Eating Alone in Italy
Oct 12th, 2004, 12:10 PM
#21
As a single person who enjoys restaurants at home and lives to travel... well I end up dining solo quite often. With a little practice it's no big deal.
I usually bring reading material, which I may or may not pull out depending how I feel once I'm seated. When traveling, a free local weekly entertainments listing is good. (side note: a paperback book make a great prop if you don't want people to talk to you on a plane or a train, just look like your really concentrating!)
I usually choose more casual places, partly because I like them best and the patrons are more apt to be a mix of singles, couples, families, groups. Whereas high-end restaurants are more likely to be couples dining.
Even if I'm in a town just for a few days, if I enjoyed a meal I return to the same restaurant. It's amazing how quickly you can become a "regular" with the staff.
Also (as an ex-waitress) I am aware that I am a "1" where the waiter could have seated a "2", so as far as what I order, how much I tip, etc. I like to be generous. And I always order a carafe of house wine!
I usually bring reading material, which I may or may not pull out depending how I feel once I'm seated. When traveling, a free local weekly entertainments listing is good. (side note: a paperback book make a great prop if you don't want people to talk to you on a plane or a train, just look like your really concentrating!)
I usually choose more casual places, partly because I like them best and the patrons are more apt to be a mix of singles, couples, families, groups. Whereas high-end restaurants are more likely to be couples dining.
Even if I'm in a town just for a few days, if I enjoyed a meal I return to the same restaurant. It's amazing how quickly you can become a "regular" with the staff.
Also (as an ex-waitress) I am aware that I am a "1" where the waiter could have seated a "2", so as far as what I order, how much I tip, etc. I like to be generous. And I always order a carafe of house wine!
