"It may make you wonder if people are looking at you and pondering why there's nobody else sitting at your table. While it's normal to feel self-conscious, once you go out to eat by yourself a few times, you'll likely realize that nobody really cares what you're doing - in the best possible way. You may even find that you savor your alone time ordering a delicious meal, reading a book you brought along, or simply people-watching."
"That's why we've spoken to etiquette experts, including Kevin Boehm, author of "The Bottomless Cup"; Maryanne Parker, founder and executive director of Manor of Manners; Jodi R.R. Smith, president and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting; and Rhonda Potts, Certified Etiquette Professional and founder of Pride & Grace Etiquette Consulting, to get a better sense of the landscape of solo dining etiquette."
"It's incredibly important to tip your server when you go to a sit-down restaurant. After all, most servers are making a majority - if not all - of their money from tips, according to Toast POS. Therefore, refusing to tip is essentially asking them to work for free. Whether you like the culture of tipping or not, it's just the right thing to do when you go out to eat. Generally, tipping 20% is standard. Unless you get incredibly bad"
Many people feel self-conscious about dining alone, imagining others notice the empty seat, yet repeated solo meals reveal that most people remain unconcerned and solo dining can become enjoyable. Solo diners can savor meals while reading or people-watching, but should maintain standard restaurant etiquette to avoid inconveniencing staff or fellow patrons. Etiquette professionals emphasize customary tipping—around 20% at sit-down restaurants—because servers rely heavily on tips. Solo diners should be mindful of table manners, courteous interactions with staff, and considerate use of space to ensure a rewarding and respectful dining experience.
Read at Tasting Table
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