I am in my second year at college and I am having a problem. I have not eaten in the cafeteria at all since I have been here. The reason is because I am a very shy person. I walk over to the cafeteria, but I see all of the people in there and turn around and go back to my dorm room. This costing a lot because I end up buying stuff. How can I make it easy to go to the cafeteria? I am a shy person and it is just hard for me to get up the nerve to go in there. I also am required to pay 900 bucks for meals and I never use that. Please give me some tips to make it easier to go into the crowded cafeteria to eat. I really want to, but when I see the crowd I get nervous and back out. Noone around me understands this problem. Please help.
2007-08-23 13:23:57 · 6 answers · asked by Eric 2 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
You could try getting there a little early or late when there aren't as many people there (to kind of "get your feet wet"). You could also go there with someone you know and feel comfortable with, maybe even a professor or someone who others have respect for. Do you want to go through life being afraid to be with other people? Work on getting over this. You can do it!
2007-08-25 16:28:16 · answer #1 · answered by Incognito 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had that problem when I was in High school for my senior year, I had just moved to a new town. I met a few people before lunch and when the time came to go to lunch that day "the first" day of school, I didnt go, so I kinda hid in the library as my luck would have it no one cared or noticed. Thinking back on it now I should not have gone to the library forthe very same reason I did not want to go into a room with a bunch of strangers for lunch. Weird huh? So ask yourself "have you ever been uncomfortable walking into school or church the same way you feel about eating with others? Its just a mental block you need to get over, tell some one this story and see if they wouldnt mind having lunch with you sometime, I can tell you cant do this alone, dont be afraid to seek help. Dont live your life in fear PLEASE!!!! Good luck to you.
2007-08-23 15:05:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tim G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a book or magazine with you to read while you eat. Choose a table where your back can be to the wall. That always makes me more comfortable. You will feel less "exposed".
While you eat, casually look up every now and then. Make eye contact with people and smile, then look back at your book. You may get lucky! One day the place may be so full, that someone may ask if they can sit at your table with you.
If they do say, "Sure, I can use the company". Then try to have a little conversation with them, maybe get their name, and when leaving, say, "I have enjoyed our conversation, maybe I'll see you around". If you do see them later, Speak!
Before long you will be more and more comfortable, and may even have a group of friends you can meet daily for lunch!
2007-08-26 13:32:10 · answer #3 · answered by Lady M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A FAIRLY SERIOUS PHOBIA. TAKING MEALS WITH OTHERS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FUN, SOCIAL ACTIVITY (ALTHOUGH THE CAFETERIA FOOD MAY SCARE YOU). THIS WOULD BE A GOOD PROBLEM TO TAKE TO A COUNSELOR. GROUP THERAPY WOULD BE BEST. OTHERS HAVE THE SAME FEAR BUT THEY FIND WAYS OF COPING AND YOU CAN USE SOME COPING TECHNIQUES EVEN IF THE FOOD REMAINS POOR. IN THE MEANTIME, TAKE A GOOD BOOK WITH YOU - IT MAY HELP YOU FORGET YOUR ANXIETY AND MAY ALSO GIVE OTHERS SOMETHING THEY CAN RELATE TO YOU BY.
2007-08-25 20:09:12 · answer #4 · answered by GENE 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your parents are paying your cafeteria bill, tell them you are wasting 900 of their dollars. They'll set you straight.
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2007-08-23 15:17:04 · answer #5 · answered by Wise@ss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go with ur friends. its always easier to do that sort of stuff with ppl u like and are comfy with.
2007-08-26 12:50:46 · answer #6 · answered by waterlily750 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