The worst part, at least according to inexperienced
travelers, about solo travel is eating alone at restaurants. Many people feel
awkward sitting unaccompanied at eateries and eat on their own. They don’t want
to be noticed every time they are having a meal, maybe because they feel that
people would find socially unacceptable or give them weird looks. Anyway, if
you are planning a solo trip anytime soon, you can refer to these tips
mentioned below. I have used them on all of my vacations, and trust me, they
really help.
Accept the truth
about you
You might find it a harsh fact, but you do need to realize
that the world does not revolve around you. Unless you are a well-known
celebrity, no one even cares whether you eat alone, wear shabby clothes, or
even die! Yes, it is too rude to say that, but I have observed this fact about
myself as well as others. While gorging a delectable dish at a café, try to
ignore every weird, yet momentary look that you receive from someone. Even if
you are sitting with someone, you will receive a cursory look from other
people. When you do not bother their staring glances when you are with friends,
why do you need to care for it when you are alone?
Enjoy the food
Like you, everyone else at the restaurant is either hungry
or is there to experiment with a new meal. People are always busy in their own
conversations with their friends or family. They do not even want to notice you
to stare at you. If you choose to ignore them, they are also not interested in
staring at you, unless you wear funny clothes. As every solo travel guide says,
dress up according to the local traditions to grab less attention, and you will
be fine. Just focus on enjoying your meal. Indulge in people watching if you
like it.
Eat on a sidewalk
Sitting alone in a closed room may feel more awkward than
doing so on a walkway. If the restaurant has the arrangement for outdoor
sitting, you can sit outside and enjoy eating with people watching. You cannot
feel bored at all when you have so much to think about while watching people
walking by. However, make sure that you do not stare at other people; they will
feel awkward just like you if someone stares at you. Watching people walking by
is like watching a live movie running in front of you. When you are in a new
country, it also helps to learn more about the local cultures and traditions.
Learn doing it and you will never feel alone.
Stay occupied
The best thing to do when you want to ignore others around
you is to keep yourself busy. You can read a book, or even a guidebook when you
are spending time at a restaurant. You can re-acquaint yourself with the sites
you want to see, activities you wish to do, the next steps you need to take
during your journey. The idea is to utilize your time at its best. While
eating, you can plan the things you need to do, or just indulge in reading a
fiction book.
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