Doing it ALONE . . . .

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Doing it ALONE . . . .
24
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 4:25pm
Half poll, half challenge.

West's post about going to see Alfie alone (I go see foreign flicks alone - I don't have anyone who enjoys going to see them) and others' responses to her seeing the movie alone and my going out to dinner alone (I love this little French bistro that has the most amazing crepes) kind of made me think . . . .

Have you gone to the movies alone?

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT?

Would you accept a challenge? If there is something you've always wanted to do - but didn't because you didn't have anyone to do it with - would you commit to doing it ALONE BEFORE January 31, 2005? Tell us what it is, and then report all about it???

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 4:41pm
I go to movies alone sometimes. It doesn't bother me. I'm just sitting in a dark theater, it doesn't matter if anyone is with me or not. Sometimes it's a little awkward if you are waiting for them to let you into the theater and you don't have a ready-made person to talk to. I usually just stand there and wait, pretending I am just as comfortable as can be. I would strike up a conversation, but it's usually all teenagers standing around. The last movie I saw alone was Mona Lisa Smile, and it was all women in line, strangly, a bunch of lesbian looking woman. I was afraid if I struck up a conversation the person would think I was hitting on her.

I don't rent movies alone. It may sounds silly, but if there is nobody there to make sure I stay awake, what is the point? The difference between renting a movie and going out to see one, of course, being that my comfy couch and soft warm blanket get left at home when I go out.

I have never eaten out alone. I don't see the point, personally. If I want the food and I'm buy myself, I'll order take out. Or better yet, I'll save some money and eat something at home.

I go to exercise classes alone. I don't know anyone to go to them with. I do strike up conversations with women there, but they've never led to a friendship. I was trying to find a cooking class near me recently, but I couldn't. If I can find one I will take that alone. I think it sounds like a fun way to meet new people and learn something at the same time.

I can't think of anything I want to do but haven't done simply because I have nobody to do it with. I'll try to think of something.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 5:00pm
Have you gone to the movies alone?

No.

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?

No.

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?

I've taken craft classes alone.

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but ever since my exh left 7 years ago, I have been to a number of weddings alone, and to be perfectly honest, I hate it. I went to a wedding just this past August alone, and did not have a good time. So, when I was invited to another wedding in October, I declined.

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT?

Yes, I would love to go to the Art Institute of Chicago. Senior year in high school we went, but I was sick that day. I have always wanted to go there, but haven't because I don't have anyone to go with me.

Also, my favorite fun thing to do is going to concerts, but because I don't have anyone to go with me, I don't go any more. The last time I was at a concert was 2 summers ago. I had tickets and my friend cancelled on me. I asked everyone I knew to go, but no one could go. I had convinced myself that I was going to miss the show, but at the last minute, my cousin went with me. But I can't tell you how many shows I missed because I wouldn't go solo and no one would go with me.

Would you accept a challenge? If there is something you've always wanted to do - but didn't because you didn't have anyone to do it with - would you commit to doing it ALONE BEFORE January 31, 2005? Tell us what it is, and then report all about it???

Yes, I would take the challenge. I'm sick of missing shows that I want to see because no one will go with me. So, if a concert comes around that I want to see, I will go, even by myself. I hear U2 is coming next year, and I don't want to miss it. So, it probably won't be before January 31, but I will go along with the challenge.

Come to think of it, I'll agree to go to the art museum alone before 1/31/05.

Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 5:11pm
YAY!!!!!!!!

Donna - I've been to numerous concerts alone . . . The Cranberries, Styx, REO Speedwagon, and an entire "June Fest" because in every situation . . . the people I was supposed to go with (LAME people!) backed out at the VERY last minute . . . . . but I had paid for my tickets, dang it - and I was going! I had SOOO much fun each time.

UPDATE US!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 5:17pm
Have you gone to the movies alone?

Yes, quite often. I love foreign flicks and none of my friends are fans . . .

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?

