Originally Posted by
broenor
My leisure travel is mainly alone. I've eaten a lot alone, and usually it doesn't bother me. I have never experienced that the restaurant staff somehow feels akward dealing with me dining alone. I normaly just ask for "table for one". I'm fine eating at the bar and sometimes prefer it.
I usually bring a book to read in. Either a novel or the guide book for the city I'm visiting. Then I can use the dinner to plan for what to see/to do the next day and look at maps to plan the best route/order to visit the places I want to see.
I also dine alone quite often, and have also never experienced any semblance of awkwardness (not that I can recall, anyway). I usually occupy myself with my phone, and when traveling like to chat up fellow diners if the circumstances allow (i.e. at a hotel breakfast buffet, or sitting very close together in a restaurant). Have met some very interesting people this way.