An Evil Twins' guide to eating out alone

I find myself eating out alone often. I am a bachelorette and this is my way of life. If you watch a movie from the 30s and 40s you will often see a single man in the background eating his dinner. So why do we see less of this now? Is it a lost art? Is there a stigma attached to eating alone? Or is it that people are just intimidated? Here are some simple tips to get you through it.

1) Do not bring reading material, your computer, or an iPod. If you want to do another activity order take out and eat at home. Part of the experience of eating in a restaurant is enjoying the ambience. However, if there is a sporting event on the television, that is acceptable to watch.

2) You do not have to sit at the bar. If you want a table, then ask for a table. I like to mix it up. When I am feeling social, I'll sit at the bar. It is an easier environment to talk to people. But sometimes I just want to sit down and have a little bit of peace, then I take a table. Please tip your server at least 20 percent if you take a table in a busy restaurant, it is fair.

3) Do not harrass the staff. If you are sitting at the bar, do not make the bartender talk to you. They are there to work, and you could be distracting them. If things slow down and then they come to you, chat away.

4) Do not rush through your meal. There is no need to scarf down your food just because you are not talking to someone though your dinner. There is no need to give yourself indigestion. No matter what you do, you will still be finished in half the time as with friends.

5) Be confident. You can always spot a newby. They normally do not pay attention to rules 1-4 and are constantly checking out the room to see if anyone sees they are there alone. Take a deep breath. You would not act so crazy if you were eating alone in your house, would you?

6) Just try it, even if you have a significant other, with whom you cannot bear to be away for a millisecond. It is more pleasant that you might think.

7) The best times to go out by yourself is on the weekdays or the restaurant's not uber busy day. I like to go out on Wednesday. It is less busy for most restaurants and it is not the throwaway days of Monday and Tueday. The only reason it is nice to go on a quieter day, is that the staff will be kinder to you on average. If they are in the weeds, the last thing they want is a table of one, because as one person you will order less food, ie tip less. But don't be limited by this rule. If it is Saturday night and you want to go out, go out.

8) Try to explore new restaurants. Newbies often restrict themselves to solitary dining at diners or burger joints. Treat yourself to somewhere nice once in awhile. Sometimes I even order myself a champagne cocktail as an extra indulgence.

Go out and have some fun. Bon apetit!