What a place for a first post.. Anyway its interesting to read the comments, I travle frequently for business in Australia and overseas and I often dine alone, generally I get treated pretty wekll but there are occasions where the experience is frustrating and down right bad - the common ones (which other people have mentioned) are being seated at bad tables, not being offered the wine list, being offered sympathy from the wait staff (this is really embarrassing and it can happen a lot) and restaurants that look down their nose at you when you have the temerity to read a book or work. The funny thing is that in australia tipping isnt normal, nor is it expected as wait staff are paid wages, however i will always tip for good service and generally do so in cash if its an expense account meal and when I am travelling and eating its always expense account and my employer doesnt have a per diem so i can spend what i like on food - bad service is guaranteed to ensure i wont spend much and i wont tip - if i get lousy service from a restuarant then i wont have dessert there or coffee, i find somewhere else. But i have to say its uncommon to get bad service just because you are dining alone, my experience is that bad service is bad service whether theres one or 20 of you. oh and to the person who said its about money and that airlines dont make profits dont kid yourself - airlines ALWAYS make profits, regardless of what they build into their balance sheets in write downs, those that dont go broke fast. Likewise i could care what your food cost is and if youd rather seat a 4 top, im here and im your customer so you can serve me or i will find somewhere else.