Members of the Penn Forest Recreational Park Advisory Committee were asked if they would appear solo in normally social places.

“I wouldn’t go to a classy restaurant by myself,” said Terry Levan. “I think I’d feel guilty about not having my family with me. Now I’d go into a tavern or bar by myself,” he added. “Guys do that.”

Jennifer Bevilacqua expressed a big “No way” to dining alone.

“I’d be too self-conscious. People eating around me would be looking and wondering why I’m not with anyone. Then I can just imagine the waitress would come over and pick up the other place setting from my table and say, ‘You won’t be needing this.’”

Bevilacqua said that there should be a bar or tavern for women only, because a woman going into a mixed-gender place by herself is sending a message that might be misunderstood, “If you know what I mean.”

Rick Tweed would occasionally dine by himself in an upscale restaurant as some do when they travel alone or on business. But just to leave his house and go out to eat with no company, he responded, “Probably not.”

As for going to a movie alone, all three would do it, especially if it’s a film that he or she really wants to see, but can’t find anyone else who does.

“Besides, you aren’t really social with someone because you’re watching the movie,” said Levan.

“And, you’re in the dark so no one knows if you are even there,” he said.

Levan and Bevilacqua said no to vacationing alone because they’d feel bad about having a good time without their families, but Tweed put a different spin on the topic.

“I’d go alone if at the same time my wife wanted to go to a different location, and then she could go there by herself.”

Having one ticket to a concert would be no problem for Levan.

“If I really wanted to see a particular show, I’d go and it wouldn’t bother me if I had to sit between two couples.”

Whether going out by oneself is construed to be a self-centered act or a self-conscious problem, ultimately, the decision depends upon the comfort level of the individual.