Eating in public

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WelshOne

Well-known member
Does anyone else have trouble eating in public? I dont really see much talk about it on here, so was wondering if its just me!


For me I think its just tied in with the general social anxiety. When I feel really anxious, I get a bit nauseous, and the last thing I want to do is put food in my mouth. A year ago I would be unable to eat the night before I knew I had to go somewhere, even, but Im not so bad now.

I also have a fear of panicking when Im eating in public, and having to leave an entire plate of food - which might result in the waiter thinking I didnt like the food and questioning me about it.

I dont have any problem with food when Im alone (unless Im really anxious about something) though, so I dont feel I have any eating disorder. If anything I would like to put ON a bit of weight!
 
B

Banvard

1
I don’t have a problem eating in public. I do have a problem sitting at a table comfortably. I mostly have eye contact trouble; it makes me nervous when nobody speaks. Also trying not to look at people on other tables is hard.
 
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mimi1988

Well-known member
I used to have a phobia of eating in public and using public restrooms. In elementary I wouldn't use the bathroom unless I really had to go... I still sometimes feel a little uncomfortable eating in public, but it's only when I'm sitting alone and eating in public. I always think ppl are saying, "she looks so lonely" lol... Oh, it's (fear of public eating) A LOT more common than you might think. Most ppl may just find other aspects of SA more agonizing, and so they talk about those issues more.
 
NormanBates

NormanBates

Well-known member
It always seems like the more high-end eateries are always the most crowded places. I guess in my mind, a desirable eating environment is some place quiet and sparsely peopled.
 
mismeek

mismeek

Well-known member
OMG I have the exact same problem! I cant go out on dates because eventually they want to take me to dinner and I'm just so afraid of throwing up that I usually panic. I cant eat two hours before going anywhere.

we should talk about this sometime!
 
mndigi

mndigi

Well-known member
Yes, I am very conscious if I eat outside so I avoid it. I have a weight problem (I'm overweight) since childhood and that may contribute to it (it is the root of my whole social-phobia in fact). But I am okay drinking juice/cold-drinks outside.

I have read on wikipedia that consciousness about eating outdoors is common amongst people with eating/weight disorders.
 
RND_CHR

RND_CHR

Well-known member
Rodox- how do you have 500 posts? I have like 1/10th of that and You've been a member only about twice as long as me.
 
Rodox

Rodox

Well-known member
RND_CHR said:
Rodox- how do you have 500 posts? I have like 1/10th of that and You've been a member only about twice as long as me.
Click to expand...

Well I only have like 1 post per day,I have been unenployed for about 6 months now too,when I find work you will not see me around as much.
 
Tiercel

Tiercel

Well-known member
If I'm with at least one other person I'm usually okay, as my attention is kept at my own table. But when out by myself, I'll be the guy in the fast food restaurant sitting by the window with his back to the rest of the restaurant. Not so much because of any problems eating in public, though. The outside world is usually more attractive to me than the inside of most restaurants.
 
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WelshOne

Well-known member
Well I just had an appointment with my Psychologist, and like my last 2 appointments, we went into my local town and had some food at a cafe. Its so hard for me... I chose a salad (cause its light) but as soon as she mentioned ordering a full breakfast (bacon, sausage, beans etc) I had a moment of panic and started heaving a bit (covered my mouth with my hand so others couldnt see.) Its stupid because I can really enjoy that sort of food when Im alone, but when Im feeling anxious/sickly even the mention of greasy type foods tips me over the edge. Anyway, I regained control of myself and was able to eat half the salad (just left the coleslaw and some potatoes which were covered in something strange.) Ah well, I survived.

mismeek said:
OMG I have the exact same problem! I cant go out on dates because eventually they want to take me to dinner and I'm just so afraid of throwing up that I usually panic. I cant eat two hours before going anywhere.

we should talk about this sometime!
Click to expand...

Sounds exactly like me! The dating thing is one of my biggest concerns too... not being able to take a girl out to dinner because I wouldnt be able to cope with the situation.

Also I cant eat anything the morning before I have an appointment or something like that. Ive gotten a lot better though because it used to affect me the night before too (even if it was just an appointment with my psychologist the next day.) Its like I dont want to "risk" putting food in my stomach in case Im sick at the appointment... (the nausea is the WORST symptom of anxiety for me.)
 
M

mikestar

Banned
yer I get panicky occasionaly if I think people are watching me, gets so bad I cant lift the fork to my mouth as my hand shakes that much, horrible when you have to eat soup
 
mismeek

mismeek

Well-known member
WelshOne said:
Sounds exactly like me! The dating thing is one of my biggest concerns too... not being able to take a girl out to dinner because I wouldnt be able to cope with the situation.

Also I cant eat anything the morning before I have an appointment or something like that. Ive gotten a lot better though because it used to affect me the night before too (even if it was just an appointment with my psychologist the next day.) Its like I dont want to "risk" putting food in my stomach in case Im sick at the appointment... (the nausea is the WORST symptom of anxiety for me.)
Click to expand...


yeah when i get anxious the first thing do it get nauseous. Can you still go out to dinner with friends and just not eat? I've tried that a couple of times, but I felt like I was drawing attention to myself so it made the anxiety worse. What I noticed helps (might help you too) is chewing gum...it keeps the nausea at bay and gives you an anxiety outlet. I can only chew mint though.
 
L Hilla

L Hilla

Well-known member
I'm alright; it's just the slight paranoia that can get me off guard, but for the most part I'm fine (as long as nothing ticks me off).
 
D

doesit

Well-known member
can eat in public with someone who i know sitting beside me,but fecking hate eating at work when u have to eat in a 2 square meters size canteen with 2 other people around you 2inch away.
 
anomicdeer

anomicdeer

Well-known member
finally.. I see someone else the same way. Like I really don't like to eat in public... thats the worst thing for me when I go in public... because people always want to eat... I rather eat at home.
 
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atvsamala

Member
It may seem lonely eating out alone and you might even feel paranoid about it. But for me, eating out in public isn't half bad because I get to observe the people on the other table while I'm eating.

If you are not comfortable eating out alone, then, bring your family or a close friend with you. And never feel paranoid about dining in a restaurant. Other people would not mind you that much as they have other things in their minds.

Regards,
atvsamala
 
oxygencult

oxygencult

Active member
I've never had a problem eating alone. However, when I'm eating with my friends, I'm the last one to finish eating. What can I say, I'm a very slow eater. I just don't like people to wait for me to finish what I'm eating..
 
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Fighter86

Well-known member
When I'm eating with someone, I try not to eat messy food like noodles or chicken wings because I worry how I look like when I'm eating it. I try to eat 'cleaner' foods like say an omelette where you can cleanly cut it with a knife and fork and put it neatly in your mouth. Also, I take real long to eat, because I feel I have to be constantly talking to eliminate the silence and eye contact when dining with other people. Its quite tiring really, so sometimes, I just prefer to eat alone. At least then, I can eat whatever I want to eat and not worry about how I look when I eat and actually enjoy my food. But then again, there are other times when I feel really down and just want someone to talk to so I actually ask someone to dine with me.
 
K

Kinetik

Well-known member
I only have a problem with it if the food requires the use of my hands, so I avoid things like spare ribs, or dishes that are fiddly in some way (like spaghetti) because I hate looking clumsy or undignified when I'm eating. And of course, like most men, I'd rather die than eat a banana in public. :D
 
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