Posting your proud lack of imagination is a lot more like pulling down your pants and scratching your ass in public than enjoying dinner alone in a restaurant.

If there is a difference based on sex, it is not on how they are perceived. It would be on how women (or men) "think" others are perceiving them.

Nobody is going to stare at someone or even more because it is a woman sitting by herself (well unless she is cute and they want to flirt but then they are not think ahh poor her).

No matter how it is cut up etc. It would still be based on personal self consciousness issues. Being concerned with or overly concerned with what others may be thinking about "you". Some people are just scared shitless of being noticed, standing out, not blending in, or being in any way that social when on their own. Again really do not think it is a sexual issue either and is just a mental one.

What you fail to understand is that a pretty woman can do it anytime because everyone automatically assumes it's by choice.

I do this all the time, sometimes I prefer it because I can go where I want to eat and I don't have to worry about cheap friends/girls not liking the food. I eat what I want, till I'm full, pay and bounce. It's always a good meal!!

And about people watching me eat, if people are (which I seriously doubt anyone gives enough of a fuck about) just means that the person they're sitting with isn't satisfying them. Not my problem!

Relationships needs to be nurtured day in and day out, including friends
you NEED social contact

only in special grooves :winkwink:

do it all the time...

I'm heading out the door now to go to a restaurant by myself.

Yeah of course

I love to eat alone at restaurants.. cheaper and more peaceful. No mess to clean up after ward

Although wanting to drive randomly around at x AM in the morning has always been a long-held dream of mine, which will one day come to fruition when I finally graduate, get a job and get my own place, I think it shows a good example of where myself and others get the neurosis about eating alone.

The example being that my friend apparently was driving around between 2 and 4 in the morning, and was pulled up by the police, who didn't believe the legitimacy of her reason for driving as "Because I wanted to drive, and practically cautioned her (albeit informally) to go home.

If the attitude of Police is one of "You're doing something outside the norms of society, which although not suspiciously of illegal intent nor illegal itself makes us want to scare you back into obeying those norms" then it's no wonder that non-authoritarian people like me have issues about doing things alone.

:2 cents:

Baush, would you like to come out with me tonight to Red Lobster? I will use Achmed's black amex and buy you very expensive wine.

I'm doing it right now! I do it all the time, minus the laptop. I prefer it these days. I enjoy listening in on other people, people watching, spacing off, etc... Just to get out of the house and not have to worry about someone else and whether they want to stay, leave, etc.

There's a big difference between being alone and being lonely. :2 cents:

It's nice to get some alone time every once in a while

err i'm not promising no use of cell phone, but if i'm hungry, i'm hungry

I'm imagining a bunch of people who like eating alone all making dinner reservations at the same time in the same place during one of the conventions and sitting by ourselves, each at our individual tables. It would be, like, performance art. Or something.

interesting story testpie because I have noticed that before, when the cops want to pull you over because you looked suspicious, but the definition of suspicious in their minds was just because they saw you driving around late at night ... I'll sometimes go through a drive thru late at night and then drive around while eating and listening to the all night talk shows... but totally hate when all of the sudden there is a cop tailing me for no reason which seems to happen late at night more often

I see your point.

However, if I really felt that strongly about being harassed. I would just sue them.

I have been pulled over late at night for no reason. Or when I was younger because the car was a hooptie or making noise. But oh well. 10 minutes, and I was on my way.

Not only WOULD I be brave enough - I AM brave enough bc I have done it a few times...

things dont add up here, I live in NYC I go out to restaurants all the time with one or more person, I never see a guy or girl alone at a table.

I think most here are full of shit, youd never walk into a restaurant alone, at least not where there are 20 sets of people sitting and you will go to a table and eat by yourself give me a break.

Yes I would and have. Nothing wrong with that. :)