Can you do it alone???
 

So are you an "aloner?"

Someone who has no problem eating out alone, or watching a movie alone at a theater?

I'll confess, I have only eaten out alone (albeit at wendy's) one time, I had a dr.s appt in the med center that was over at 5, and had to be at church by 7 for services, with traffic, I never would have made it home and to services, and was really hungry, dont like eating in the car, so I ate at Wendy's (without Armor as my friend heather calls it - a paper, book, etc). If I wanna eat out at fridays, EZ's, Chilli's, but cant find anyone to go with, I'll get it to go and bring it home and eat in front of the TV. The thought of eating out alone at a Bennagins or soemthing is too much for me.

Yesterday I really wanted to go to the river and everyone bailed on me at the last minute, so I went by myself and had a great time. (Just sitting on the rocks, watching the tubers go by, lounging, getting some sun). I had never done that. I also went to the movies by myself for the first time. Really wanted to see a film and everyone was outta town. So I went alone. A strange feeling indeed. (Glad I did it, but it was a strange, different feeling)

My question is this... What can you do alone? What would you never do alone? Why?

With my upbringing, I can do almost anything alone, if I had to. But, if I had the choice I would do just about nothing alone, except for concentration and time in the bathroom. :D

I would never go to the movies, in the woods, to clubs/parties, or in any body of water alone!

If it's a fast food joint where I'm not being served, I have no problem eating alone. I do it all the time on campus in the caf. But if it's at Chili's or some other restaurant where I'm gonna be "Sandy...party of 1"...then no.

I can't do movies in a theater by myself, either.

I've recently gotten over my fear of going surfing alone. For a long time, I was afraid of going surfing or swimming by myself because I feared that there would be no one there to rescue me should anything bad happen. It's been a few months now since I've gotten over that fear...and thankfully nothing bad has happened.

I've gone out to eat alone many a times! When I was working at the court house we all had a different lunch schedule since we didn't shut down for lunch, so I was on my own. I felt very uncomfortable at first, but it got better with time. Of course, I would never go to a restaraunt or anything, but if I had to, I would. And eating in the caf alone, NEVER!

I can also go shopping alone. I know there are a lot of girls who would prefer to have someone go with them. I just don't want someone to go with me just in case they may be ready to leave when I am not. When I shop, I shop!! :D

I really wanted to see this male country singer. None of my friends are into country music as much as I am, so I went alone! I loved it!!!

The movies: nope! Can't do that one, but I have thought about it.

I couldnt go to a club or bar alone. Even if I was meeting friends there it might be a little hard. But I could never go to a club or bar alone. forgot about that one.

You'd think as an only child I would be ok doing things by myself, but I have huge problem with eating by myself. It's never been done. Honestly, I think when I've been forced to eat at a time when none of my friends were there, I have made friends with strangers just for the sake of having dining companions. (That's so weird, now that I think about it. What is so wrong with having a quick meal by yourself?) I don't even feel comfortable seeing someone else eating by themselves and if I know them even vaguely I'll call them over.
I'm not comfortable waiting at a table for too long by myself, either. I need to wait til someone's there so I can begin eating. Forget solo trips to the movies or out on the town...
I'm great at shopping and running errands by myself, though, b/c you're moving around and are absorbed in what you're doing. Sometimes I prefer it that way if I have important things to do.
But when I was up at school this year I was never ever alone. Like for anything at all. There was always a sister or roomate who had to go to the same place you did. So it kind of felt like I had no time to myself b/c I was always with someone or always had to be somewhere. Understandably, I'm taking a break from everything this summer!

ps: lol, when I read the title of this thread I thought it would be about single parenting, like "Can you go it alone?" Parenting by myself...something else I could never do!

It's never struck me entirely as odd that I do many things by myself. Honestly, I spend a lot of time alone. I guess it is kind of funny though, I'll try out new, nice resteraunts by myself so it's kind-of funny when I go out and eat a $20 meal by myself. I've been to movies alone, as well as concerts. I wouldn't go to a club alone, but I also wouldn't too frequently go with people unless it's someone I really enjoy dancing with...I hate the meat-market of those places. I'd venture to say that I'd do most anything alone. My brother will frequently camp by himself too. I've not done that, just because I think I might just get too bored because it'd be being alone for several days...of course my brother reminds me of Mersault ("The Stranger" - Albert Camus)

"Don't you want to join us?" I was recently asked by an acquaintance when he ran across me alone after midnight in a coffeehouse that was already almost deserted. "No, I don't," I said.

-Franz Kafka

I've eaten out alone quite a few times. You kind of have to when you have a job like mine where everyone has to take seperate lunch breaks. It's bad unless you can find a newspaper or something to bring with you.

