I've never been to a bar or restaurant by myself. Um, I'm...really trying hard not to sound conceited here...but i get hit on and approached by people when i'm out with friends and even sometimes just my husband. When i'm alone and going about my daily tasks. So...I just have always felt that going to a bar or even restaurant alone would be just kind of asking for it. Not that it is! I just don't want to take a chance i guess? I've just had too many creepy experiences.

I hope that sounded ok! Eeee....awkward.

I have never had an issue with going out alone, dining alone, or even traveling alone. Maybe because I grew up almost as an only child (my sister is 10 years older than me and married and moved out when she was 19 and I was 9), I've always been quite comfortable with quiet and solitude. So much so that I spent two months last year driving across the country by myself with only rare moments of homesickness -- my husband flew out and met up with me in Oregon and again in Colorado, which was very, very welcomed after so much solitude!

I travel a lot by myself for photography trips, because I prefer to be immersed in that activity without worrying about someone else being bothered by my odd hours or my need to spend two hours taking pictures in an junkyard. Because of that, I've learned to enjoy solo experiences as much as I do ones with my husband or family and friends, just in a different way.

Movies, restaurants, museums, concerts, hiking trails... I've done all kinds of things by myself. I was also single well into my thirties, so I decided long ago that I was not going to miss out on seeing a band I liked, visiting a destination, or eating some good food just because no one was available to join me.

Sometimes I will chat with strangers, and I always enjoy meeting new people, but I'm pretty good at sending "unavailable" vibes to fend off unwanted attention. It helps that I almost always have a book, magazine, or iPad to bury my nose in.

I don't fear for my safety because I generally frequent populated places, don't get drunk, and keep my wits about me. Growing up spending a lot of time in Baltimore city, I learned to walk purposefully and be alert. I'm not paranoid, but I pay attention to my gut instincts, and they've always served me well.

Lyn, bookstores are the best! That's where I met my husband!

I used to (about 10-15 yrs ago) travel cross-country by Greyhound Bus quite often (3-5 times a yr) almost always alone and never felt unsafe or uneasy going places alone...it was fun being at my own pace and going where I wanted to. But now that I need a cane or walker I am much more insecure and feel conspicuous whenever I go out, either alone or with DH, especially the times I need to use my walker

Although married I still value my independence and I'm quite happy to dine alone when the occasion arises (usually travelling to visit family) or through work. I am quite happy in my own company in general though.