Dear Valued Users,
It's with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of StepTalk.org on August 31st, 2025.
This decision wasn't an easy one. For over twenty years, StepTalk has been a source of support for stepparents around the world! However, over the years, the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the site to remain secure, meet current standards and maintain availability have become unsustainable.
We are incredibly grateful for your support, contributions and the community you've helped us build. Your engagement has made StepTalk.org a special place and we cherish the memories and connections made here.
We would especially like to thank Aniki for volunteering to be a moderator and for caring so much.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and we wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dawn and The StepTalk Team
Comments
Living your best life!
Living your best life!
Also as part of one of the
Also as part of one of the best meal I ate...I went to a fine dining steakhouse
Of course I had to be extra and ordered seafood instead of steak, an appetizer, and a very tasty expensive mixed drink my dumb ass took 3 sips of and left the rest (my tolerance is non existent and the later it got the more my anxiety kicked in and I got worried I'd be super drunk, alone, and the worst fears started kicking in)
I invited a female acquaintance from my kids school but she and her friend decided to go to the restaurant next door ... whatev
My biggest regret is not getting there a bit earlier bc the seating was questionable and the service declined once the bar got super packed
If I'm going to go to a restaurant solo I like to sit in bar area bc some other people are chatty and it's easier to strike a conversation especially those u-shaped bars.
Anyways upon arrival, the male host tried to sit me next to some supposedly single men. Which wasn't that bad except it was right next to the area where the bar collects the drinks to hand off to the servers for their customers on the main floor who order drinks.
She asks if I want to move ... I really wanted to sit next to the single men buuuuut I didn't want to be that close to the bar traffic ...... so I move.
Praying some generous men sit next to me
Next thing I know ---- it's mf ing couples night or something and a dude pulls out a chair for his partner then a few minutes later, same thing on the other side of me.
Great! I'm next to couples so wtf can I possibly do with this?
Anyways I just enjoy my meal and surprisingly the woman on my left asks me about my food and we briefly chat. Idk if she's a swinger or what but her partner was kind of flirty with the bartender and she didn't seem to mind. She also could tell I was ready for my check but her partner kept off topic chatting with bartender so she subconsciously shut him up so I could get her attention for my tab.
The lady on the right started chatting me up too but this time she asked about my drink and insinuating it must be nasty if I didn't drink it all ... I didn't have the gall to tell her I'd rather leave it (shouldn't have ordered it tbh) than get wasted af when I'm out at night by myself.
I would have just slowly sipped up but once I started eating, the night started falling .... my eyes got heavier and heavier and I wanted to go to sleep lol.
Thankfully I live right near the place and had a very slim chance of dui
Waking up this morning and going to recreate the experience (minus the liquor)
Contemplating calling out or taking vto tomorrow so I can have even more time to enjoy my day sans kids.
Contemplating even more ways to leave my employers while doubling my income.
I enjoy going to restaurants
I enjoy going to restaurants on my own. It doesn't happen often these days, it was more common when I went freelance and I desperately needed to get out of the house. I'm a people watcher - it can be fascinating to observe others. I also generally have a book to read - books, good food and great service, what's not to like.
There's half a dozen restaurants (Vietnamese, Indian, steakhouse, French...) I frequent so I'm "known" but even before that, the tables I was offered were all away from the windows, back to the wall and where I could easily catch the waiter's eye if I needed anything. I never thought about it before but there seems to be an unspoken rule about keeping an eye out for women on their own without interfering.
I'm another who enjoys going
I'm another who enjoys going to restaurants solo. I had a job where I traveled a lot, so got quite comfortable eating out alone with a book to read while I enjoyed a leisurely meal.. Still do, on occasion.
Depends on what you had in mind
I can not go to a fancy restaurant by myself. Expecally on the weekend. Did you go for a good meal, or to meet people? Single man ? If you are going to meet a man there must be know restaurant/bars/clubs that has that reparations for a meeting place.
The first steep is the hardest. As first time out alone. It will be easier the next time. You should settle the drinking thing. Either keep it to one drink or seriously Uber it. No one wants a DWI today
Learning moment for sure. You
Learning moment for sure. You also enjoyed your meal. Bonus! Adjust and try again.