Going to the movies I couldn' t handle. Renting a movie would be fine though.

Shopping alone is easy. No one likes shopping with me anyhow. I speed-shop as my girlfriend says. I just walk through the store looking at everything and if something catches my eye and I like it, I buy it as long as it's in my size. Never do I try things on. Try to spend no more than 5 minutes per store.

LHT
Kevin

Although I spend a lot of time alone lately, I'm not a loner. I can't go to the movies by myself, to a concert by myself, or out to dinner by myself. Sometimes I go up to the Union to grab food in between classes and even that used to feel weird and lonely. Even if I'm making a quick run to Target or going grocery shopping, I'll still call up a sister.

I have no problem eating alone. I had a job for a while where I was on the road all the time... sometimes I'd get together with a group of my coworkers for dinner, but other times it wasn't possible, so if I hadn't eaten alone, I wouldn't have eaten. :)

I rarely go to the movies, but when I go, it's generally with my husband and/or some friends.

Grocery shopping, I can do alone. If I'm going to the mall, though, I usually drag my husband along. :)

I can go shopping alone. In fact, I prefer to go shopping alone. I won't be held up or worry that someone else is getting impatient.
I won't eat alone. I did it a few times when I worked at the mall and it was so lonely. After 3 times, I started to bring my food back to work and I would sit in the back office on a cardboard box and eat it.

I'm an only child and have no problem doing things alone, in fact I sometimes prefer it. I have gone to movies alone, but would rather not...then again, it takes something major to even get me into the movie theater with a date these days since movies are so expensive and there are so many rude people there. I'll wait for the video.

My first college roomie had 7 siblings and she was completely incapable of eating or doing most anything alone.

I LOVE to shop alone or with someone who wants to spilt up and meet back.

I will not eat alone, go to the movies alone, or go out alone.

I wasn't always like that, but since college and always having tons of friends around there was no need to be alone and I guess I got used to that...?

Plus I'm the baby of the family and was always with someone...

Weird?

All by myyyself
 

I can do a lot of things alone and really enjoy them, mainly shopping. I absolutely HATE shopping with other people, why I don't know, I just do. Some things though, such as go to a club or bar or the pool by myself is kinda weird for me, don't think I could do that. When I work out though I must must MUST be by myself, just me and my walkman, hah. Don't know why that is either, but I just have no motivation to work out when I'm with other people.....isn't it usually the other way around? Ahh well! :D

I work in a restaurant, and a lot of people come in by themselves....nobody thinks anything of it, really. If I'm out somewhere and I see someone eating alone, I don't really think anything of it. However, I could never ever do that myself!! I've done fast food places alone, but always with "armor" as you called it....homework, etc. I would never go to a movie alone. I don't know if it's a self confidence issue or what, but I would feel like everyone was talking about me if I was sitting in a movie alone!!!

I can and would do just about anything alone. I have no problem shopping, eating, or going to a bar or club or coffee house alone. I would go to a movie, but I rarely ever see movies. Actually, I would even go on vacation alone, and almost did recently. To me, doing stuff alone is kind of liberating, and, as an only child, I'm used to spending time by myself. I enjoy living alone (well, but with cats of course). :)

I cannot eat alone, ever. But I can go shopping alone, actually i think its better alone.

Ronnie :D

If I want restaurant food but don't have anyone to go with, I will get it to go. But I do not eat alone.

I love to do everything alone, except for the psychos running around. Last week we had a grad student viciously murdered a few blocks from my place and two weeks earlier another grad student disappeared while jogging on the levee.

Yeah, I like to do things alone, but......................

the only thing that i will do/like to do alone is shop..like everyone else has said i like not having to worry about anyone being impatient, and i also don't like having to wait for someone when i'm ready to go.. i could never go to the movies alone..i don't even like sitting alone while my friend goes to get snacks, or to the bathroom..i would never go to the bar alone..even if i was meeting someone, i would make sure they were already there before i left. same thing for eating alone..can't do it..i ahve this thing with eating in public anyway..no way i could go to a restraunt and eat alone...i always feel so bad when i see little old people eating alone too..its just so sad

I'm an only child also so things like shopping,going to the movies,and going out to resturants don't bother me. I have not and will not go to a bar or club by myself. There's just werid and scary for me

I'm a only child I can do anything alone. I'm happiest when I am alone!http://www.plauder-smilies.de/scatter.gif

I've done a lot of stuff alone, even though I'm not an only child...

I eat alone fairly often, I did when I was still on meal plan. I kept fairly weird hours, and had lots of working lunches and reading the papers. It was something I was scared to do as a first-year, but I think it's something I've gotten over now.

I've been to a concert alone, Better than Ezra. It was a Sunday afternoon during midterms, and it was free. I wanted to go--so I did.

