The art of solo dining.

Now don't take me for an expert, because I'm still relatively new at this adventure I call "going out to eat at a sit down restaurant all by myself".  But, I have gained a few pearls of advice which might make it easier for you, if you are newer at it than I am.  You too, can dine (and hey, have a drink while you're at it) alone.  Here's how:

1. Gather your confidence.  Heck, throw on your high heels before leaving the house if you want. 

2. Approach hostess with said confidence and a smile, tell her (or him) "its just me".

3. Make no apologies.  "Its just you" because you are your very best company, so duh, who else would you rather have a meal with?  ....maybe your best friend sister boyfriend mom dad and grandma, but the hostess doesn't have to know that.

4. If there's a wait (and you don't feel like waiting because you're hungry) look for a seat at the bar.  If they're serving food, this is great for a couple reasons.  One, you don't have to look across an empty table stuck in the middle of the dining room feeling like all eyes are on you and two, there's usually one random open seat at any given bar and then you don't have to wait anymore.  Oh yeah, you own this place.

5.  Remember, no one cares.  If you feel like people are looking at you and casting judgement, get over yourself.  They're all too busy enjoying their meals and conversations to notice one little person sitting over there.  If they do notice you sitting all by your little lonesome, they're probably thinking, "hey, look at that confident and mysterious person over there!  I wish I had the guts to go out to eat alone". 

6.  Bring a book.  Read it in between sips of that drink you ordered, tuck the crease under your plate to keep the page down so you can have two hands to handle your knife and fork.  That book, or newspaper or magazine, is your best friend.  Didn't your elementary school teachers always tell you books were your friends?  These lessons pay off people!!!  

7.  Put your phone down.  Don't call, don't incessantly text, don't peruse Facebook for longer than 15 seconds.  I'm no Miss Manners, but cell phones and restaurants just don't mix in my book.  

8.  Keep yourself to a one-drink maximum.  If you can't, maybe check yourself into the next local AA meeting.  Go home and polish off that half-bottle of wine you have left, but keep your solo drinking out of public.  

9.  When your bill comes, unless your waiter did a really truly terrible job, leave him a nice tip.  Unless you sat at the bar, you took up one table that could have handled more than one person, and thus a bigger bill and thus a bigger tip to help him pay his way through college.  Or something.  I don't know, take this or leave this one, but I believe its nice to be considerate of those who serve you.  

10.  Close that book, grab your bag (don't forget your debit card in the bill-fold after you've signed your receipt), and go!  Ta-da!  You did it!  Woohoo!  It only gets easier.