I'm the Only One

I've never been afraid to eat alone at a restaurant. I do it all the time while travelling on business. I know many people who avoid dining by themselves. I'm told they find it awkward. Not sure where to look or what to do while waiting for their entree. Some pull out a book or read the newspaper to 'look busy.'

I was mulling this over - while dining alone - on a recent business trip to Quebec.

When I first arrived at the restaurant I had been told was a 'must go' by the hotel concierge for crepes, I told them I was "one" for breakfast. The hostess asked, "Just one?"

"Well," I replied smiling, "not JUST one. One."

I was quickly squirreled away to the worst table in the entire restaurant. It wasn't a long walk. About two feet from the hostess stand and the front door. I was in mid stride prepared to step around this table when she placed the menu on the placemat and pulled out a chair for me - I nearly tripped over it.

"Oh," I said. "Could I possibly move further inside rather than right here by the door?"

The hostess replied, "But you are only one. The rest of our tables are for two or four or six."

I looked around. They weren't busy. I saw three or four empty tables. Were they expecting a rush of people at any moment?

"Thanks," I said. "I see you are really busy. I've changed my mind. I'd rather go somewhere else."

I stepped outside and looked up and down the street. I felt like a leper! Just a few doors down I spotted another restaurant advertising crepes (not too hard to find in Quebec City!) and walked in.

The hostess greeted me. "You look cold. One?"

"Yes, one please."

She brought me over to a cozy booth by a fireplace with a fabulous view of the street in Old Quebec.

"I will bring you some coffee perhaps?" she inquired.

"That would be lovely," I responded.

Sure enough a few moments later she was back with some coffee and a newspaper. "In case you get bored of the view," she said smiling as she placed the coffee and paper on the table.

I didn't read the paper because I didn't feel the need to 'look busy.' Plus the view was fantastic and I quickly got lost in my own thoughts. The meal was fantastic and the hospitality even better.

When I returned to the hotel later that day, I made sure to tell the concierge about where he should send his business next time.