[Zachsa999]

While eating at a restaurant yesterday I saw my old friend who lost his partner to cancer 2 months ago eating alone. He was looking very lonely, and I was struck with how eating is an immense part of our social life as humans.

I walked over and chatted after which he looked physically healthier. Let's not forget our loved ones.

[bombcar]

In general I have a rule - if I see someone at a restaurant I know who is alone I offer to join them. Or if they walk in I wave them over.

I don’t get a ton of chances to utilize this rule, but it’s been successful.

[UIUC_06]

You're a nice person. I'm often alone, and I might or might not welcome the company, depending.

It's probably easier for a table of three or more to welcome a stranger. There are actually restaurants where "big tables full of strangers" are the rule, not the exception.

"Sit at the bar" is my recommendation. Being alone is more normal there, and it's easy to chat with the person next to you.

[paganel]

I know that you're doing it with a good heart, just wanted to point out that are some of us who do like to eat out alone. After my divorce about 10 years ago there were a few years when I went out eating all by myself and I couldn't say that I was sad during those going outs, quite the contrary.

Also, I personally don't like socialising, as in talking, while eating, and I guess I'm not alone in this.