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The Dynamics of Dining Alone

People who are single and tend to eat alone, are faced with several non-essential things to consider.

Firstly the booking itself for a fine dining place are never for single people and singles like me, just end up saying that I actually need a booking for two.
And if I do land up without a reservation and it's the peak time, it's very unlikely that they will dedicate a table to me alone. So you have to keep loitering about, or then make sure that you arrive at the restaurant just as they are opening their doors or at a generally not so popular hour.

So, if you do manage to get seated, then comes the bit about having to get the attention of the server. They almost always keep waiting for someone else to join the lone diner and one has to specially flag them down and explain that it's just the one for the meal, and the extra place setting should be removed.

Once that is sorted, you have to traverse the labyrinthine made-for-two-couldnot-give-a-damn-for-the-lone-diner menu. The servers keep stressing that this portion is too large or that one is for two people! Great suggestions, but then what's on the menu for singles? And even if I over order can I not get a doggy bag?

When you have ordered to the satisfaction of the server, one now has to decide what is to be done whilst consuming the meal. Does one read a book? Or do you Netflix and chill(with headphones of course.)? Or God forbid do you look around and catch the eye of a person who is there with a group but finds it terribly fascinating that you are eating alone? That's the absolute pits when you know that someone is watching you and have to eat so consciously. By the way I have tried all of the above and suffice to say that reading a book on my mobile works fine for me.

Another issue is these apps which give so much free stuff and great discounts, but always to two and above. What the hell is it with you guys? Why are the rights of the Singles not catered to? Watch out that we do not band together and file a Civil liberties suit against you.

But all said and done single dining works just like anything else in life, know what you want and just go for it!

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