[AllegraM]

The 'Do you go to the movies alone' thread got me thinking.

Why do some people see it as odd if a woman does something alone? I am the first to put my hand up as an introvert but even so, I find it strange.

As a single woman, I camped alone, drove all over Australia alone, lived alone, walked alone at night, ate at restaurants alone and went to the movies alone. I loved it. Now that I am married, I do most of these things with DH, but even so, still do a fair bit alone.

When I was single, I would get a lot of concern from well-meaning people about my 'strange' habits. And there was always the underlying view that it was a bit pathetic and sad. People still get weirded out now if I stay at a hotel by myself at night for a mini-break. Apparently if you are part of a couple, it is Just. Not.
The. Done. Thing.

In fact I know a woman in her mid-thirties who has never spent a night alone. Ever. Not in a hotel, not in her own home. If her partner is away, she makes arrangments for friends or family to come and stay. I find this situation beyond bizzare but no-one else seems to really think so.

So I am reading too much into this? I often wonder if deep down, people think 'little girls' should be sensible and stay at home until a man rescues them and shows them the world from the safety of his care.

[howdo]

I often wonder if deep down, people think 'little girls' should be sensible and stay at home until a man rescues them and shows them the world from the safety of his care.

There it is.

Plus the stereotypical crap of how women have to go to the bathroom together etc etc. It's like a cultural 'thing', I think.

[Saecularis Angel...]

I think it depends what you're doing. If it's something that's usually a social thing - like going out to dinner - doing it alone can seem a bit strange. If it's just going-about-your-life stuff, I wouldn't register it as odd at all. If it's seen as a "high-risk" thing to do - like using public transport late at night - it can seem a concern just from a personal safety point of view.

I'd also think it odd if someone couldn't do things on her own, or spend the night on her own, or whatever. That bespeaks a certain dependence to me.

[Nanaimo Girl]

It's completely effed up.

I constantly get told from one "well meaning" family member that DD and I won't be a "real" family until I find a man and get married.

[YellowKittyGlenn]

TBH I find it weird if you are never alone.

I live alone, go shopping on my own, movies, travel because sometimes I want to be on my own. I honestly think if you can't be or aren't ever alone there are bigger issues.

Just because your on your own doesn't mean your lonely. I have been in a crowd of people who I know and have felt more lonely and isolated then watch a movie at home alone.

Each to their own I guess

[Nanaimo Girl]

It's completely effed up.

Just realised that looks wrong lol. I mean it's effed up that people would view doing stuff alone as weird.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

I think some of the attitude comes from a safety angel. I personally wouldn't camp alone as I'd be scared sh*tless the Wolf Creek guy was going to kill me. I definitely have gone to the movies on my own, regularly go out for coffee, would LOVE to stay alone in a hotel, have travelled the world alone, blah blah. But certain things - like walking home in the dark, camping alone - I wouldn't choose to do.

I think most people would find it strange to stay in a hotel by yourself if you have a partner; whether you're male or female (unless it's a work trip or something).

[~shannon~]

I believe that if you can't enjoy your own company, then that's a problem you should face.

I've been to the movies on my own, lived on my own and loved it, and absolutely relish in my alone time now that I have kids and a husband. Nothing strange about that at all!

[countrymel]

I believe that if you can't enjoy your own company, then that's a problem you should face.

Indeed!

My Aunt can't cope at all if she is alone in the house at night - I honestly don't think she has ever done it, not once!

Unfortunately she is in her early 70s and her husband is - well - 'not very healthy'.

I honestly don't know what she will do when he goes.

[.Jerry.]

In line with the other thread about women, I do think that society generally raises girls to be sweet and pretty and delicate. Girls are to be protected and adored and rarely get to experience being on their own when young. Perhaps this contributes to some women feeling that they cannot make it on their own.