How do you feel about being alone in public?

Question

Things like shopping alone, eating alone, etc. I'm 16 and male and I've noticed that when you're alone and walk into shops browsing some people give you strange looks because of the fact you're alone; this becomes much more pronounced when you're in food places. Even in places like Subway, if you walk in alone and sit down alone, people stare at you like "wtf?". Eating alone seems to be totally unacceptable for some reason. People don't seem to get it.

I used to be really paranoid about what people thought of me for being alone, but I don't give a toss anymore. I don't need to be with a huge group of people to feel complete.

Also, people seem to think it's weird going to the cinema alone. Although it isn't as obvious in the cinema.

Answer 1

I prefer being by myself, I'm by myself 99% of the time. I go out to nice restaurants, museums, fairs, movies, zoos, parks and I even go on vacations alone. It's more relaxing, not always having to chat and no disagreements on where to go. Only in restaurants do I sometimes feel people look at me funny, you're right, that's still a bit uncommon. In other places I've never noticed anyone who thinks it's weird for me to be alone.

Answer 2

Well frankly, you have to have more life experience to understand that people don't honestly care if you are alone or not and if some do, it's just not an issue. You are not comfortable doing these things alone and you think that others are staring at you. When you get out in the work force and have to travel for business, there are many people having to eat or socialize by themselves. It isn't an issue. You aren't comfortable yet in your own skin to realize the difference. Shopping alone is a given. Eating alone takes a good sense of self. Frankly, eating at a Subway doesn't count. When you can go to a fine dining establishment and have a dinner alone, you have come into yourself. Do it all the time when my husband is out of town. No one looks at me strange. I come into any establishment well dressed and with confidence. It works fine. You have years left to develop past your insecurities. Don't make decisions on life when your are only a child and still dealing with childish insecurities.

Answer 3

I think the only time i even notice if someone is alone is if they are sitting in a nice restaurant...i just want to go and eat with them....otherwise i don't really notice. But i have notice I become more paranoid about what people think when i am doing all those activities alone

Answer 4

I think it must depend where you are. I'm in Edinburgh & in most places here there are plenty of people on their own in cafes, restaurants, cinemas, etc.. A lot of people go to cafes and coffee shops on their own in order to curl up with a book. No one thinks twice about it.

It a shame it's the way it is where you are. If you can manage to not give a toss about what other people think then that is great. It's not an easy thing to do. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, I go a lot of places alone because sometimes I like my space and my time to myself. I have friends but I am not going to call them to give me company just because I don't want to be seen as a loser, even if I don't feel like having company. I honestly don't care. I especially go to the mall by myself, since I don't care ot have company unless I real want to shop and gossip -lol. I see a lot of young women like myself ,cute one too alone and shopping , and to me this shows that they are confident. I'm glad to say I don't have issues and need people with me 24/7,. it's sad when one does.

Answer 6

I love going out alone in public and do it all the time. I especially enjoy going to the movies alone. And yes, I eat out alone all the time. Plenty of people do it.

Don't worry about what other people think. Most people are afraid to be alone. You obviously enjoy your own company. That will be of great benefit to you in the future, as you can always enjoy yourself wherever you are.

Answer 7

The ability to be alone in public or by yourself is a sign of a healthy self-esteem. For the level of confidence you display at age 16 is highly admirable. It has been said, "You can not make someone happy until you are truly happy with yourself".

Answer 8

Ever be conscious once you have been a toddler there have been infants who extremely joyful twiddling with their in demand toy with the aid of themselves, not that they might chase different infants away or not welcome their participation in basic terms that they did not tension others to take part, and, then there have been those infants who constantly required complete audiences in basic terms to be waiting to play? We adults are like that, now of direction we don't play with toys, yet, nonetheless, some are content to have found out "however on my own am not lonely" of their walk with the aid of existence, on an identical time as others are nonetheless at that insecure degree the place they might desire to pull different persons into their events so as to function. As in step with your question - no, i don't sense ashamed being waiting to "play with the aid of myself", neither do I keep at bay every physique wishing to work together, I do in basic terms not sense shame over not having dragged others into my existence. -Pat

Answer 9

Hey welcome to my world. I never pay attention to people when I'm out in the world. I used to go to the movies alone all the time. I've noticed grown people stare as much as toddlers, where are all the moms to tell their children, "It's not nice to stare"

Answer 10

There is nothing wrong with it. I go places, shop and eat alone soetimes and I really dont care what other people think. If they are looking at you, maybe they think you are nice looking!