I shop alone, for the most part. I browse when I'm with other people, but I am pretty picky about what I buy, so I usually make my purchases alone.

And for the kicker...

I spent 4 days in Paris alone. Yeah, I had friends in the city, but they were occupied, and I didn't meet up with them until my last day. I did everything--the subway, museums, cafes, Versailles--by myself. I had a cellphone and mace, so I wasn't too worried. Oh yeah, and I don't know French.

I am forced to do things by myself. I am told that I have built in birth control. My personality.

I have a question, what does everyone have against going to movies alone? Most of the time, the theater is dark and no one can see that you are alone and you may even meet another single movie goer.

I like doing things alone. I have travelled around Europe on my own, eaten in restaurants on my own and gone to movies on my own. I do like shopping with friends though because they usually have better eyes then I do and they find things for me that I wouldn't pick out on my own. For example, I went shopping with my best friend one day and she found a wool brooks bothers suit for me for 79 dollars. I never would have done that well on my own.

I'm an only child and I treasure my "alone time." Now that I am a married mother of 2, I get very little of that, but I enjoy it when I do! I don't have a problem doing things alone. I used to, but when you get a little older you lose some of that super self-consiousness. If other people think you're some kind of nerd just because you're by yourself, then there's something wrong with them!!!!

That said, I do things semi-alone. I am a stay-home mom, so I've always got the rugrats with me. I don't let it stop me from doing the things I want to do.....we eat out a lot (I hate to cook) and going with two toddlers is a lot like going by yourself, with interruptions. Conversation is certainly limited.

When my mom was living she used to go out alone a lot. She hated it.....she always felt so pitiful...but she was a very magnetic person and managed to befriend all the people who worked at the places she frequented, so she wasn't as alone as she thought.

I have to admit, I have never gone to a movie by myself but I would think it would be a logical thing to do.....I mean, you aren't going to be talking during the film!!!! (Well, you SHOULDN'T.....that doesn't stop some jackholes from doing it but you know what I mean....)

In regards to eating alone..i forgot to add that the entire week and a half that i lived in the dorms my freshman year, i refused to eat in the dining hall b/c i would have to eat alone...so all during rush i subsisted on fruit loops & ramen

I'm also an only child, so I'm used to entertaining myself. I've never gone to a restaurant alone or movies alone - I don't thnk I could do that. In HS when all of my friends had a different lunch than I did, I would eat as fast as humanly possible, sitting in a secluded spot, and then head to the library to surf the internet. Considering this was in 96 before I had internet at home, its not quite as sad as it sounds ;)

In college, I got used to hanging with my boyfriend ALL THE TIME. As in 3.5 years of beign with each other day and night. To the point where the only alone time I'd get was when he was in class, and vice versa. It got to where I never felt like I could do anything in Baton Rouge by myself. I think I maybe went to the grocery alone 10 times in all of college - if that many. It started out as just being fun to be together and make chores like grocieries seem easier. But it kind of turned into a paralyzation of sorts. It was wierd, anytime I'd go somewhere alone, usually when he was busy, I'd feel so empowered with myself. Which is strange because when I'm at home, I usually run all my errands alone.

I hated walking to class by myself - I'd usually call someone just to pass the time. TGhank goodness for unlimited mobile-to-mobile!

True, true. Ihave gone to the movies alone, all of one time. lol. And I did kinda cheat. I went to the one at 281 & 1604, where its nothing but soccer moms and young families. It is a new theater, so I justified it to myself that way - saying that I wanted to see the new theater. Truth be told, there are 2 right by the university, and they are both about 5 minutes closer to where I live. I went there because I knew I wouldnt run into anyone I knew.

I guess I was/am afraid that soemone I'd know would spot me, and I am really outgoing, and always with other people. I think theyd wonder why I was alone. like a "why would he be alone?" kinda thing. Even tho I KNOW in my mind I could just say it was a spur of the moment kinda thing and I couldnt find anyone - which was the truth.

I used to hate showing up at chapter parties alone. Just felt like all the guys expected me to have a beautiful gal on my arm, or with a bunch of "outside friends" - other greeks, whathave you. I got over that by just understanding that no one prolly really cared who I was with, as long as I was there. And I made a routene of arriving at functions, saying hello to and chatting with the first person I know, getting comfortable, then going around the party socially and saying hello to everyone. By then I was well at ease. Now, I never think about it, its not an issue.

Still wouldnt go to a bar or club alone. I never go to hook up, just go to have a good time with my friends. If my friends werent there, why would I go????

I went to the movies by myself, actually I was suppose to meet someone and I went into the wrong room, but I was alone-does this count? I eventually met up with him after the movie. I can shop alone, but that is about all. I do not eat alone and will not go to a bar alone (unless I am going to meet someone but technically that would not be alone b/c at the bar I would eventually be with someone else-yada, yada, yada).

