Well, I think I've finally made it. I just completed my final hotel site inspection this afternoon and this hotel is just fine for our group, meaning that this should be the last time I have to board a plane for a few months. This trip should also mark the last time I have to eat in a restaurant by myself for a while.
I used to always order room service when I traveled alone, but that too gets really old (plus it's really expensive!). So, I finally ventured out in my comfort zone and began eating dinner in actual restaurants. Not sure what to do with yourself while dining alone? I've listed a few tips that I've picked up along the way that might be helpful to all of you lonely travelers the next time you request a table for one.
5. It's smart to bring a book or sit by a window. It's very important to look busy or occupied with your own business, or at least look uninterested in what everyone else is doing. Nothing appears more pathetic than sitting at a table alone and looking around the room at everyone else talking and laughing.
4. No one really cares that you're alone. This holds especially true in airport and hotel restaurants, as many business people travel alone and therefore eat alone in these locations. I used to think everyone would stare at me as I dined by myself. It's quite the opposite; most people don't pay any attention. However, if you do notice people watching you, you're already breaking rule No. 1.
3. Don't order any food that's difficult to eat. There are few things more awkward than eating some messy meal that could leave sauce on your chin or food in your lap. Before you know it you're picking up food off your pants and wiping your chin and muttering to yourself, and then people are staring at you and you've broken rule No. 1 again.
2. Go pee before you sit down to eat. You can't just get up and go to the bathroom, leaving an empty table, when you're dining alone. Learned that one just this afternoon!
1. Treat yourself. You've flown across the country and you're eating supper by yourself. How pathetic are you?! At least order the swordfish or the steak and forget about your waistline (or in my case your butt line) for five seconds. By golly, you deserve a good meal.
Well, there you have it folks. I doubt this article will make the next issue of Travel and Leisure, but it's sound advice that I've personally put to the test. Happy (solitary) eating!
Where am I? Why am I here?
Thursday, April 13, 2007 5:15 p.m.
Finally I’ve updating my blog. My apologies to all you loyal readers (Jessica) for the long delay. Life has been a little hectic. I’m currently on my way (finally) to my sixth destination since March 1. I’ve now visited Salt Lake City, Portland, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Dallas and I’m on my way to Indianapolis. I think. I’ll spend exactly 14 ½ hours there and then head out to Nashville for the afternoon and with a little luck I’ll be back in my bed at home by Friday at midnight. It’s getting to that point where I wake up in a hotel room and lay there for about ten seconds trying to remember exactly where I am. Yes, be jealous. It’s a glamorous life I lead.
Today was especially interesting. I woke at 4:30 a.m. to make a 7:25 flight out of OKC, but a little light on our assigned aircraft wasn’t working, and according to the gate agent, that was (and I quote) a “No no.” Two rescheduled flights and five hours later, they finally fixed the “no no” and we left about noon.
Anyhow, I’m on my last leg to Indy, and I was planning on reading a good chunk of “You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader,” which is our current book club’s chosen selection at work. Just as I picked up my book and settled in, the guy behind me asked his first question to his neighbor…something about why she was going to Indy.
I tell you he has not stopped talking since. I’m not even sure he’s taken a breath. You know the average number of words that a guy supposedly uses in a day (which is significantly lower than women)? Well, I promise it’s even lower than stated for the average guy, because this jabber-box behind me brings the average way up.
I know all about his wife, his kids, his job, his family, his in-laws – and hers as well.
You have to give it to his neighbor. She’s really being a good sport about it, answering every question he fires at her as quickly as possible so that she can immediately take on the next one. I would have had to feign sleep, or a migraine or a stroke if that’s what it took. I always pray for the aircraft to take off and land safely when I fly, but on this flight I threw in a little extra “thank you” to God for not allowing me to set directly next to this incessant talker.
