This is really interesting. Hi, Im Terry I'm a psych major too. Hmmn... Maybe shoppers might think the solo diner is waiting for someone else or the solo diner might be a loser. I have an issue of concern with the research that you pointed out. In the research, you asked people to focus and look at the solo diner. I think, however, in real life, people wouldnt really focused on the solo diner but instead carry on with what their own diner in the restaurant?

Younger women were likely to be considered single and, therefore sadder, waiting at the diner alone, maybe jilted. Younger men would have been perceived as alert and interested, prowling. Older men may have been perceived as interested, but nonchalant or content, not particularly waiting for anyone, but perhaps open to meeting others. Older women could have been seen as perfectly content, perhaps escaping into a cozy restaurant and happy to be alone (but this is contingent upon whether they were in the 30 - 40 range during which they would have been considered lonely or 40 - 60 range where they would have been considered content).

I predict that the woman dining alone is perceived differently, but not as much difference on the man. Not sure if people will find her sadder or not.

I also used to think that if I dine alone, people will think I'm a loser - until I notice other people dining alone and I actually think they are very cool.

In Europe, I see people dining alone all the time. They go to fancy restaurants and order the full course too. They seem to enjoy their life very much. They appear to me to be more confident, independent and happier. I also do wonder how young women can finish a bottle of wine alone, finish the entire course and stay so thin and beautiful.

Anyway, I think we are usually harsher on ourselves then on others. So it is probably no big deal if you dine alone.

I'm guessing that older women are most harshly judged, followed by younger women, and that both genders are frequently judged to be trolling for mates, when in reality (at least in my own female solo dining experience) women greatly prefer to be left alone.

I'm going to paint with a very broad brush here and say all were perceived to be either (1) lonely people who were pining for a mate or (2) attempting to forget about a recent breakup w/ a significant other or spouse or (3) were somehow perceived as being undersireable because of their un-coupled status.

I like to take a book because I like to feel connected to people (even ficitonal characters) but I find socializing to be an immense chore. I rather enjoy my own company.

I agree with D.C. about the first three reasons, but there can also be two more.

4) Enjoyment of solitude
5) Laziness or timidness of picking another table once their company has fled

Personally, the only reason why I dine alone is either to catch up on work that has to be done, or because my friends left and I would be finished soon anyway.

Women and men aren't much different when it comes to the sense of social belonging, yet individuals can be and their enjoyment of solitude varies. There are many stereotypical views to dining solo, probably coming down to evolutionary psychology and how it's considered abnormal to not be attached to a group.

Before Valentine day, I received a e-mail from a friend, who said in the e-mail that he loves me dearly. But unfortunately, I had a boyfriend at that time and could not break the relationship with my boyfriend. Therefore, I told this man to go away and please do not disturbed me. But he got upset when I told him that I he did not like me. But on Valentine Night, when I was at home siting with my boyfriend, and having our romantic night dinner. There was a phone ring, coming from the living room. I came to answered the phone, and I was surprise to hear the voices on the phone, which appears to be the man who wrote to me. He was a friend of mine, since my old job. He like me, but I have no feeling for him.

But he told me on the phone, that He will out with a woman on Valentine night and then came back and told me, that he loved me dearly and tenderly. I could not believe the words I was hearing. I never before see anyone so dumb as to tell me that they went on a date with another woman, then come back to told me about the events. I believe that to be incredible story and so foolish. When I try to question him, he hang up the phone and never answered the phone and does not matter how much times I try to call. No one answered the phone. I was so angry at him for blaming stuff on me and playing trick on me. I want to know why this guy will tell me his story, but won't let me question him. Please could you helped me understand more about the nature of the problem, in which I have entail in the following statement above.

When people do regular stuff like dining out or watching a movie or just taking a walk, i think it is absolutely unnecessary to do these things with somebody else, if you can do it by yourself.

Interesting study. Personally, I think it would have been better if you hadn't asked your respondents to focus on the solo diners. (imo) On the other hand you could have asked half to focus and half not too. Anyway, it was your study, and a good one. Having worked on the road for many years, I have eaten alone many times. Unless you speak up, servers often give you the worst seat in the restaurant, sit you facing a wall, whatever. I have always found that most are more than happy to move me if I ask nicely. I've never experienced funny looks, etc. However, I do think that women dining alone are probably perceived more negatively than men. Older woman may have been viewed more harshly than older men.

It will be interesting to hear the results.

Hi! Yes, this is very interesting...Like myself, I like to be independent and go places and do things alone. I don't need to be dependent on others to have a good time. It is sad though, that some people may think you are a looser or have no friends.

I must say that I have never understood the assumption that dining or eating requires some social component. To me eating is simply performing the physical act of replenishing the nutrients that have been expended from the body’s system over the course of the day. It is done by first masticating, then ingesting, digesting and finally metabolizing. There is no requirement that another person need be present in order to complete this function. And personally I find that often I can get through the process a lot more smoothly and a lot more enjoyably with out the interruptions of someone jabbering on and on about mundane subjects throughout the course a meal. What is with this needy social component everyone seems so keen on pushing on us. I’ll never understand.
;)

Last month I was at a restaurant with my family, and I saw a young woman in her 20s eating alone. Rather than think she was a loser/loner, I was intrigued by her. All of a sudden, my interest and curiosity built up and I really wanted to talk to her, but of course I didn't. So yea, I actually think lone diners are pretty chic and mysterious, haha.

I am a 25 year old woman. I often dine alone. I am a mother and a fulltime student so I enjoy the quite. I am usually the one who cooks so it is always a pleasure to enjoy someone elses cooking. I wonder what others thought of me dinning alone. But now I could care less. Just because you dine alone does not mean that you are a looser. I am however somewhat of a private person. I dont know if that makes me more compelled to dine alone. But it is a possibility.