eating in public?

Question

okay so i always feel weird and self conscious when eating in public and sometimes in front of my family
i am a little chubby but then i have no problem eating in front of my best friend but then tomorrow i have a date and the guy wants to go out to eat and i said i don't eat in public and he was like why and it was just to complicated to explain it to him
but i mean is this normal

I always feel like someones watching me eat
and then after i eat every meal i feel
awful and just wanna die

14 and my mom used to say certain things and my sister used to say things to me too

Answer 1

its so wierd how you are exactly how i used to be it was very hard for me to eat in public and i always assumed that somone was watching me and secretly saying that i didnt need to eat cus i was fat
the way i got over it to a certain exstent is my bf is very supportive and he sort of makes eatting funny so its not such a huge deal
also be aware of what ur eating as in type of food spaghetti is not an easy food to eat everyone looks silly eating spaghetti
good luck

Answer 2

If you actually have to avoid dinner dates, it is no longer a small problem. I thin everyone has felt self-conscious eating in front of a date or maybe some co-workers at some point or another. After all, there are plenty of embarrasing things like slurping sounds, burps, or food on your teeth, that could potentially happen. If you are feeling self-conscious about eating in public all the time, however, to me that sounds like a possible eating disorder. You don't have to be a full-blown anorexic to have an eating disorder, you know. Every time a person has an unhealthy outlook on food or eating, it is an earmark of a disorder. You should probably go speak to a counselor or therapist about that. If it's not an eating disorder, it could very well be a form of OCD.

I will say, though, that I for one have never understood how eating became a social activity. We certainly don't make an activity out of going to the bathroom or having sex (well, MOST people don't, anyway), so why is eating, which is also a bodily function and basic need, this huge social activity that we actually go to designated public places to do? I've always thought it was weird, but go make an appointment with a therapist anyway.

Answer 3

There could be many reasons you don't like eating in public. Are you shy? Also, if you're chubby, that may not help you. Why don't you go on a diet and exercise? You'll feel better and more confident that way. Go with your boyfriend out to eat, just eat healthy and don't go overboard, and you'll feel better about eating in public. I feel self conscious about eating in public too. I'm not chubby, but I used to have an eating disorder and I'm afraid of it coming back.

Answer 4

I'm the same way. When I was younger I was heavy and my little sister would make boom sounds when I walked and my stepmom called me a moose and yelled at me one time because I came home a few minutes late from a dance she yelled at me and said "you just wanted everyone to see the fat girl dance". This and being heavy made me very uncomfortable eating in front of people. I was ashamed to eat! I'm 33 now and I still feel uncomfortable eating in public but it's getting better. It comes down to accepting yourself and understanding nobody is perfect. Plus, it helps to remember that most people could care less what you are doing or eating, I always remind myself that I'm not noticing others so why would they notice me. One more thing, don't mention to potential dates about this problem it scares them away and they really don't know what to say about it.

Answer 5

Being self-conscious is not terribly unusual, nor is it a horrible thing. It does sound like you were chastised about your eating at some point in the past, and sub-consciously, you are still carrying that baggage with you. It is important to remember that you are a perfectly normal and good person. If you are concerned about your weight (and who isn't?) it is still OK to eat with another person. That is another important thing to remember: you are not eating "in front of" people. You are eating WITH other people. They are eating too. Also, if someone asks you on a date, they like you as you are. They like how you look. And they like you for WHO you are, including whatever imperfections you may have.
Go out. have fun. Eat. You are not being judged. ENJOY!

Answer 6

ld talk to your doctor or a specilist. You are defintaly self-concious, wich can be benificial and harmful. But mostly harmful. It can drive you insane untill you won't even come out of your for fear of critctism. You need to learn how to accept you how you are.

you also sound depressed, in wich case you should make an appoitment with a professional because you could be a danger to yourself. You should talk to a family member that you trust befor something happens that you really did not want to. I am also guessing that there is something that you're not tell us and whatever it is, we cannot help you if we don't know what it is.

Answer 7

This is not normal, you should consider seeking some medical help for this phobia.
People don't generally watch others eat unless you are making a pig of you self.
You shouldn't feel bad about this but with a little therapy you should be able to get this corrected.

Answer 8

maybe you have to do this often and get used to it....i mean you won't make it any better if you continue this way....or you can eat with a big mirror front of you...something...and think that the entire world does this every single day....you have nothing to be embarresed with ;)