I eat out alone both when traveling and locally. I am a relatively short woman (5'2") and find eating at the bar physically uncomfortable. I have never given eating alone a second thought and have been surprised when female colleagues tell me they order room service because they can't face eating out alone. I have had a few waitstaff in Asia push a newspaper or magazine - I actually prefer not to read while waiting for my meal. I asked a waiter in Cambodia why he was so insistent. He replied it would let everyone know I was not there looking for customers. I was 49 at the time! A restaurant host in my US home city said "Just one? That is so sad." I responded I wasn't at all sad about it and thought it was far better to dine alone than with bad company. He seemed quite surprised that I didn't agree with him.