Stop asking the internet for permission. You're an adult.

As a former travelling worker, I ate a significant portion of my meals alone at a restaurant, never thought it could be perceived as weird before these memes started floating around reddit

Advice I've given my wife and my kids. Never make plans with anyone to do anything that you aren't happy to do alone.

Dinner? I'll eat alone

Movie? I'll watch it alone

Wife isn't in the mood? I'll just lay in bed and beat it next to her.

Hiking trip? Alone in nature is great.

Worst case scenario you still get to go have fun. Middle case, next time that person asks about doing something you get to remind them about all the fun you had without them.

I don't go places with people for social validation. I do it because doing those things by myself is incredibly boring.

One of my first jobs was at a movie theater, back when you had to physically splice film reels together. Doing so meant you had to watch the whole thing for quality assurance…so I saw every new film at 0300 in an empty theater and it was fantastic. Going to a movie with other people around feels weird and cramped

The sentiment in question is a response to someone else being weirded out and posting it online.... No one is seeking validation lol they're asserting that it's normal.

People who act creepy and take videos or pictures of someone out doing something alone and posting it online are the weird ones.

This context should be obvious

Unless I'm traveling for work I don't really want to go to the movies or restaurants alone. Living room and takeout is better.

It's not that I can't do these things alone. It's that I'd rather have someone there with me.

Come to Japan. Here, they have all sorts of seating at places specifically for people to be alone.

I used to go to restaurants alone and I the last time I did it the waitress/owner started asking what I do and gave me the impression that she felt sorry for me.

Now it has been a while that I didn't go. It wasn't because of her but it I feel like it.

I go to restaurants alone when I'm out and about by myself, because a man's gotta eat. But why would I choose to go to a movie theater by myself? I can just stay home and watch a movie for free, while being more comfortable. I go to the movies specifically for the event which is shared with the person/people I go with. Do some people go to the movies just to see the movie? Is the bigger screen that important?

I always see movies alone. Preferably early in the day in a deserted theatre if possible. Movies are very much a ‘me time’ activity. I go at least twice a week with my unlimited movie pass.

It’s just not needed to drag someone else along, especially if they aren’t as interested in the movie to begin with.

She said on the internet, asking others to normalize it rather than just doing it herself without seeking validation.

Disagree on all of this y'all sound mad tone deaf.

Some people had bad parents, some had none, some hit the age of 21 with no actual adult to learn from.

People need information and affirmation and support. Stop being the judgey fucks you're preaching don't exist out there. If nobody is that judgemental then let them ask on the safety and confidential internet you fuckin goblins

I think people are sleeping on the power of "The Shrug"™️

Whenever someone is asking why are you not following the societal norm, just 🤷 Don't explain yourself, let them try to rationalize to you why the norm is good actually. Then you can finish them with "Okay?" followed by another shrug.

Works every time.

I don't go to the movies at all, fuck that industry - and I say that as someone who met his wife working at a movie theater. But restaurants, I eat solo all the time. There are dozens of us!

It's strange to me that this would be news to anyone. That said, as someone who has had so many wild experiences all alone, I eventually had the epiphany that none of it matters if you have noone to share it with.

The only thing you’ll regret about going to a movie solo is not doing it sooner. It’s liberating.

It is normal. Just do it. People who have an issue with this are creating their own problems. It's a YOU problem.

On the other hand, I'm autistic and have no frame of reference for some of the things I want to do. How can I just show somewhere alone without knowing the social norms?

Going to restaurants alone is one of my favourite things. All the same food and drink, but you can just enjoy it quietly and not have to keep up with conversation.

Everyone in here saying how fun going to the movies alone is. Idk. I've done it before, it was pretty lame. I'd way rather go with a friend and have someone to talk about the movie with. Going all alone sucks.

I've been going out alone to all kinds of places for years. Nobody blinks an eye.

One time I went alone to a restaurant on Valentine's Day and somebody paid for my meal. I wasn't even lonely.

Eh, went to my first concert by myself. Lost my spot when I had to pee and got to watch my favorite band from side stage.

There’s nothing stopping you from asking another adult from taking a picture of you without your phone held up in the middle of it like a caveman brandishing the first burning branch.

The restaurant one makes sense. Don't wanna get your food poisoned when you need to walk away to use the bathroom.

They aren't asking for permission. They are asking for attention.

raises head

"Money"

puts head back down

I want to go to the comfy movies but all the seating is loveseat couches. I might have to share that with a stranger. So anyways I heard WoW is good again?

Come to Japan. Here, they have all sorts of seating at places specifically for people to be alone.

Going to a spa alone is just weird tho. That feels like a couples or group thing

I know it's the wrong take, but I read this as "Spend money you lonely bastard. Don't address your problems, consume."

there is literally nothing stopping you.

Except my obligations. I'm a parent with kids, so if I want to go somewhere alone, I need to get my SO on board and/or get a babysitter.

I know this is targeted at single people, but single people also have obligations and preferences that stop them from doing things alone.