A great account on how we are, in reality, never alone – there is always a tension or at least a shared aura between us and the rest of the society. And, in particular, when deliberately interacting with others, like when going to a restaurant, we do have a shared society.
The "being alone" thing is then more of a way of thinking regarding the expectations of how this interaction should be, like what clothes to wear or whether to loudly whistle for yourself or not, or if you would unfold a newspaper at the restaurant, feeling at home and not observing the behavioral norms for such a place.
It is about how you feel that others might expect you to live and act to fit in.
Whatever, it causes, in this case, an interesting inner dialogue that excellently conveys the feelings you are exposed to along the way.
I've since grown more confident when dining out alone and fully indulge in observing others and how they interact with one another while I do so. It's quite interesting...
I think it's important to observe and not just interact. Constant interaction is basically just another distraction people tend to resort to (like scrolling on their phones)...
Good to hear that – and clever thinking. But observing is also kind of interacting, isn't it? You take in part of their lives, internalize it as inspiration or memories, and use it in your life from thereon.
Funny! This story reminds me of being at university and eating at different dorms each day so as not to be noticed being alone all the time. 😭 Insecurities can get the best of you, but it's just all in your head. It is fun to hang out downtown and people watch all the interesting people.
It took me until my 30s before I would dine out alone because I was so self-conscious and always worried that everyone is looking at and wondering about me 🙈 Now, I love it because watching people - how they (inter-)act - is so interesting and insightful! And you're absolutely right, all those insecurities about being "on display" are really just in our heads!
A great account on how we are, in reality, never alone – there is always a tension or at least a shared aura between us and the rest of the society. And, in particular, when deliberately interacting with others, like when going to a restaurant, we do have a shared society.
The "being alone" thing is then more of a way of thinking regarding the expectations of how this interaction should be, like what clothes to wear or whether to loudly whistle for yourself or not, or if you would unfold a newspaper at the restaurant, feeling at home and not observing the behavioral norms for such a place.
It is about how you feel that others might expect you to live and act to fit in.
Whatever, it causes, in this case, an interesting inner dialogue that excellently conveys the feelings you are exposed to along the way.
Very nice story!
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I've since grown more confident when dining out alone and fully indulge in observing others and how they interact with one another while I do so. It's quite interesting...
I think it's important to observe and not just interact. Constant interaction is basically just another distraction people tend to resort to (like scrolling on their phones)...
Good to hear that – and clever thinking. But observing is also kind of interacting, isn't it? You take in part of their lives, internalize it as inspiration or memories, and use it in your life from thereon.
When you look at it from that perspective, it is also a form of interaction, yes!
Funny! This story reminds me of being at university and eating at different dorms each day so as not to be noticed being alone all the time. 😭 Insecurities can get the best of you, but it's just all in your head. It is fun to hang out downtown and people watch all the interesting people.
It took me until my 30s before I would dine out alone because I was so self-conscious and always worried that everyone is looking at and wondering about me 🙈 Now, I love it because watching people - how they (inter-)act - is so interesting and insightful! And you're absolutely right, all those insecurities about being "on display" are really just in our heads!