Community Chat

[Kachina624]

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@GCR18 wrote:

I've eaten out alone whether while traveling for work or here at home.  I haven't experienced the issues you mentioned.  Occasionally, I'll get seated in a crappy seat.  I immediately ask to be seated elsewhere and am accommodated.  

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I rarely eat in restaurants alone.  I don't like it and would rather get take-out and be comfortable at home with my little furbaby family.  However, I've never heard of any discrimination of singles eating alone in this area.  I have a feeling this may be a regional problem.

[VaBelle35]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@VaBelle35 wrote:

I have traveled a lot for work and I have eaten out alone locally many times, all meals, all ends of the spectrum of dining.  And while I can't remember if I was every told I had to sit at the bar/counter, most times they ask me what my preference is for a table, a booth, etc.  

As the OP stated, sometimes I'm treated like royalty and there are some hosts/hostesses/wait staff/bar tenders who work very well with solo diners.  But there have been a few times when they are so uncomfortable with solo diners and they make me feel uncomfortable.

My worst experience was at a Bed & Breakfast in Williamsburg.  I was given the worst room in the place, the worst table for breakfast and asked to get up when I was done eating (but still drinking my tea) because others needed the table.  My issue was that there were a lot of people who were waiting for a table to eat and many people were done eating and drinking sitting at cleared tables, talking or reading the paper and I was the only one who was asked to move.

I believe my Trip Advisor review is still there.

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@VaBelle35, I went for afternoon tea to a small place where the proprietess did all the cooking, baking and serving.  She had me sit at the end of a long table. Then proceeded to bring the tea courses out v-e-r-y s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y such that by the time I was only starting my dessert, the people who had come to occupy the table en masse as a group had arrived and everyone hung over me like vultures trying to stinkeye me into leaving - including the owner whose fault it was that I didn’t have enough time to eat. Sheesh.

Trip Advisor. I was a long-time member and wrote many reviews. Then Expedia bought them and I started seeing more pushes to give positive reviews. I posted a 1-star review and used a word in it that they didn’t want me to use (not a 4-letter word) and asked me to re-do the review - but their software didn’t allow for editing OR saving, so the only way to “fix” the review was to type it over verbatim with the removal of one word. It was a LONG review.  

With that and their increasing emphasis on reviewing everything everywhere, even your local Taco Bell, and positively at that, I just said the heck with it and deleted my account. I post reviews on Yelp and Google and FB.

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@Moonchilde  I now post everything on Yelp and cross post hotel and attraction reviews on TripAdvisor these days.

[Moonchilde]

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@NicksmomESQ wrote:

 Single people have a right to dine out too.They deserve the same respect & accommodation given to a couple or group!!

  I would complain to management.This is similar to being a couple dining in a restaurant where you get lousy service because the attention is being given to a large party nereby.This has happened to DH & I several times.We always complain to management.We’ve walked out if we haven’t been served yet.If we’re in the middle of eating the tip definitely reflects the poor service!

  No one should be penalized for dining alone or in a small group !!

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But at least half the time - probably more like 70% of the time - it’s management who sets the policy. It’s management’s decision to do this; that, in a nutshell, is what annoys me most. I did have one instance where it was the server, not mgmt, and I know that happens too, but mostly it’s a mgmt decision. Grrrr....

[chrystaltree]

What country do you live in?  I've never in my 57 years heard of an restaurant refusing to serve a single diner...lol   Of course, there are tables that a set up or multiple diners and they won't sit a single at a table set up for 4.  But there are plenty of 2 seaters and that's where they sit singles, since I never saw single seating in any restaurant.  I think you are seeing something that simply doesn't exist.  It's funny though.  Single person comes in and the hostess says "I'm sorry, we don't serve single diners".  Where would that ever happen.  Not to mention that 5 singles is no different than a table of 5.  They are all going to order, pay and then leave a tip.  And no, single women are not bad tippers.  

