Table for One: Navigating the ‘Dilemma’ of Solo Dining When Travelling
Suzannah Baum
Presentation Skills & Leadership Communication Expert ? Author ? Executive Speech Coach ? Keynote & Conference Speaker ? Chocolate Hoarder
On a recent work trip, I faced the “Big Dilemma” of traveling alone: Should I eat alone at a restaurant or get takeout to my hotel room?
Seems simple, right? But at that moment, it wasn’t really. ??
Here’s how it played out in my mind:
Option 1: Be “that person”
You know, the one who confidently sits alone, enjoys a meal, people-watches, and maybe even strikes up a conversation. No big deal.
Option 2: Avoid the awkwardness
Let’s face it—sitting alone in a busy restaurant can feel uncomfortable.
Wouldn’t it just be easier to retreat to my room with takeout or room service and avoid all the weirdness? ??
But then it hit me... This is EXACTLY what I coach my clients to do.
? Step out of their comfort zones.
? Push through the awkwardness.
?Show up and speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable.
So, I took my own advice and sat down at the restaurant (after probably driving the poor hostess a little crazy with my indecision).
The result?
?? A delicious meal,
?? A cozy spot for people-watching,
?? And a great conversation with another solo traveler who didn't seem to be overthinking it nearly as much as I was!
The lesson?
Next time you’re avoiding something because it feels weird or awkward, take a step back. It might just be the exactly thing you SHOULD be doing. We all need to step into discomfort sometimes—and in the best case scenario, it might even lead to a delicious tiramisu (not pictured because I ate it too fast!)??.
Have YOU ever had to remind yourself to take your own advice?
Let’s hear it in the comments!
#BusinessTravel #WorkTravel #Confidence #SoloDining #PersonalGrowth
Elevating Executives Through Co-Creative Leadership
1 周When I'm on the road like that and go to the restaurant, when the hostess asks "Table for 1?" My reply is something like: "Well, we are 3 can't you see? My, myself and I..." It usually gets me a smile... sometimes though I get a groan too! LOL!
My mission is to shatter the illusions surrounding money, in order to break its hold on people.
1 周Pre C19 I was the epitome of a "road warrior". One year I traveled 48/52 weeks (4-5 day trips). Most years about 200 days. I got into the bad habit of room service (the Marriott Burger was the best room service burger) until I began noticing one guy on my team would go to the hotel restaurant soon after we wrapped up each Workshop day (usually 6-7pm). He'd order a steak and a beer and sit there alone (he preferred it that way, it was his "decompressing time"). I decided to give it a try and I really learned to enjoy the "alone" time. So each week I travelled, if I got into town early enough I head for a loner lunch at a local joint, one alone dinner (usually Friday), a Saturday team dinner (that's a whole other post) and if I couldn't get out of town Sunday night, room service. One other thing I'd do is a local activity as time permitted. It made the trip all that more worthwhile. How about you?
Business Communications Expert at NK-Consultants, Certified in International Business Etiquette and Protocol
2 周Dining alone is such a great journey in self exploration. So right Suzannah !! Polishing up on your etiquette skills/soft skills re: conversation starters is a great way to build confidence. Once you give it a try, you will surely experience a boost of self confidence. Try it...it's worth it !
Award Winning Entrepreneur, Speaker and Author
2 周I love this
Canadian Small Business EXIT Readiness Succession Planning, Strategies, and Support. Strategist, Consultant, Speaker, Coach, Author
2 周I had this learning when I was challenged by a coach to own my self-worth. She suggested I go out to breakfast or dinner by myself, while I was at home (not traveling). It was totally weird just to think about, "why would I go out to dinner by myself when I have a perfectly good fridge at home?" but that wasn't purpose. I remember taking time picturing myself going alone, somewhere I really enjoyed, being there because I enjoyed it, and then just enjoying it. From that point forward, it made dinning alone simply an option, not a willpower struggle. Congrats on making a choice that normalized dinning along for you.