Eating in public issues anyone?

[cowboyup]

Does anyone have any issues about eating in a public place?

I do. I get really shy about eating anything in public. I am afraid I'll choke, I feel like everyone is staring at me, the list goes on and on.

If you have similar issues, how do you cope other than obvious of just not going out in public area to eat.

I was with my family (usually only time I go out is with family) and they like to eat out a lot and have invited me some - I've gone, but I only order things that are really easy to eat or just a beverage. If I get something substantial to eat I begin to feel like I am going to choke or have a panic attack right there - which did happen once. Sometimes if I am feeling especially brave, I'll try to force myself to do something I am fearful of (example: eating in public) thinking maybe I can work through it but end up in panic attack.

 

[kihira]

I had trouble with this for years and only got around it by getting help from psychologists, medication from my doctor and lots of exposure therapy. I can eat in public without thinking about it now, but I used to shake if I thought someone was watching me, very embarassing and would make me so anxious about any social event that involved eating

 

[MollyBeGood]

i do have problems with this so I usually go to uncrowded places to eat. Like today, we were the only people on the one side of the room, in a booth etc... made it easier I even forgot I had issues.

 

[this_portrait]

Eh, not so much. I did very briefly when I first got to college, and I used to be really self-conscious about it around guys I was attracted to. I seemed to have phased out of it, though.

 

[MsBuzzkillington]

I do and I don't at the same time. I can eat in public and enjoy my meal, although if I am with people I will try and eat less so no one thinks I am a big eater. I am always paranoid that people are staring at my thinking I am a huge pig. But I would say 90% of the time I would prefer to get the meal to go. W

ell 100% of the time I would prefer to get the meal to go, but 10% of the time I can handle eating there.

 

[GhoulsNightOut]

Maybe you can try distracting yourself like playing games on your cell while you eat.
Sometimes I get paranoid about being watched while I eat too, but then I'll think "Screw it! I'm not here to impress anyone with proper eating behavior or whatever." And then I gorge... You should try that too because it works for me!

 

[deleted #89]

I don't like being watched PERIOD.

 

[outsideroftheoutsiders]

With people - no
By myself - yes (don't remember the last time i did - therefore often go hungry at uni)

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

I have a friend who is the exact same.
His anxiety about eating in public is so bad that his throat will physically close up when he's in public so he can't eat anything.
No restaurants, no food stalls-- no eating unless he gets it to go and eats in the car or drives to a park or something to eat.

I am okay with eating in public. In private AND public I feel anxious about anyone seeing me eat, so I tend to hold one hand over my mouth to shield the view from anyone who might happen into the room while I'm eating.
I often feel sick after eating- but that's probably moreso allergies than anxiety.

 

[cowboyup]

OK, so I am not extremely odd ... good advice and tips, thanks guys!
I appreciate everybody's input

 

[Hoppy]

I have absolutely no issues with eating in public, as long as I am alone. Sitting with a group and eating is my personal definition of hell.

 

[recluse]

It's funny but eating in public does not bother me at all, it used to though. The thing that bothers me is actually ordering food.

 

[BleedTheFreak]

It doesn't bother me now as much as it used to, but I still try to avoid eating messy things in front of people.

 

[Boby]

No, it doesn't bother me.It was an issue but i traveled quite a bit from an early age ,so i had to eat in public a lot and i eventually got used to it.

 

[lonely_drummer]

Omg, this is me at my worst. I absolutely fear eating in front of anyone, even my roomates, so I only cook when no ones around which makes them wonder, when the hell does this guy eat? I just smile and keep the mystery going lol. I get really shaky when it happens and can barely get the food to my mouth anyway, I'm shaking now just thinking of it.

 

[Boby]

Omg, this is me at my worst. I absolutely fear eating in front of anyone, even my roomates, so I only cook when no ones around which makes them wonder, when the hell does this guy eat? I just smile and keep the mystery going lol. I get really shaky when it happens and can barely get the food to my mouth anyway, I'm shaking now just thinking of it.

I say it's a good challenge.
Why don't you try eating around others?It will be a good exercise to face your fears.Take it easy ,first start by eating a bag of chips or something small around your roommates and aim for meal at a restaurant .
I was afraid to eat in public too but i had no choice but to face my fear.I eventually got used to it and now i actually enjoy eating in public like a restaurant.

 

[Gaucho]

It's funny but eating in public does not bother me at all, it used to though. The thing that bothers me is actually ordering food.

same here. being in the waiting line in a fast food restaurant for example. I use to think that in the moment i order something, everyone will listen to me and judge me.

 

[Kinetik]

Well, I don't like to eat alone out in public, so I won't do that unless absolutely necessary. I also prefer not to eat messy or sloppy foods, like spaghetti or spare ribs. And given that I seem to get flirted with a lot by gay men in general, I avoid suggestive things like popsicles, bananas and hot dogs like the plague.

 

[Gaucho]

Well, I don't like to eat alone out in public, so I won't do that unless absolutely necessary. I also prefer not to eat messy or sloppy foods, like spaghetti or spare ribs. And given that I seem to get flirted with a lot by gay men in general, I avoid suggestive things like popsicles, bananas and hot dogs like the plague.

lol, heheh

 

[hidwell]

Well, I don't like to eat alone out in public, so I won't do that unless absolutely necessary. I also prefer not to eat messy or sloppy foods, like spaghetti or spare ribs. And given that I seem to get flirted with a lot by gay men in general, I avoid suggestive things like popsicles, bananas and hot dogs like the plague.

Very funny