I often dine alone when traveling on business. In such situations I tend to sit at the restaurant's bar-- assuming a reasonable menu of food is offered there. Service is faster, as there's usually no waiting to sit and it's easier to flag the bartender's attention when I'm ready to order than it is to catch a waiter's attention. Sitting at the bar also offers opportunities to socialize, both with the bartender and with fellow customers.

One thing I do like about US restaurant culture is the bar with food. In Europe it's really not so common. With the exception of hotel bars, I can only think of two restaurants at the moment in London with a bar suitable for lone eating...

With really no tipping in Oz, why would the server care? Fewer people, less work, same pay....:confused:

That's slightly better than "Are you all alone?" and its translations into various languages).

I'm puzzled too, I find it easier to dine alone in Australia than in most places. Maybe it's just because I live here so I'm more comfortable with the setting than when I'm overseas.

Higher end places are always more awkward anywhere when alone, and I'm not one to be intimidated by snooty waiters or that sort of thing

Can't say that surprises me...:D

:D
TBH I sort of find them vaguely comical

The ones in Paris are the best.

They have it down to a fine art.:D

I had a French one in London who I swear had come straight from Central Casting. My dining companion spoke fluent French, I did not. When I asked a question about the menu he stared down his nose at me as though I'd just crawled out from under a rock and pretended as though he couldn't understand what I was asking about.

Me to friend in a slightly raised voice: You'd think they could at least hire employees who can speak English.

Waiter: Excuse me I can understand you.

Me: I know.

Good times.:D

I find by the time I'm on my 2nd glass of wine, I really don't care about the fact I am dining on my own or that the service is bad.

:p

The problem isn't the eating at the bar. It's the fact that usually that question comes with a tone of "don't waste my time seating/serving/taking care of just one person," instead of a "in case you are interested and didn't know, we do serve food at the bar as well." Because it should be my choice, not something imposed on me by someone who doesn't know how to do their job well.

What about a neutral "bar or table"? Said in the same tone as "for here or to go" at fast food places (where the cashier could care less)

That doesn't bother me.

I guess I haven't really encountered that problem since I generally get the question, "would you prefer the bar or a table?" I normally pick the bar, but I've never been refused on the few occasions I've said table. I usually ignore tone because there's such a subjective element to that--unless I continue to get that tone throughout the course of my evening at the restaurant.

agree, and service expectations should vary - it is not logical to expect "good" service in a "bad" restaurant .. and or "full service" in a "restaurant" (being used generically) that is not a full service restaurant