Is it weird that I went to a restaurant alone?

Jordan,
I used to travel a lot throughout the seven western United States I hated the whole "lonely guy table for one" thing but after awhile I normalized a bit to it. Helps to have a paper or a book or something but to add to that you have the Holidays which adds a whole other weirdness to things......this too will pass. So just chill and don't be too hard on yourself man cause only when you can find comfort in being alone with oneself does the curse get lifted.....believe me I've been there several times.....not much fun but it's all a process and it's kind of healthy after it's behind you. Smile and hold your head up. Join a group activity, get out and mingle with people so you keep the social skills sharpened. Good luck to ya and a massive Merry Christmas to you as well !
the Cheese

Hey Jordan,

Mate, there is buggerall wrong with dining alone. You strike me as being articulate, well mannered and smart. Have confidence in your own abilities, forget what people may or may not think about you : its about as important as an ashtray on a motorcycle. Your views on yourself shouldn't be based on what strangers think about you. You sound like you have the qualities needed to make a good core of small friends, be patient, it will happen. Its better having a small core of valued and trusted friends, than a large rabble of self-centred pretenders.

Breathe deep, keep your chin up and have a damn good Christmas

Golden

I often dine in restaurants, burger bars etc alone. If you look around I'll bet there are others doing it. I was self conscious about it at first and found having a newspaper or magazine helps.
Sorry to hear about your anxiety and depression. I'm a fellow sufferer and know how crippling it can be. Medication helped me and now I don't need it any more.
Christmas can be a very bad time if you're on your own. Do you have any family to be around over the holiday?
Being on here is not the answer but there are some very good people on this forum who will go out of their way to be friendly and that sure helps sometimes.
Thanks for sharing that. I bet you will have touched a nerve for a lot of people. john

johnwillyums said:

I often dine in restaurants, burger bars etc alone. If you look around I'll bet there are others doing it. I was self conscious about it at first and found having a newspaper or magazine helps.

Ditto Dx

I usually carry a book around in a sling bag or haversack. It's not so much as wanting to read, but as the others mentioned, more to keep your mind off dwelling on your aloneness. Or fidget with a handheld device, people usually assume someone thumbing their cellphone is busy.

Kinda sucks been doing it so long it's become second nature to pretend to look like some harried salaryman in a hurry :P

FWIW:

The best way to find new friends is to volunteer. If you have computer skills, then look around for a Non-Profit organization that needs computer help (they all do as they can not afford to pay)

I have found many new friends this way who appreciate your help and assistance.
I volunteer one day a week (I am retired) at a non profit agency for the Handicapped. been doing this for over 15 years, some weeks I don't have the time but still keep in touch. They really appreciate my help and I have made many new friends. I also have learned a lot about handicapped people and appreciated that I have led a good life and don't have a handicap, outside of being a computer person. <G>

You will receive much more than you give as there is a real feeling of accomplishment in helping people who need help.

Volunteer

Rich

As others have said, have a book with you, or what works for me is an MP3 player and some headphones....rock out to some tunes while you eat. If you're having a rough day, I have music that makes me feel better on days like that that I'll listen to....and my worries will drift away as I listen.

+1 on Volunteering !

Rock On !