One of the worst things about traveling on your own, and probably the only thing that always concerns me, is eating out. Now, I love a nice meal, in comfortable surroundings, with a glass of wine or two and friendly service, and I always leave a good tip. But it is something that is quite hard to do.
Go into a restaurant on your own and ask for a table and you get one of three reactions:
- a genuine welcome, they find you a nice table, give you attentive service and make you feel welcome
- you can go in but you have to be out by a certain time
- sorry, single people are not served
The first is very rare. If you find a place that accepts single folk and serves good food, treasure it.
The third is the most common, in London and in much of the UK. The restaurant does not have to serve you, or anyone, and at least you know where you stand. You can appreciate they would rather have two people at a table than one, but I always try to eat at quiet times and surely an occupied table is better than an empty one?
The second reaction is quite common. Actually, in London, even in a couple or group, you are frequently given a time limit. Get out by X or else… Personally, I think it is a reflection of their speed of service in cases like this.