I’d go for the seat facing the most people. I’m a people whatcher. (as creepy as that sounds)
I might be inclined to go for the seat with the view, but it would have to be an awesome view like, sitting atop a majestic mountain or on a beachfront. Something like that.
I usually pick the seat with the best lighting (I’m another one who brings a book along) or whichever one seems least likely to be in the path of the waitstaff (less likelihood of getting bumped or jostled). Those things being equal, I’d pick a seat facing a window or the crowd. When I look up from my book, I’d prefer to have something other than the wall to look at.
I need to have my back to the wall. I’m happiest when I’m sitting in a corner. Even when out with friends, I’ll take the seat that’s furthest back, although I really couldn’t tell you why.
Can I get a seat at the bar, facing the door AND still bring a book?
Definitely go for the light. In the evening, I’ll sit with my back to the wall.
Back to the wall; if that’s not an option, back to the less-crowded part of the room.
It will really depend on the type of place, time of day, and the clientele.
If there are a lot of business traveller types such as a hotel restaurant, then it doesn’t matter too much. Many of the people in there are eating by themselves.
Otherwise, I usually try to find a place as close to, if not at, the bar. I’m less likely to wait forever for drink refills as single diners tend to be ignored by the wait staff unless the restauarant is very slow.
I don’t find that to be true at all, in my experience. I almost always get great service.
Drove me crazy in the UK…all the places where you couldn’t even drink at the bar let alone eat. That is, you could stand next to it, but no seats…very disconcerting, to find a pub culture has no concept of “sitting at the bar”.
Anyway, barring bars, back to the wall. Where ever I have the best option of observing without being observed. Or at least having the option of observig if my book doesn’t hold my interest (and light is not a factor…been told alll my life “you’ll ruin your eyesight reading in light like that”…hasn’t happened yet 
)
Back to the wall. I had no idea there were so many of us out there. I’ve always said it was due to a former lifetime as a riverboat gambler who was shot in the back. 
I don’t do classy when eating alone; never have. I’m more likely to try to find an inexpensive-but-good ethnic restaurant, or an interesting hole-in-the-wall of some sort.
And I’ll try to find the best table or booth to read or surf the Web (if they’re a hotspot) while eating.
Always, always sit with my back to a wall, or if that’s not possible then whichever seat has the least amount of foot traffic/walkways behind it. I loathe people standing/walking behind me (strange personal space issues) and I get very uncomfortable unless I’ve got some space there that nobody’s going to intrude on.
If given my druthers, with the best light and the fewest people around.
Another back to the wall, or tucked into a corner person here. I don’t like my chair being jostled or kicked.
I would sit Choice 8, or Down. I’ll have my nose buried in a book, so it doesn’t matter what chair I take.
I’d prefer my back to the wall. Alternately, where I can see the most people because I’m an avid people watcher. Usually, the light in a place is consistent anywhere in the place, so that’s not an issue unless I’m bringing something to read. But, If I bring something to read, then which establishment I pick is the first choice - I’ll avoid a place where I don’t have room to spread out a paper/magazine and that doesn’t have light.
If it’s a restaurant where they have a counter across from the grill where the action is though, I’ll take that even if it means having my back to the room. Some of the best times and meals I’ve had have been like that.
Regarding having my back to the wall, I do it for security reasons: it lessens the chance of my stuff being stolen.
Ah yes, and then there is the perky hostess who announces loudly to your face, “Party of one?”
I always want to pull out a party hat and put in on when I walk through the restaurant.
I usually take a book or magazine, and prefer to sit in a booth, but if there are no booths, put my back to a wall and let me glance up to see who else is in the room.
Of course, few people look at me - wearing my party hat and all.
That’s what I do. Plus, I like to sit by the drinks station and join the waitstaff in making disparaging comments about unsavory customers.
Yeah, I’m a riot at parties. :dubious:
Stranger