do you go out on your own or with others?

mrcow

elsien wrote: »

My top cinema tips? Get there as the previews start, rather than sitting in solitary isolation before the lights go down. Tag onto the end of a group of people as they leave so to the casual observer it looks like you're leaving with them.

My top cinema tips......

If you like snacking, take your own popcorn/sweets as the prices are extortionate.

Subscribe to the free cinema tickets thread on MSE as the prices otherwise are extortionate.

passatrider

Funny that I was only thinking about this earlier when I was walking round town.
I'm very much a solitude seeker as I find people can be draining, although I function much better in social surroundings than I use too.

The trouble is today we as a nation are making it harder for ourselves to mix with others what with the internet/social networking. Friends do not call anymore, they just facebook or email.

As for enjoying things alone- go for it!

fredtheguava

I'm a 28yo female, currently single but have been in LTR until the last year or so. And I have always done things on my own! I don't know if I just don't notice people looking, but I've never been aware of it.

Cinemas: nobody cares. It's dark, your eyes are on the screen the whole time. Quite frankly there have been times when I've wished I'd gone on my own - there's never enough space in those seats!

Restaurants: I generally take a book, or read on the kindle app on my phone. But many times I don't and no-one makes a big deal about it. I just say "table for one, please" and they show me to a table. That's about the hardest bit, and it's over very quickly.

Walks: I'm not a big walker, but I regularly go on long bike rides alone. I don't mind going with others, but I'm not going to let the fact that other people don't fancy it right then stop me going if it's what I feel like doing! If there's a sociable option available and I fancy it, I'll put the bike ride off, but if I don't I just say "sorry, I planned to go on a long ride today, maybe next weekend?" and leave it at that.

I'm not much of a one for galleries and such so I don't know about those, but I'm sure I have been to many museums alone. I regularly travel alone (five weeks in Greece island hopping one summer, six weeks in Canada last summer) and although I'll chat to people and maybe make a friend to spend a day with here and there on a trip or something, I'm more than happy to be alone.

It takes a little bit of a pep talk to yourself the first few times, but then it becomes second nature. I'd start with the cinema and work my up

gettingbackontrack

This is a nice positive thread which is lovely to see.

I did think, though, that you know on internet forums when people "wouldn't it be lovely to meet up as a group"? We'd all say "wouldn't it be lovely to go somewhere so long as we all went to different places on our own"!:rotfl:

podperson

I do a lot of things on my own and it doesn't really bother me. I used to go to the cinema a lot on my own and I must admit the first couple of times I felt a little funny - I think more because I wasn't used to just sitting there on my own at the start - but then I just got used to it and no one cares. I agree with the person who said don't get there too early, aim for when the previews are starting - not because I care what other people think but because it's just boring to be sat there doing nothing or with the endless adverts. I also tend to go during the day or midweek then it's quieter - but then just because I don't really like having to sit next to strangers if it's busy (god I'm sounding very unsociable here :rotfl:).
Things like galleries and museums don't bother me at all, you're walking round most of the time anyway so no one notices if you're there with a group or not. I don't really like restaurants on my own but don't mind cafes, I think because I feel a little more awkward getting out a book or a magazine in a nice restaurant.

Also if you're actually wanting company for these things why not have a look at meetup groups in your area. I have been a member of a few in the past and they usually have cinema/theatre ones and I've seen a few that did visits to places like galleries.

FatVonD

balletshoes wrote: »

I really don't consider myself to be a "joiner-in" or social butterfly at all.

Me neither, I'm the most socially awkward person I know :rotfl:

FatVonD

The other thing to remember, OP, is that quite often even in a group of people you'll end up on your own anyway and won't bat an eyelid because you know you're not. I went to see DH's band on Friday, when they were onstage I was on my own in the audience. At festivals I'll go off on my own to a different stage or the comedy tent if we want to see different things. I've been known to take myself off to the corner table in a pub with a book when I didn't want to make smalltalk with one of DH's more boring bandmates

There are many reasons why you might be alone but none of them are anybody else's business!

gibson123

I love doing things on my own... I have 7 siblings and for most of my life I am surrounded by people, I am also one of those people who seems to attract others and end up organising almost everything.

I found the joy of doing things on my own in my early 20s. I have travelled Europe by train on my own, I have gone to pubs on my own and eating on my own.

I loved Paris where I could sit in a corner of a cafe with a glass of wine and a plate of bread and olives and watch the world go by.

I love going to pubs that play live music on my own, i like to listen to the music not make conversation. Ok unwanted male attention happens, but a polite, thank you I am not looking for company does work.

Cinema - oh the joy of picking the film you really want to watch rather than the compromise one, and not having anyone elses hands in your popcorn.

I also love going for a drive in my car with the radio on and no particular destination just a drive.

I am looking forward to when my DD is totally independant and I can travel on my own again.

elisebutt65

Sneezy wrote: »

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

:eek: Crikey!! I've been all over the place on my own; Amsterdam, Paris, Florida (inc Disney) and I love it! Before I got married, if the kids were at their dads in the hols, I'd book a trip just for me. I love restaurants on my own; no picky eaters, no rushing through or keeping to someone else's pace. I can order whatever I want to my own budget. And people watching is great fun!

Theme parks are even better, especially when they have the single rider queue. I've been to all the Disney parks on my own ( with kids as well) and I prefer them solo, as you don't have to factor in toilet breaks, walking speeds, nap time etc etc. it is nice with the kiddies but its a whole different experience on your own.

Pubs though:eek: I just can't do them on my own. American bars: yes. English pub = no. Even with a book.

Hermia

I love going out on my own. I have always had non-mainstream interests so actually started going out on my own from my early teens as no one liked what I liked. I go to theatres, cinemas, resaurants, galleries etc. I probably wouldn't sit in a pub on my own, but I don't really like pubs anyway so that isn't a problem. No one cares if you are on your own and if someone judges you for it it says more about them than you. The trick is just to be comfortable with yourself. Some people just look comfortable in their own skin and with their own company.

The one big upside of going out on your own is that people chat to you. I have had so many interesting conversations with people who probably would not have struck up a conversation with me if I had been nattering to a mate.

To be honest the people I feel sorry for are the ones who miss concerts or films they want to see because they won't go on their own.