Friday, April 13, 2007 (Yes, Friday the 13th) at 9:15 p.m. Eastern
Today is a new day, but it feels a whole lot like yesterday. My flight to Nashville has already been delayed an hour, which means I’m scheduled to land as my connecting flight is scheduled to begin boarding. Yes, today I get to be that crazed-looking woman running through the airport in heels, hose and a skirt that you’re guaranteed to see at least one of when you fly. So now you know she is not running with that wild look in her eyes because she overslept; she’s running because if she doesn’t make that next flight she just may have to stay the night in the next city, which means she won’t make it home by midnight, in which case her car will turn into a pumpkin…or something like that.
But I’m an eternal optimist (well, not really, but what the heck) so I have found something to be thankful for. When I sat down at my crowded gate I ended up across from a couple who looked like they were very close to consummating their relationship right in the airport terminal. It was one of those instances where you tried to avert your eyes but you’re so appalled and shocked by what you’re seeing that you can’t help but steal nervous glances. Why am I thankful, you ask? Because just a few minutes after I sat down it was time for them to board.
Anyhow, I suppose I’ll stop blogging and get some work done. I have this sneaking suspicion that this will be one of those days that I’ll have more to write about before the day is done. Until then…
Still Friday the 13th at 4 p.m.
Things are looking up, yet just as I typed these words I spilled a few drops of my Caramel Macchiato on my suit lapel. But novice traveler I am not. I whip out my handy travel packet of Wet Ones and clean up the mess just like that. I am warm, I’m drinking a Starbucks and I’m in the only comfortable chair I’ve sat in for two days.
I’m about to head back to the airport for my trip home (only two more flights left!), so the comfort will soon end, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
Saturday April 14, 2007 at 8:05 a.m.
I’m feeling a strong connection with Bill Murray’s character in “Groundhog Day.” Or maybe it’s candid camera. Surely any moment now a camera crew and that big Italian guy are going to pop out from behind a fichus tree and yellow ‘Surprise!,” pay me for my inconveniences and whisk me home on a private jet.
I’m not writing this at home in my bathrobe, but in a suit that I’ve worn for the past three days. And I’m still in Indianapolis. Tornados in the Dallas-Fort Worth area caused my flight to Dallas to be delayed until they finally just cancelled. Lucky for me I was in Nashville visiting the Downtown Doubletree, so at least I was quickly able to secure a hotel room for the night.
I just made another gate change, and I’ve seen several people go up to the gate agent looking stressed and frustrated. I really don’t even want to know what the problem is at this point. What’s another delay? If I make it home by Memorial Day I’ll be happy. I’ll let you know.
Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 6 p.m.
I finally made it home yesterday by 2 p.m. I’ll count myself lucky after all since the flights out of Nashville that left both before and after my flight were cancelled. I have no idea why.
Anyhow, two naps, a good night’s sleep and an encouraging church service later, I’m feeling pretty good. I have another week before my next trip – to Orlando (finally some place warm!). Hopefully that won’t be a trip worth blogging about!
Finally I’ve updating my blog. My apologies to all you loyal readers (Jessica) for the long delay. Life has been a little hectic. I’m currently on my way (finally) to my sixth destination since March 1. I’ve now visited Salt Lake City, Portland, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Dallas and I’m on my way to Indianapolis. I think. I’ll spend exactly 14 ½ hours there and then head out to Nashville for the afternoon and with a little luck I’ll be back in my bed at home by Friday at midnight. It’s getting to that point where I wake up in a hotel room and lay there for about ten seconds trying to remember exactly where I am. Yes, be jealous. It’s a glamorous life I lead.
Today was especially interesting. I woke at 4:30 a.m. to make a 7:25 flight out of OKC, but a little light on our assigned aircraft wasn’t working, and according to the gate agent, that was (and I quote) a “No no.” Two rescheduled flights and five hours later, they finally fixed the “no no” and we left about noon.