[Moonchilde]

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@AuntG wrote:

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@AuntG wrote:

@Moonchilde sure is opposed to sitting at a bar to eat. I often see single diners being served at the bar and they seem very comfortable.

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Your point? If you would be comfortable (the only valid criteria?) then every other person should be comfortable too?

People, your “reaching” is starting to blink neon.

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Well I don't think I'd come to these boards and discuss my seating preferences because it is totally inconsequential.  My point was that other people seem quite happy being served at the bar.

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So...the next time you post an opinion or start a thread about something, you’d be perfectly fine with me dropping by just to let you know that I found your issue totally inconsequential. Okay.....

[Katcat1]

@Moonchilde  I have been eating out alone for many years even when I was married.  I never encountered your problem.  I have gone to Panera (you seat yourself), a fine Italian restaurant (no problem at all and I requested a seat close to the door) and other local restaurants.  I am sorry that happens to you and that is definitely discrimination.  I wish you could get your story out to the local newspaper.  

[Pandalady]

@cherry  First of all, thank you to your son for his service.

Not complaining or comparing.  Just sharing my own "hurry up and eat" story. As a teacher, my " duty free lunch" is "30 minutes"....10 min is spent getting the first grade kiddos settled after they go through the line.(if the cafeteria ladies are ready for us)..5 min to walk the long hallway to go stop by the restroom...for a hot meal...at least 2 min to heat up (I usually take soup at hand)...I will gulp down the meal in 10-12 minutes to allow time to walk the long hallway to go back and pick up the kiddies on time.  Knew this when I chose my profession and have gotten used to it.  Try and eat slower in my "real life".

[Moonchilde]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

What country do you live in?  I've never in my 57 years heard of an restaurant refusing to serve a single diner...lol   Of course, there are tables that a set up or multiple diners and they won't sit a single at a table set up for 4.  But there are plenty of 2 seaters and that's where they sit singles, since I never saw single seating in any restaurant.  I think you are seeing something that simply doesn't exist.  It's funny though.  Single person comes in and the hostess says "I'm sorry, we don't serve single diners".  Where would that ever happen.  Not to mention that 5 singles is no different than a table of 5.  They are all going to order, pay and then leave a tip.  And no, single women are not bad tippers.  

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I’m quite puzzled by your post, @chrystaltree.

What post are you reading in?  Nowhere in this thread have I stated I was flatly refused service explicitly and only because I was dining alone, except in one rather odd instance that, while it pi**ed me off, I could understand as (hopefully) just a rude aberration. I never said it happens all the time or everywhere I go.

The only people who keep harping that it’s ridiculous that I’m claiming that restaurants totally refuse to serve me because I’m a single customer are those who have not read the thread at all, or those who are wilfully misunderstanding and putting words in my mouth (plenty of those as always, not surprised). 

Surely you understand that the seating is different in each restaurant (do I need to say that every floor plan is not identical) and that all restaurants do not have “plenty of 2 seaters” - that too is up to individual establishments. I need to say this?

[Reever]

Is it possible it's a gendered issue? I have never heard of a man saying he is uncomfortable dining alone. In fact I see several older men dining alone almost nightly  at my local McDonalds. I presume these men's spouses have passed away and they never learned to cook. I dine out myself 3-4 times a week either at Panera, 5 Guys or McDonalds and I have seen many "repeat solo diners". I normally grab and go as I prefer to watch TV while eating.

[YorkieonmyPillow]

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@Reever wrote:

Is it possible it's a gendered issue? I have never heard of a man saying he is uncomfortable dining alone. In fact I see several older men dining alone almost nightly  at my local McDonalds. I presume these men's spouses have passed away and they never learned to cook. I dine out myself 3-4 times a week either at Panera, 5 Guys or McDonalds and I have seen many "repeat solo diners". I normally grab and go as I prefer to watch TV while eating.

  Well, you have now.

  My husband won't dine in a restaurant alone.

  As for the OP's quandry, if I felt uncomfortable or unwelcome, I wouldn't go back.

  I'm sure your business would be appreciated elsewhere.

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