Eating in public, restuarants etc.

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Sometimes eating in front of others bothers me, but if its someone I am going to be sensitive around I don't order salad, anything with pasta or a sauce or soup. I've never been quite sure anyway the proper way to eat salads with chunky things in them nor how to eat noodles like you get in Asian restaurants. I heard on tv among the Japanese its considered a sin to cut or bite the noodle in half...you must eat the entire noodle at once or its bad luck. With that in the back of my mind I worry in Chinese restaurants if they have the same beliefs and what IS the right way to eat lo mein or chow mein noodles?

When I am on a first date I loathe eating out because I tend to get nervous and drop stuff or else dry mouthed then have trouble swallowing. So I will only eat with people I know like family, friends or co-workers I am comfortable with or are as weird as I am.

Ok this is what I have found-- Waitress asks "Can I get you something to drink?" You smile and say yes, some iced tea would be great.

She comes back - "Are you ready to order?" You say could I have a few more minutes to decide? And say it with a smile. Or else say Yes, I'd like the basic burger with fries please.

When she comes bring your drink or meal you smile and say "Thank you". But if she comes back with more drink, butter, ketchup, etc you smile each time and thank her each time but you thank her in different words each time. You can smile, pause then say "thank you so very much". "Thank you for the extra napkins" " I appreciate you getting that for me". (Not all 3 phrases at once' I'm saying use different phrases throughout the meal. Now since we are all in different countries you must use local words in place of any American slang I am using or else you will look odd.

Whatever you do don't say "Thank you" in a rushed, authoritarian tone like you are a military commander trying to dismiss the waitress from the table. I notice Aspies do this because they are so worried about saying thank you that they obsess over it and say it too hurriedly and too loudly and it comes off like you are either barking at the waitress to be nice when you don't want to be or you are trying to get her to leave.

Find some NT you highly respect who you know has good manners and is intelligent and observe how they speak with servers in restaurants, coffee houses and in stores. Whatever you do always smile!

I'm not shy about eating in public, I like to go out to eat by myself. Eating with anyone else seems weird though, I avoid it whenever possible. I don't understand the custom. We can talk anytime, why get together at the one time you can't talk because you're chewing food, it makes no sense. We don't sit around and poop together.

When I was in high school, I used to sit by myself during the lunch break, and also partly so that I didn't have to eat in front of other people. I was paranoid.

That was a long time ago and I've learnt that eating together is a social thing to do.

I've also learnt that people in general are talking too much to notice eating habits. When I have friends over for dinner, I will still use my hands for some vegetables like beans, and to chew meat off a bone. And if they very very good friends, I will even lick my plate.

I'm very particular and I'm very particular about where I eat. I do not like eating with the local trash so tend to avoid those sorts of places. I love nice restaurants, but not so nice that I feel out of place or don't know what fork to use.

As far as eating goes, I don't really care. I hate when kids hang over the dividers and stare or touch me, that really pisses me off. I like the aspect of having good service. Would rather not eat in large groups. I tend to eat fast.

I don't tend to eat in public very often but if you try to interrupt me while I'm eating you'll probably get a very primitive reaction along the lines of "WHAT?!". Sorry, but I love my food. I enjoy eating at the table as a family (and often insist on it) but eating as a social event holds little appeal.

One thing I do is I always want a booth and try to pick the seat facing most of the restaurant and the door if possible. It may never happen, but I don't like thinking that someone can come up and surprise me while I'm distracted by my food.

It bothers me to an extent-I don't want people watching me. But I'm more bothered by the smells and sights and sounds of OTHER people eating. Particularly once I've finished my food. I rarely eat out, but if it's just with my mom or something I'll sometimes need to step out of the restaurant when I'm finished. I guess I can igore it better while I'm still eating.

Doesn't one of those unwritten social rules say you are not supposed to eat in a restaurant by yourself? I tend to follow that rule, and it works fairly well (so, I don't go to public restaurants often). As for general public (i.e. fast food), no one seems to care what anyone else does one way or the other.

I really used to have a problem eating in public. I'm not really sure where it came from exactly but I just didn't like doing it. It really stressed me out. I've gotten over it and can usually handle eating out now.

I don't think so. I guess people mostly do it as a sort of social event, but I don't think there's any kind of social rule about eating at a restaurant by yourself. I would be wrong though as I'm not exactly the master of knowing about social rules

I'm probably not self consious enough when I'm out in public--- i don't eat in a pretty manner. I don't always hold my utensils correctly. I will drop stuff in my lap. I sometimes forget that other people are there, because my food is more important. I also eat fast. I don't really care about anything but my stomach.

I find it to be a bit unnerving, but in a restaurant I guess people aren't really preoccupied with watching you eat, so try not to bother.

i feel better with people i know, fast food places seem easier than resturants, tend to get selfconsious and the start obsessing wich means less thinking about motor control and usually results in accidental flying food,spilt drinks or the dropping food on mysel f or someone else senerio. still ive learnt to laugh at myself(while wanting to die of embaressment} or to avoid eating when out if i dont feel comftable

Never had the problem. I guess it's because I've been in situations where I've eaten around others ever since I can remember. And if I had shown fear at eating with others around, my dear parents would have done their best to cure me of the trait.

Those of you who are afraid to eat with others around, take heart. Unless you're in a situation where it's not polite to be eating or are very messy or noisy while eating, most people won't think twice about you eating. It's a perfectly normal, crucial, human activity

I don't really feel comfortable eating in public. I don't like people watching me eat and I don't like watching other people do it either. It looks nasty. I also hate the sound of people chewing/swallowing/making general food sounds.

I do it because I have too but always with friends (even then it's annoying). I get too nervous to eat alone in a crowded place.