Anyhow, I’m on my last leg to Indy, and I was planning on reading a good chunk of “You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader,” which is our current book club’s chosen selection at work. Just as I picked up my book and settled in, the guy behind me asked his first question to his neighbor…something about why she was going to Indy.
I tell you he has not stopped talking since. I’m not even sure he’s taken a breath. You know the average number of words that a guy supposedly uses in a day (which is significantly lower than women)? Well, I promise it’s even lower than stated for the average guy, because this jabber-box behind me brings the average way up.
I know all about his wife, his kids, his job, his family, his in-laws – and hers as well.
You have to give it to his neighbor. She’s really being a good sport about it, answering every question he fires at her as quickly as possible so that she can immediately take on the next one. I would have had to feign sleep, or a migraine or a stroke if that’s what it took. I always pray for the aircraft to take off and land safely when I fly, but on this flight I threw in a little extra “thank you” to God for not allowing me to set directly next to this incessant talker.
Friday, April 13, 2007 (Yes, Friday the 13th) at 9:15 p.m. Eastern
Today is a new day, but it feels a whole lot like yesterday. My flight to Nashville has already been delayed an hour, which means I’m scheduled to land as my connecting flight is scheduled to begin boarding. Yes, today I get to be that crazed-looking woman running through the airport in heels, hose and a skirt that you’re guaranteed to see at least one of when you fly. So now you know she is not running with that wild look in her eyes because she overslept; she’s running because if she doesn’t make that next flight she just may have to stay the night in the next city, which means she won’t make it home by midnight, in which case her car will turn into a pumpkin…or something like that.
But I’m an eternal optimist (well, not really, but what the heck) so I have found something to be thankful for. When I sat down at my crowded gate I ended up across from a couple who looked like they were very close to consummating their relationship right in the airport terminal. It was one of those instances where you tried to avert your eyes but you’re so appalled and shocked by what you’re seeing that you can’t help but steal nervous glances. Why am I thankful, you ask? Because just a few minutes after I sat down it was time for them to board.
Anyhow, I suppose I’ll stop blogging and get some work done. I have this sneaking suspicion that this will be one of those days that I’ll have more to write about before the day is done. Until then…
Still Friday the 13th at 4 p.m.
Things are looking up, yet just as I typed these words I spilled a few drops of my Caramel Macchiato on my suit lapel. But novice traveler I am not. I whip out my handy travel packet of Wet Ones and clean up the mess just like that. I am warm, I’m drinking a Starbucks and I’m in the only comfortable chair I’ve sat in for two days.
I’m about to head back to the airport for my trip home (only two more flights left!), so the comfort will soon end, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
Saturday April 14, 2007 at 8:05 a.m.
I’m feeling a strong connection with Bill Murray’s character in “Groundhog Day.” Or maybe it’s candid camera. Surely any moment now a camera crew and that big Italian guy are going to pop out from behind a fichus tree and yellow ‘Surprise!,” pay me for my inconveniences and whisk me home on a private jet.
I’m not writing this at home in my bathrobe, but in a suit that I’ve worn for the past three days. And I’m still in Indianapolis. Tornados in the Dallas-Fort Worth area caused my flight to Dallas to be delayed until they finally just cancelled. Lucky for me I was in Nashville visiting the Downtown Doubletree, so at least I was quickly able to secure a hotel room for the night.
I just made another gate change, and I’ve seen several people go up to the gate agent looking stressed and frustrated. I really don’t even want to know what the problem is at this point. What’s another delay? If I make it home by Memorial Day I’ll be happy. I’ll let you know.
Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 6 p.m.
I finally made it home yesterday by 2 p.m. I’ll count myself lucky after all since the flights out of Nashville that left both before and after my flight were cancelled. I have no idea why.
Anyhow, two naps, a good night’s sleep and an encouraging church service later, I’m feeling pretty good. I have another week before my next trip – to Orlando (finally some place warm!). Hopefully that won’t be a trip worth blogging about!
