Transcript

SPEAKER 1 My friend was meant to come to the film, but she called an hour before and said she was ill. I nearly stayed home, then thought I'd already bought the ticket. Once the lights went down, it didn't matter that I was alone. Actually, I felt more relaxed because I wasn't wondering whether she liked it. Afterwards I sat in the café for ten minutes and read the reviews. I'd go alone again, though I still prefer having someone to argue with on the way home. The café was full of other people on their own as well, so I stopped thinking anyone was noticing me. I wouldn't have gone if I'd needed to buy another ticket. SPEAKER 2 Nobody in my family was interested in the exhibition, and it closed the following week, so I went by myself. I normally move through museums at somebody else's speed. This time I stayed with one painting for ages and skipped a whole room that didn't grab me. I noticed small bits of colour I'd probably have missed in a group. The only odd moment was lunch, when I kept thinking of things I wanted to tell someone, so I sent my sister far too many photos. I bought the exhibition booklet and read it later, which helped me remember the bits I'd spent time with. SPEAKER 3 I'd just moved to the city and didn't know many people, so I booked a Saturday walking tour. I expected to listen quietly and go home. Instead, the guide asked where everyone was from, and by the second stop I was chatting to a couple who lived near me. We had coffee afterwards and swapped numbers. The tour itself was useful, but the surprise was how easy it was to talk when we were all looking at the same buildings rather than sitting face to face. One of those people later showed me a cheaper supermarket, which was honestly as useful as the historical facts. SPEAKER 4 I won a ticket to a small concert through the local paper. My partner was working, and the ticket was only for one person, so I went alone. I arrived early and asked an usher whether the seat had a clear view because it was right at the side. She moved me to an empty seat near the centre before the music started. I hadn't expected anyone to bother. That small bit of help meant I could see the musicians properly and stopped me feeling awkward about being there by myself. I stayed for the second half instead of slipping out at the interval, and I'm glad I did. I hadn't expected the usher to move me. SPEAKER 5 I had a rare free afternoon and honestly didn't want to arrange anything with anyone. I took a book to a café across town, ordered lunch and stayed for nearly two hours. Choosing my own pace was the nicest part. I didn't have to rush the food or keep a conversation going. I thought I might feel self-conscious, but plenty of people were on their own with laptops or newspapers. The only planning involved was finding a table away from the speaker because the music was a bit loud. I ordered another coffee when the café became quieter, then walked home rather than taking the bus.