Restaurants are catering to a growing number of solo diners

NEW YORK (AP) — Parisa Imanirad, a scientist and cancer researcher from San Francisco, is married and has a wide circle of friends. But once or twice a week, she goes to a restaurant by herself.

Imanirad said dining alone gives her time to think or read. She tries not to touch her phone and relishes the silence. “It’s like a spa, but a different type,” Imanirad said during a recent solo lunch at Spruce, an upscale restaurant in San Francisco.

Imanirad isn’t alone in her desire to be alone. In the U.S., solo dining reservations have risen 29% over the last two years, according to OpenTable, the restaurant reservation site. They’re up 18% this year in Germany and 14% in the United Kingdom.

Japan even has a special term for solo dining: “ohitorisama,” which means “alone” but with honorifics spoken both before and after the word to make parties of one feel less hesitant. In a recent survey, Japan’s Hot Pepper Gourmet Eating Out Research Institute found that 23% of Japanese people eat out alone, up from 18% in 2018.

As a result, many restaurants in Japan and elsewhere are redoing their seating, changing their menus and adding other special touches to appeal to solo diners.

“Even so-called family restaurants are increasing counter seats for solitary diners, and restaurants are offering courses with smaller servings so a person eating alone gets a variety of dishes,” said Masahiro Inagaki, a senior researcher at the institute.

OpenTable CEO Debby Soo thinks remote work is one reason for the increase, with diners seeking respites from their home offices. But she thinks there are deeper reasons, too.

“I think there’s a broader movement of self-love and self-care and really… enjoying your own company,” Soo said.

The pandemic also made social interactions less feasible and therefore less important while eating out, said Anna Mattila, a professor of lodging management at Penn State University who has studied solo dining. And smartphones help some restaurant patrons feel connected to others even when they’re by themselves, she said.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/restaurants-solo-dining-trend-e1a4d5259007c5831d1ad0a955875a2f

Comprehension

How does Parisa Imanirad describe her solo dining experiences?
What data did OpenTable share regarding solo dining trends in the U.S., Germany, and the U.K.?
What is the term "ohitorisama" in Japan, and how does it relate to solo dining?
How are restaurants in Japan adapting to the increase in solo diners?
What reasons does OpenTable CEO Debby Soo give for the rise in solo dining?
How has remote work contributed to the trend of solo dining, according to the article?
What broader social movements does Soo link to the increase in solo dining?
How did the pandemic affect the importance of social interactions while dining out, according to Anna Mattila?

Discussion

Why do you think more people are choosing to dine alone in recent years?
How might solo dining offer benefits to individuals beyond just enjoying a meal?
In what ways are restaurants adjusting to accommodate solo diners, and how might these changes impact the dining experience?
What cultural differences exist in how solo dining is perceived or practiced across countries like the U.S., Japan, and Germany?
How do smartphones affect the experience of solo dining, both positively and negatively?
In your opinion, does solo dining promote a sense of independence and self-care, or does it reflect a shift in social dynamics?
How might the rise of solo dining change the restaurant industry in the future?
Do you think the pandemic has permanently changed the way people interact in public spaces like restaurants? Why or why not?
How can restaurants create environments that make solo diners feel more comfortable and welcome?
What are some other social trends that might be influencing people's desire to dine alone?

Vocabulary

Respite – A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
Honorific – A title or word implying or expressing respect.
Remote Work – Working from a location outside the traditional office, often from home.
Feasible – Possible to do easily or conveniently.
Spa – A place offering health and relaxation treatments, often used metaphorically to describe a relaxing experience.
Self-Love – Regard for one's own well-being and happiness.
Solo – Alone, without a companion.
Pandemic – A global outbreak of a disease, specifically referring to COVID-19 in this context.