Would You Date Yourself?

I was talking to a good friend the other day and she told me about her latest date—with herself. It consisted of dinner at a decent restaurant capped off with a movie. I looked at her like she was crazy: "You went to the movies by yourself?"

"Yes, I did," she replied. "What's wrong with that?"

"I don't know, the whole idea of going to movies by yourself seems kinda lame to me… No offense of course."

"None taken, sweetie. I'm secure in who I am and if I want to see a movie and no one else wants to go; what am I supposed to do wait around for someone to go with me or catch it on HBO? Please! I'm too grown for all that."

"Okay, I hear you on that, at least at the movies you're in the dark, but sitting at a table by yourself is totally different.”

“How so?”

“People are probably staring at you the whole time you're waiting for your food wondering why you’re alone. Besides, you have no one to talk to. Shoot, I hate when a date is late and I gotta sit by myself for too long in a restaurant. I feel like it makes you look like a loser and all eyes are on you."

"Why are you worried about what other people are thinking? They should mind their business and eat their food instead of worrying about where my date is and what I'm eating. Besides, I always carry a good book or magazine with me to keep my mind occupied. You should try it."

"That's alright. I'll pass but I definitely commend you on doing that. More power to you."

"Don't knock it until you try it, Ans. It's very liberating and it's a great way to meet guys. I can't tell you how many times a guy steps away from his boys to strike up a conversation with me because I was sitting by myself."

"I can see that. Women are easier to approach when they're by themselves as opposed to when y’all are in a group. I wonder if that'd work for a guy dining solo."

"Hey, you never know, it just might."

“Hmmm.”

How do you guys/gals feel about going to the movies by yourself? Does it make you feel lame or like people are looking at you with pity? Would you go out to a posh restaurant and eat by yourself? Does it make a difference if you eat at a fast food restaurant or lowbrow restaurant by yourself as opposed to a well-known eatery? If you saw someone of the opposite sex that you thought was attractive eating by themselves, would you be more inclined to approach them? Do you appreciate time alone just as much as you do with other people? Would you date yourself?

Speak your piece...