In other parts of the world, eating alone was especially frowned upon for women, who were thought to be “selling their services,” for the lack of a better term. As late as the 1960s, establishments banned those who didn’t come with a male companion—and even when these restrictions were lifted as they entered the workforce, men were often relentless, bothering them when they so obviously didn’t want to be disturbed.

Needless to say, there seems to be something so scandalous about someone—more so, a girl!—who is so sure about who she is that she would choose to keep herself company. This security I feel in my independence, this exercise in agency is one of the best benefits I get from dining by myself. I’m an only child, which somehow comes with the innate talent of knowing how to keep busy without relying on anyone’s availability or attention. Though I accept (and enjoy!) all offers to hang out with old friends and meet new people, I take pride in the fact that I will survive if plans are canceled at the last minute and can stomach being around no one else without feeling FOMO.

  • decadentrebel@lemmy.worldOPM
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    I didn’t think it was an issue either but then I remember so many memes borne out of people dining alone.

    • megane-kun
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      Sobrang out-of-the-loop ko lang talaga siguro. I saw the “mouse moment” meme being referenced in the article (or the related articles) and I had to look it up too. Also, I remembered the “eating alone in the toilet” trope in anime.

      Pero parang off pa rin eh, it doesn’t have to be lonely eating alone. Or maybe people are just conditioned to think that being alone is lonely.

      IDK, I’ve always ate lunch alone back when I was in high school and college, and I don’t really see anything wrong with that. It’s far easier to get a seat if you don’t have a group and all of you must be seated together and stuff. Besides, I already am seeing those people the rest of the day anyways.

      • decadentrebel@lemmy.worldOPM
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        There was a post in r/PH of a stolen shot of a decent looking guy eating alone wifh a caption na sana sila na lang jowa. Really cringe.

        • megane-kun
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          The thirst is real, ampota, hahahaha!

          If I were that guy, I’d be flattered at first, and then creeped out. Also, malay ba nila kung may jowa na pala yun, kaso di lang nya kasama at that moment?

          Hay nako. We should really normalize eating alone, and being alone in general without it being associated with loneliness.

          • decadentrebel@lemmy.worldOPM
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            1 year ago

            As someone who used to eat alone all the time while waiting for my gf to finish at the gym back then, I can relate. Awa ng diyos (or at least I hope) wala pa naman kumuha sa akin ng picture and posting whatever on Twitter.

            • megane-kun
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              Sana nga talaga (walang stolen pictures floating around in the internet).