I do this every once in awhile and I have no issues. I bring something to read or have some work with me so if I don't feel like chilling - I'm good.
I'd say every one in 10 I feel lonely about it.
I just went on a cruise and we had a party of 13. But there were a bunch of sad singles on the boat. I really felt bad for them.
Only place I felt horribly awkward was a Chinese buffet I went to on a work trip around Penn State. I was 23. I felt horribly lonely and loser-ish.
I am lucky that we have a few old-fashioned sit diners with counters. One diner even sells semi-yuppie food, despite its decor. I tip well and realize I am at a diner. It blows my mind when people complain about $6 dollar entrees that taste bland. No kidding. Being a server is tough.
It really helps if the counter has decent coffee.
But I don't like dining alone at a nice place. The only time I do it is when I have business travel and no client dinner, and even then, I can usually find someone I know.
Happens sometimes when out of town for work. If I have time, I'd try to get a decent meal. Don't really care about what other people does/thinks, I am there to enjoy food and a glass of wine, not to have social interactions. Usually I bring a book in case service is particularly slow.
No, I do not feel wired generally, and I use my phone at that time, so I never noticed anyone.
Do this all the time when I travel for work. Doesn't bother me at all these days. One of the few perks about having to travel for work is getting to eat a good meal on the expense account so I definitely go to a sit down restaurant most of the time.
I will say that it used to be a lot more awkward in the days before smart-phone and I used to especially hate sitting around after my meal was done waiting for the check... this is especially true in Europe where you often have to flag down the server and then it still may take a long time... now at least I can screw around on my phone to pass the time instead of just sitting then awkward and alone.
No, not at all. I spent a good 25 years based in Asia and traveled though out Asia and the Middle East approximately 20 weeks out of the year. Constantly going from airports to hotels. For me eating alone is pretty normal and never thought twice about it. It's what you do when on the road. It was surprising how many times I would bump into other expats I knew from other places at big Asian airports. Sometimes we would eat together or have a beer if there was enough time between flights.