to see them again, it doesn't matter what a random stranger thinks. If you're in a cafe, take a paper so you've got something to look at other than wonder what people are thinking of you.
And if you like things like swimming or the gym, there's lots of people on their own. Sometimes you have to push yourself a bit but its fine once you get going.