I miss "singles world" it was Ny based & it was an open group of people from 18-80. We always had a fantastic time.

... with restaurant food, you don't know what you're getting.
... then they think you're going to be impressed if they lard it over a mountain of mashed potatoes.

... or they have this strange need to put heavy cream in all their sauces.

I like going to places where I can get something I wouldn't cook for myself. I had a gator burger the other day.

the gator burger? just like chicken?

NOT like chicken at all.

It was not my first taste of alligator, but it was my first gator burger. Usually you see it heavily breaded and deep fried, so you don't get the full flavor.

Ideally I sleep with friends or in my vehicle, and have my own food and means to cook it.

Every now and then the host/ess will look at me funny.

But most of the time it's a smile and a "Right this way, Sir."

I'm also a champion tipper, so maybe word gets around.

always makes sure to carry a bag of books, so he's got something to read in any restaurant or coffee shop.

it also keeps well meaning people who think I need social interaction from trying to engage me in conversation

i use my knitting for that

Although, being a librarian, I'm a physical book nut first - then electronic/wi fi.

I simply don't have the budget for it.

When I did, in years past, I never had any trouble traveling alone, or eating alone. I love having a hotel room all to myself. I've done quite a bit of traveling to conferences for work over the years; I often pay extra so I don't have to share a room with a colleague. We spend all day together in conferences, and then they plan nights out on the town in strange cities; I sometimes eat dinner with them, almost never go exploring, and am most often found alone in my room with room service...and bliss. No chores, nobody who has to have my attention, some good books...I'm content.