Its takes a certain amount of guts to go to a restaurant and have supper by yourself. For breakfast and lunch, there is some kind of excuse related to work / friends /shopping / on the go etc , but a dinner table for one comes clouded in looserness.
If anyone out there wants to avoid the effort of making a crap dinner and eating it by themselves, or wants to experience the singleton, here are some quick guidelines to survive a singles meal:
Rule #1 Pick an appropriate venue
At the end of the day if you are by yourself, the last thing you want is to be surrounded by couples. Family restaurants and hotspots for the young and restless are ideal for enjoying a meal for one without feeling like a gooseberry holding a neon arrow pointing downwards.
Rule #2 Avoid the extremes
Sitting right in the middle of the restaurant bustle is like having a spotlight directed on your large table with one dish. On the other hand, it is no good hiding in a secluded corner at the back, because then you might as well have done a takeaway at home. A table just slighty off to the side or in the middle of a larger group gives you your privacy and allows you to decide if you want to be part of the bigger picture that evening.
Rule #3 Feed your hunger
If you are going to eat out, then eat out properly. Two courses, drinks, dessert, coffee etc are all part of the restaurant experience. If you just want a salad and a cup of coffee, then go toWoolies and Wimpy instead.
Rule #4 Enjoy your surroundings
If you are a people watcher, then observe your fellow diners. If you are a wannabe interior decorator, then admire the paintings, the wall hangings, the cutlery, the table mats and the chair backs. If you are a nervous wreck, then take a deep breath and smile. As long as you look comfortable on your own then you have nailed it.
Then again, if you are totally at ease pounding through a 4 course meal with a bottle of wine and a genuine air of nonchalance, you dont need these rules. I admire you.
