Single Diners - Your Thoughts

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

Just putting this out there for discussion.

When I go out to eat, mostly for lunch, late lunch or early dinner, I am alone 99% of the time. I’m happy to spend, from a burger to lobster, whatever the restaurant charges. I don’t look or act strange, and I tip very well.

My pet peeve is restaurants who discriminate against a “table for one.” There are restaurants who refuse to seat a party of one at view tables or desirable tables. I have had a restaurant tell me that I cannot even sit at a crummy table for two next to the kitchen, because two people dining together “might” come in and want it.

Conversely, I have gone into very expensive showcase type of restaurants who treat me like a lone queen.

Most times its management, but sometimes it’s the servers who would rather get the tip from a party of 2-4 than from me by myself - the servers refuse to serve you by ignoring you as if you weren’t even there until you get up and walk out.

Some people I’ve talked to about this consider it blatant illegal discrimination. But IMO the restaurants cover themselves with the “We have the right to refuse service to anyone” bit, or “you can sit here but you can’t sit there”, so not saying they won’t serve you at all.

I’d love to see someone start a class action lawsuit on behalf of single diners. It’s IS a social discrimination.

And yes, when this happens to me, I do get up and walk out, and I don’t t return. I also tell my local friends and family, who have said that based on my experience they will no longer go there or recommend it because of that kind of policy. People that I tell are usually shocked and horrified at how I’ve been treated and what’s been said to me.

Note: - I’m not saying establishments categorically refuse to serve me, they normally don’t (except for one recent incident where I was told I could not have a table specifically because I was alone and for no other reason. Not just not a good table, NO table for me. I’m talking about going out of their way to make single diners feel “less than” and discriminated against. It makes my blood boil.

Thoughts and experiences?

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

I eat lunch out and alone 80% of the time, I have never felt any discrimination of any kind

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

lOVETOSHOP · ‎10-26-2010

I never dine alone, but I agree that it seems very discriminatory to refuse to seat someone just because they are dining alone. Would it affect their business THAT much?! They should be happy to serve EVERYONE, including single diners. You would think that they would be happy to serve a customer, single or not, and have that customer leave satisfied with their dining experience and by word-of-mouth, recommend their establishment to others.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

My friend thinks I'm ridiculous, but I don't like to eat alone. I have done it when I'm out of town alone and occasionally in town. I often meet people at restaurants, and when I go in alone the host/hostess will stand there with a menu and ask me if I need a table for one. I've never felt like they wouldn't serve me. I think that's really awful that they make you feel like that.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

MickD · ‎03-10-2010

While I've never been refused a table for one. I would not/have not hogged a 2-4 top with an ocean view...wouldn't feel right. It is appropriate to sit at a bar and dine as one.....done many a time...and I've met quite a few characters.

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.... ~ S & G

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

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.

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:
Just putting this out there for discussion.

When I go out to eat, mostly for lunch, late lunch or early dinner, I am alone 99% of the time. I’m happy to spend, from a burger to lobster, whatever the restaurant charges. I don’t look or act strange, and I tip very well.

My pet peeve is restaurants who discriminate against a “table for one.” There are restaurants who refuse to seat a party of one at view tables or desirable tables. I have had a restaurant tell me that I cannot even sit at a crummy table for two next to the kitchen, because two people dining together “might” come in and want it.

Conversely, I have gone into very expensive showcase type of restaurants who treat me like a lone queen.

Most times its management, but sometimes it’s the servers who would rather get the tip from a party of 2-4 than from me by myself - the servers refuse to serve you by ignoring you as if you weren’t even there until you get up and walk out.

Some people I’ve talked to about this consider it blatant illegal discrimination. But IMO the restaurants cover themselves with the “We have the right to refuse service to anyone” bit, or “you can sit here but you can’t sit there”, so not saying they won’t serve you at all.

I’d love to see someone start a class action lawsuit on behalf of single diners. It’s IS a social discrimination.

And yes, when this happens to me, I do get up and walk out, and I don’t t return. I also tell my local friends and family, who have said that based on my experience they will no longer go there or recommend it because of that kind of policy. People that I tell are usually shocked and horrified at how I’ve been treated and what’s been said to me.

Note: - I’m not saying establishments categorically refuse to serve me, they normally don’t (except for one recent incident where I was told I could not have a table specifically because I was alone and for no other reason. Not just not a good table, NO table for me. I’m talking about going out of their way to make single diners feel “less than” and discriminated against. It makes my blood boil.

Thoughts and experiences?

YOU believe it is actionable. YOU are aggrieved. YOU are "someone".

What is good for the goose today will also be good for the gander tomorrow.

Lucky Dog · ‎03-14-2010

A local newspaper or news station could do a story on this.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@lOVETOSHOP wrote:
I never dine alone, but I agree that it seems very discriminatory to refuse to seat someone just because they are dining alone. Would it affect their business THAT much?! They should be happy to serve EVERYONE, including single diners. You would think that they would be happy to serve a customer, single or not, and have that customer leave satisfied with their dining experience and by word-of-mouth, recommend their establishment to others.

Yes, @lOVETOSHOP, you would indeed think...

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@Nicknack wrote:
My friend thinks I'm ridiculous, but I don't like to eat alone. I have done it when I'm out of town alone and occasionally in town. I often meet people at restaurants, and when I go in alone the host/hostess will stand there with a menu and ask me if I need a table for one. I've never felt like they wouldn't serve me. I think that's really awful that they make you feel like that.

@NickNack I’ve never liked to do dinner solo, but I’m fine with lunch.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all