Hanging out at bars and/or restaurants alone: A Post For The Ladies
For all of you ladies who are single or travel a lot or are just the type of person who “dosen’t like to eat or drink alone” I have one thing to say.
Get Over Yourself and Go Out…Alone!
I get it. My title doesn’t garner much confidence, especially if you are really sensitive to how people perceive you when you’re out alone. But the great thing is…they really don’t care about you anyway. (smile)
I say all of this with much love because you are really missing out if you chose to not go out just because you don’t have a warm body with you. I’ve been traveling my entire life and I’ve learned very early on that…
– There are people that don’t tip when they eat out and you DO NOT want to eat with them.
– People that travel with you may not like the same type of food/entertainment that you like.
– You may not want to eat with the people you are with.
– You hate the people you are with.
– You may be alone but you still need to eat…and maybe even have an adult beverage (and drinking in your hotel room is just sad).
OR
-You are a single chick traveling and just want some outta town action (I know that was crude, but hey…this is 2015 all you single ladies!)
With any of these situations you will need to go it alone and trust me…you will end up loving it. I have run into so many amazing people and situations traveling, eating and drinking alone. Places that are off limits to a couple of people are wide open for one person. I get amazing cheap seats at the theaters in New York because they can’t fill that ONE seat in the orchestra section or I can jump in a last minute tour because there is only ONE more space in the group.
I have mentored a ton of young women on the ways of going it alone and they all report back to me their success stories. Free food, free drinks, dates, solid business connections, amazing conversations, meeting new interesting people…all the things that would have NEVER happened sitting across from someone else and only paying attention to them. Going out alone, I have met Black Angus Farm Ranchers in Texas, Sports Agents in Cali, Oil Tycoons in Florida and one of the top 10 Fortune 500 CEO’s in New York. I’ve been invited to cookouts, events, skiing and just to the bar around the corner with the group I just met because a group of people will always welcome ONE person. If I actually go with these people is another thing but that’s a separate post on “Safety When Out Alone”.
Story: I was at a sushi restaurant eating at the bar. It was pretty empty and then a guy came in to get take out. I was chatting with the bartender so when he walked up to order, we included him in the conversation. He was very friendly and super chatty, telling us he was taking food home to his family because it was sushi night and he and his wife were lawyers who both loved their jobs. He then paid for his takeout and left. I sat there for another 15 minutes and then asked for my bill. The waiter said, “That guy who was here paid for it. Did you know him at all?” Surprised, I said, “Nope, never saw him before”. The waiter said, “well, he wrote on his tab that he would pick up your bill as well and not to tell you. So I figured he knew you.” Although that has happened quite a few times since.. that was the first time it happened and I’m still in awe over his generosity.
On that note…Make this the year you break out of your clique and head to your local pub and have a great time…with…YOU!