About the only thing I'm not comfortable doing alone is going to a bar or club.

I go to the movies alone frequently--can think of few better ways to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than seeing 1, 2, sometimes 3 movies in a row. :) But, most of you won't be suprised by that coming from me, your resident cinephile. :D

I've eaten alone, don't mind it at all in a lunchtime type setting, but am a bit uncomfortable when its dinner, so I'll usually get the food to go and go home.

I shop alone, most of the time prefer it that way.

I've gone to weddings and parties alone--I figure what's the big deal, I was invited and will know a lot of people there, rather go alone so I can leave when I want and not be beholden to someone else's schedule. Only once did this prove to be a problem, ironically the very first time I decided to go to a party alone, and y'all have heard enough of my drinking stories already... ;) lol

I live alone and my family lives out of state and at this stage of the game most of my friends locally are married with babies, so I've gotten used to doing things on my own.

LOL, I've often wondered how much more difficult it will be when I do finally have a boyfriend to integrate someone into my life when I am so used to being on my own, taking care of myself on my own, fending for myself. :) But for regular companionship, love and affection-- I'll happily suffer the "space" issues! LOL

Amy

I have never ate at a restaurant alone, not even a fast food place.

I have never been to the movies alone.

At first i didnt even like to go shopping alone. Heck, i couldnt even go to Walgreens alone, and i love that place. I like going shopping with my mom so she can give me her opinion on things, but she gets very impatient with me sometimes because i am very indecisive and take FOREVER picking anything out. I am not really too fond of going to the mall alone because of all those stories you hear about women going alone. Sometimes I'll drag my little brother with me :eek: but if its somewhere close by like Old Navy or Bath and Body Works, then im okay with it and it is even better since like many of you have said, no one is pressuring you to leave already.

Have any of you gone to starbucks alone? If i ever go there alone, ill get my drink and leave. Ive thought about going alone and just sitting outside like many many other people do, but i cant.

I am basically very dependent on other people!:eek:

I like to go to the movies alone, but at night it can be scary. Being one of the last few poeple in the theater alone is freaky. Then, going to the car by yourself. At that point i'm basically running!http://www.plauder-smilies.de/uhoh.gif

I'm a loner, I guess. Although I like to have peeps around sometimes. Depends on my mood. I really value my privacy though.

I go shopping alone, but only beacuse when I'm alone I can take 5 times longer than usual and no one is waiting around for me. But I do like to go with my friends and get those brutal honest opinions that salespeople just can't give you.
I haven't gone to the movies alone, but there are so many out right now that my friends can't make it to, I might just have to go. I won't eat at a sit down resaurant alone, but I'll do it in like a cafe or starbucks, or fast food.. but I'll usually have a book to read or home work, or somehting to do.. I can't just sit there.
I actually thrive on having people around, and if at all possible I prefer it. I'm not dependant on other people bing around, I just really like it.

I will do most things alone (expect bars/clubs) but I need to have people around, even if I don't know them. I like being in a public space filled with people cause being alone alone makes me think something scarys going to happen. I will traipse around the city, go out to dinner, or whatever alone but if I had to be alone some place isolated/outdoorsy like a park, or the woods, or whatever natural place it might be I would be freaked out.

gosh i have to say that i've gone to the movies alone a few times when i was in kentucky for an internship and i had NO one to hang out with. i haven't gone out to eat at a restaurant alone but you know just last week i was thinking that i should. but i mean what would i do? bring a newspaper? i like having someone to talk to or make faces at or be silly with. but i do go to yoga alone, i do shop alone, i have gone on walks alone. sometimes alone is very good and lets you think.

This subject hits home with me since I have moved up to a large city and don't know a lot of people.

I too have one of those lunch hours, actually dinner, by myself and I will eat out once or twice a week, but its always fast, healthy-type food.

I go to the gym, go running on the lake or in my neighborhood alone. But I like this, I feel independant.

I have always thought that I would never go to a bar alone, but I did one night after an aweful blind date. I took a taxi from my apt to an irish bar by me and sat at the bar with my corona making convo with a cute bartender who also just got off work and was by himself. So it turned out okay, but I don't think I would do it again.

I like to be around people too much, and when I am at home in St. Louis I am always out with friends and family whether it be on the town or running in Forest Park or watching rented movies.

I've learned that those people are whats really important now that they are not so close. But at the same time, I'm developing my own since of self.

i love doing some things by myself. this includes eating out, going to the movies, sporting events, etc. when eating alone, if i don't bring reading material, i'll just ask for a seat by the window. this allows me to "people watch".