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Readers Respond
you're article is great! I am a food service professional and am glad to say that I ALWAYS respect the solo diner, and there are things we as service professionals SHOULD do to make people feel more at ease.
The best thing about your article actually comes from one of your reader's comments. I never knew that pretty solo female diners in Texas were lesbians!?!?!? How interesting!
By Ta Tee on 2013 05 17
Best of CoBiz: Three smart ways to keep your work-life balance
Good advice for all of us Derek. I too read about Sheryl Sandberg's 5:30 departure. But several other articles have stated that she then returns to work, maybe from home, by 8:00 every night. Not sure I want to do this. By Gale Dunlap on 2013 05 17
This article gets an A+ Laura. It's your best one yet! Luckily I've never had a fear of dining alone. Serve me some fabulous rare prime rib and I'm glad to be in my own world. Believe me...who really wants the pleasure of in the presence of a ravenous cave woman in a feeding frenzy? Let me get my canines on gristle and fat. Tendons and ligaments don't stand a chance around me. Give me skin, marrow, and cartilage. And yeah, give me the bill. I don't mind paying. You'll get a better tip too because I'm not footing the bill for a rum guzzling dinner partner!
By Pamsclams on 2013 05 16
Coincidentally, I am traveling right now and breaking an above-mentioned "solo dining rule" as I type. Instead of savoring my Coors Light at Oakland International Airport, I am writing this response. How gauche! Anyhoo, I've enjoyed all your comments. Movies alone = absolutley! Steve Martin clip - yessir! Wit and Wisdom? Well color me happy and humbled. As for dating advice...well, maybe we'll broach that topic next week, as it seemed to genrate some interest. I wasn't exactly intending for this to turn into a "dating column", but then again, stranger things have happened. Time to fly, y'all.
By Chef Laura on 2013 05 16
I don't know, Gary. Maybe just tell them EXACTLY why you're calling, and let them decide if they want to call you back? If you trick me into calling you I'm not buying anyway, even if I need the product. I'll buy it from someone else.
By Dave on 2013 05 16
Good tips. I LOVE dining alone. Lets me savor my food instead of making chit chat. You know what else I love to do alone? Go to the movies! That's the ticket. No sharing popcorn, no whispering answers to "what did he say?" or "why is she going into the creepy house?" But bowling, well, that's no fun by yourself.
By Abe Froman on 2013 05 16
Another great column. There are two areas that are easy to handle of maybe more easy for men than women. When traveling alone, you can advise the hotel dining room that you will be dining around a certain time and if they have another solo dinner you will welcome them as your table guest. This works well at conventions and you never know who you will be meeting: speaker, sales manager, vendor.
The other option involves bar etiquette. Hopefully, if you have struck up a conversation with a male in the bar and decided to eat he should check about moving to a table. It makes it easier for the bartender to serve the in and out crowd and the hustlers who tip well and makes it easier to have a relaxed, no obligation dinner.
Unfortunately, room service does suck for everyone. The only thing worse than room service is hospital food.
By Jeffrey Fischer on 2013 05 16
Chef Laura .... you write with wit and wisdom. Thanks for reminding me that good content can be presented with literary flair and smile-inducing references!
By Robert on 2013 05 16
So when I'm alone at a restaurant, I try to sit at the bar. My problem is if I am trying pick up on one of my fellow solo dinners I think I come across as creepy. Any suggestions on ways to do so smoothly?
By New York Johnny on 2013 05 16
Love it! Once I went to a movie alone. When I go to the box office and asked for one ticket, the cashier said just loud enough for those at the end of the line to hear, "One? You want one ticket?" I straightened up my back, said, "Yes," went in and had a great time.....it can be done when dining out, too. Confidence - you are right, Laura.
By Andi Pearson on 2013 05 16
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