Kind of. I go to this little French place for crepes alone . . . but it has more of a coffee shop feel to it (does that make sense?) then a restaurant feel . . . .

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?

Yes. I took a cooking class alone.

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

When I started going to the movies alone, I REALLY thought that everyone was looking at me and thinking "oh, look at that poor, poor woman with no friends all alone at the movies! It must be SO SAD to be her!" Isn't that SILLY?!?!?!?!? RIDICULOUS! Some things I've done alone I would never do alone again. I went to a wedding alone and it was MISERY. I REALLY wish I would have just attended the wedding, signed the guest book, and then left instead of sitting through the reception where I was very bored and very lonely.

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT?

I have always wanted to sky dive - but I have never had anyone to do it with. I have always said I would do it before my 30th birthday - which is August 2005. So although I won't get it done before January 31, 2005 - I will sky dive - even if it's by myself - before August 16, 2005!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 5:36pm

Have you gone to the movies alone?
Yes - all the time. :-)

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?
I eat in the food court at the mall alone and also at the sushi bar for Wolfgang Pucks. Otherwise I cook so much at home that I am not inclined to pay to eat out by myself.

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?
Yes. Wine class, dance classes, triathlon classes - running, swimming, and boot camp and yoga.

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

I spent 2 months ALONE in Switzerland when I was in my 20s. Hence my ability to be able to travel alone and REALLY enjoy that. I don't mind going to movies, weddings, parties, or other places alone. I have holiday parties to attend alone.

Recently this summer I travelled to Sweden alone - although once I was there, I was with the USA team - but I had to go to breakfast and around town alone and then join whoever I saw and make friends with a lot of strangers.

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT?
Not that I can think of.

Would you accept a challenge? If there is something you've always wanted to do - but didn't because you didn't have anyone to do it with - would you commit to doing it ALONE BEFORE January 31, 2005? Tell us what it is, and then report all about it???
My challengs is to NOT be alone ;-) But I am working on that. And there is a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel.




Edited 11/15/2004 5:57 pm ET ET by west1745
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 5:54pm
Have you gone to the movies alone? Yes, I have. And I still do sometimes, if I can get away with it. ;)

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?

Yes, I think I have lunched alone once or twice. But I can't remember if I was travelling or not. It's a bit awkward, but I see many people dining alone around here.

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?

I've taken kickboxing and pilates classes alone.

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

I lost 62lbs all by myself! I go to Barnes & Noble alone and spend hours reading books and sipping coffee, I go up on the Space Needle by myself atleast once a month or two (depending on the time of the year), I've gone to the beach alone...rollerskating, sightseeing, people-watching...sex. :)

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT? A concert! That is pretty brave! I want to go to Jingle Bell Bash this year, and haven't found anyone to go with. I'm thinking I'll take my daughter, but it's on a school night. Is 8 too young to take to a concert? I think so...but go alone...that's pretty courageous!

Would you accept a challenge? If there is something you've always wanted to do - but didn't because you didn't have anyone to do it with - would you commit to doing it ALONE BEFORE January 31, 2005? Tell us what it is, and then report all about it???


Go to this concert! It's in December. I'll think about it...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 9:00pm
I've been to the movies alone and I've been to restaurants alone and I've taken salsa lessons alone and I've traveled alone. I really hate the restaurant experience alone because they always say, just one? Yes, just one! But I love traveling alone.

I think that I've never been to a French movie at the Alliance Francaise because it's in a questionable part of town. I'd have to go alone to that because they don't dub/subtitle them...DF couldnt' go and going with my French partner would seem date- like.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 11:21pm
Half poll, half challenge.

West's post about going to see Alfie alone (I go see foreign flicks alone - I don't have anyone who enjoys going to see them) and others' responses to her seeing the movie alone and my going out to dinner alone (I love this little French bistro that has the most amazing crepes) kind of made me think . . . .

Have you gone to the movies alone?

OH yeah...often.

