| Has This Ever Happened To You? |
Old Maid U |
THE DINE-ALONE EXPERIENCE
Just put Yes or No in the subject line. Feel free to share your experiences! |
We've all been there. You walk into a restaurant . . . a woman alone. Your heart is pounding, your throat dry, as you ask for a table for one.
A few weeks ago, I found myself in this situation. I've walked into restaurants by myself numerous times with no problem, but this time I could see it coming. It was a diner in Times Square -- a place with the best pancakes in town -- on a busy Saturday afternoon. I looked around; the tables I could see were pretty full. The counter was also full, except for one seat right on the end, where half the counter space was filled by the cash register. Of course, that's the seat they offered me. A counter seat would have been okay, but not when I would have to squeeze myself into a few square inches of space. I refused and said I wanted to sit at a table. The host seemed annoyed and told me to wait as he proceeded to seat the couple that came in after me. I was ready to call the manager: if there was a table for two, there was certainly a table for one. But the host returned and graciously seated me at a table in an additional room they had opened in the back.
With all the advances in women's rights over the last thirty years, there's still a certain mindset, or even prejudice, about women doing things alone. A woman traveling alone is fair game in some countries. A woman dining alone is doing so because she couldn't find someone to join her.
NOT TRUE!
Women are becoming more independent, and often we choose to be alone because we want our solitude, because we don't want to avoid doing things because no one else wants to, or simply for expediency. Choosing to do something alone doesn't mean you have to settle for less. Women need to stand up for their rights and their dignity. It's not about waiting for men, or even other women, to give us permission, but for women to claim that right for ourselves. We don't have to do it in an aggressive, militant way, but we don't have to back down either. Hold your head high as you ask for a table for one. Be proud of your autonomy. You'll be doing your part to change the antiquated values in this world.
Remember --nothing changes until you do!
By Sharon Good
Personal, Spiritual and Business Coach
