how often do u go out to eat?

[mhealer3]

i'd like to dine out more often, but i don't want to go alone.
it didn't use to bother me to dine alone, but i can't do it lately.

i think it's because i'm alone ALL the time now,
(whereas before, i was married --with kids & had a job).

the kids grew up, i got separated & lost my job...all within 3 years.
(now it's TOO MUCH alone time.)

what a difference:
in years prior, i had almost NO ALONE TIME, with kids & working 40 hrs/wk.

it's just quite a shock. to be suddenly ALL alone.
i never did get it right,
because for 20 years i overdid it, ended getting injured & exhausted.
the anxiety was so bad at that time i took meds just to make it through.

and now there's nobody to even eat with --after all that. wtf.

[mhealer3]

i know what u mean,
at times it was fun--or at least ok--to be out dining in a group(when i had to).

but i don't foresee it for my near future either.

[firemonkey]

I have only dined out somewhere reasonably posh twice in the last 10 years. Both were last year-for my birthday and my befriender's birthday.
I was quite self conscious both times.

[Mr Ploppy]

About 4 times a year.

[Vanessa]

i haven't gone to an actual restaurant in a year almost to the day (not counting eating at pub)

its' something i enjoy, it doesn't really bother me sa-wise but i can't really afford/don't have people to go with.

[pinkwafer]

I love food.

When I can afford to, I go around twice a month.

Between the ages of 12 and 16 I had a severe problem with public eating - I avoided it. It was a phobia really. This meant at school, I did not eat. I slowly got myself out of it though. Phew, eh?

[We_Hate_You]

Only ever if it's a family thing, not that they notice I''m there.

[KarateGirl]

I agree with Lone Dog.

I generally dislike eating out and only rarely do it. It's expensive, not adjusted to my tastes and in smaller portions. And I don't know how healthy the ingredients are. At home I can make my favourite food every day if I want to, and make it exactly how I like it. And I always read while eating - in a restaurant it's not so easy to do that.

Most importantly, I find using other people's plates and cutlery actually quite repulsive. It's a thing I have. I never share those. Yeah, I know I'm fussy.

[Zardo]

Rarely, just go to the chip shop a few times a year. Maybe get me and my young nephews a drive-thru Mcdonald's when my sis comes with them once a year also. I went to pizza hut by myself once for the all you can eat buffet lunch meal, "table for one is it?" me: yep! Wouldn't have been so bad if everyone else there hadn't been in loved up couples or families, some were smirking and staring at me.

I often imagine what would happen if by some miracle I got a date now and went out to a fancy restaurant, it'd be so alien to me. But I'd want to impress and not come across pathetic/********/awkward.

But I suppose why worry about things that will never occur?

[Cowburn]

Very rarely, I struggle to eat in public. I usually don't attend any family meals for this reason.

[Caribou]

Originally Posted by Cowburn

Very rarely, I struggle to eat in public. I usually don't attend any family meals for this reason.

Ditto.

[Dannysbabe]

Originally Posted by Cowburn

Very rarely, I struggle to eat in public. I usually don't attend any family meals for this reason.

Same here.

[sammmy]

i haven't been out to eat in ...five years? more a eating disorder thing than an SA thing though

[Toxic]

are we talking relatively fancy places?

or just pub meals/burger king or something

ive got no issues with sitting in a pub/fast food place with a few people and eating (ive even been known to sit in burger king on my todd occasionally!)

i used to go for pub meals all the time when i had a job..every week pretty much, though it was only just open for serving food and was practically dead which was great..when its rammed i feel a bit more uncomfortable and get a bit paranoid people are looking at me..but still i manage..

fancy places...ermm..i went to an Italian once last year..and i went to a proper chinese place once too both work related..but apart from them..never really...i dont like this as much...i dont like having to make a tit of myself speaking out loud in front of people trying to pronounce something i dont understand..**** it ill have chips..i can say chips!

you also dont get that much and it costs too sodding much, i dont really care for it at all..id rather sit in burger king with a bacon double cheeseburger ..wait no..id rather sit in my bedroom with a kebab/pizza! aww yeahh

[Peyre]

I really struggle with eating in public often I just get indigestion and the food doesn't go down, so I feel anxious about not eating what I ordered, and end up going to the toilet trying to prevent myself from being sick

Not great when dating!

[Tom123]

I really enjoy going out to eat.

Sadly the tight purse strings mean that I can't do it as often or go to the quality of places that I would like too. I want to go to The Fat Duck so badly, sadly I can't see myself having £250 to spare any time soon.

[schneebeli]

Only once or twice a year when I visit immediate family if we're talking proper sit-down restaurants. Although I don't enjoy eating in public, a few drinks anaesthetise against that and allow me to enjoy it, but only in places with plenty of space between tables, otherwise I tend to walk.

[custom_fusion-lqx]

i dont like people looking at me when im eating...


(though thats probably paranoid as i doubt they look at me)

[Between The Bars]

never!