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?

yep, all the time. Hey, I like eating out. It's the only time someone waits on ME!

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

I go swimming alone, to the gym alone, to lunch alone, to museums, to lectures alone, to the symphony alone, I've played pool alone, gone to karate alone, to plays alone, to concerts alone,I go for drives alone. The one thing I've done lately that I tried to get someone to go with me for moral support, but I couldn't find anyone who could/would...so I went anyway, was a latin dance night at a local restaurant after hours. LOTS of latino men, very few women period. About 40 mexican men to 4 Latin women and 6 caucasian women. I got eyed a LOT by weirdos (one guy in a trench coat that he didn't take off all evening...don't even want to THINK why) and I couldn't understand what anyone was saying...I wanted to see what it was like and see what kind of people were there. IT was like an anthropology field assignment. :) It was mostly immigrant guys, workers...lots of boots and flannel shirt types. It was interesting but when one of them started looking me over and yawning a lot (and the only way I could interpret that was "I'm tired and a little drunk, but how about you go home to bed with me") I decided that an hour and a half of observation was long enough. I went home at about 11pm.

If I hadn't done things on my own the past 6 years I wouldn't have done much.

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT?

Well, I don't know if I will or not. There was something I was thinking about tonight. There are places in town, in the black neighborhoods, where I've never been. I kind of wondered what it would be like, but it would have been nice to have someone go with me...I'll think that one over.

Would you accept a challenge? If there is something you've always wanted to do - but didn't because you didn't have anyone to do it with - would you commit to doing it ALONE BEFORE January 31, 2005? Tell us what it is, and then report all about it???

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 10:32am
West's post about going to see Alfie alone (I go see foreign flicks alone - I don't have anyone who enjoys going to see them) and others' responses to her seeing the movie alone and my going out to dinner alone (I love this little French bistro that has the most amazing crepes) kind of made me think . . . .

Have you gone to the movies alone?

No. I don't really have anything I'm interested in that others I know don't like, so I never have had to. Even as a single mom, I took Dylan or I had a movie buddy that once a month (or more often) we'd go see something.

Besides when travelling for business, have you ever went to lunch or dinner at a sit down REAL restaurant (I'm not talking McDonald's here!) alone?

No. It's always been at a fast food place. I've always felt so self-conscious about it. Not sure why. I guess I think people will feel sorry for me.

Have you ever taken a "fun" class (like cooking or wine tasting or dance, etc.) alone?

Oh yeah, Dance definitely.

ANYTHING that you've done alone - share your experience.

Is there something you have always REALLY wanted to do but have never done because you didn't have someone to go with you? WHAT?

I want to go play paintball.

Would you accept a challenge? If there is something you've always wanted to do - but didn't because you didn't have anyone to do it with - would you commit to doing it ALONE BEFORE January 31, 2005? Tell us what it is, and then report all about it???

I'll have to think about it. Being pregnant, the paintball thing is out, but maybe I can commit after the baby comes. I am planning to take karate alone after I heal up.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 10:46am
I love that you posted about this challenge. I've started doing this already. I found some social groups in my area via craigslist.org and meetup.com. I've signed up for things through them. I'm not 'technically' alone when I meet up with these people, but I don't know them. Over time, I will know them. The social club thing is neat because it's usually a bunch of singles who get together for dinner or whatever. If it wasn't for the group, we'd most likely be at home alone.

I've never gone to the movies alone. I recently went out to eat (lunch) at a restaurant. The lunch alone thing was neat because I met another woman who was there eating alone. We talked to each other during our meals. It was fun.

I guess I will go to the movies alone, just to prove that I can do it. I think that would be way easier than eating in a restaurant alone..because you are in the dark and who pays attention to you anyway.

I have taken classes alone too....even a ballroom dance class. I will not take another partner dance class alone though. You end up having to dance with the teacher, alone, with a female student, or some creepy guy. Regular guys don't sign up for these dance classes.

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