Two's a crowd

No one's hanging about waiting for company. Many Bangaloreans, especially women, are happy to do things on their own Bangaloreans are going solo -- whether it's shopping, movie watching, eating out or travelling. And in case you have a steroeptype in mind -- someone lonely, single and sans friends -- you are wrong. A lot of people who are opting for fun alone, especially women, don't fit that description at all. Can't wait for company It's urban lifestyles where finding shared time is difficult that's dictating this trend. For Ribkah Solomon going alone to catch a film was a no-no. "But once I was ditched by two friends at the last minute and did not want to miss the film. I went by myself and felt miserable and self-conscious for a bit. I even wept silently in the hall. But now I can go catch a film by myself without thinking twice. It is such a liberating feeling!" Writer Anita Nair too enjoys watching morning or afternoon shows at a movie hall. "Though there's nothing quite like viewing a film at home in your own company." she says. Shopping solo With large malls and departmental stores springing up in the city, going out alone does not seem as daunting as it used to. There's always a fairly large crowd hanging out and it's quite safe strolling about. "I don't like shopping for clothes with my friends," says working woman Priyanka. "When I shop, I know exactly what I want and once I'm done, I'm out of the store. My friends like windowshopping, make the shop assistant pull out everything and then wind up not buying. I find that very irritating and time-consuming." Art collector and home maker Gita Maini who has tons of family and friends says she loves her time alone. "My idea of being alone ideally is to shop for clothes, food, bath products, footwear to feel recharged. I call it retail therapy," she says. Fashion expert Sushma Desai is quite comfortable shopping by herself but finds the idea of catching a movie or eating alone still strange. "In India it is not safe for a woman to travel alone or even watch a film alone. I would never dream of eating alone unless it was absolutely necessary." Alone abroad Anita Nair prefers her own company on many occasions. Eating a full-course meal by herself is not at all an awkward experience, she says. And travelling alone abroad is fine. "The only problem is when you order food and wine and can't finish it," she says. "I've often ordered a bottle of wine and had to drink it all up and end up a bit tipsy or just waste it!" she says. Anita would rather not travel to smaller towns in India and stay in local hotels by herself though, "as it can get dicey." "I've even been to places of pilgrimage in north India all by myself," says holistic healer and single mother Archana Lakhotia. "I've always been an independent person and was brought up to do things on my own." But Sushma Desai has some reservations about travelling alone. "I would not mind going on a short trip nearby. But I need to share my experiences with someone. So even if I went alone, I would make a friend in the hotel and go sight-seeing with her." Party for one Going to a party alone is all right, but it can get a bit awkward when someone latches on to you when you get there, says Anita Nair. Reading a book at her fave coffee shop in-between appointments and chores, is something she looks forward to as well. cavalesangeeta@indiatimes.com