Eating with people who don't enjoy food

I took my son and his new girlfriend out for a meal. She ordered then didn't eat any of it. It was a very popular, always booked up restaurant, so a bit embarrassing sending back a whole plate of untouched food. I found out later that her diet consisted of several bottles of cola a day and a few bags of crisps.

Take an emergency supply of protein bars or biscuits with you.

I'm afraid fast eaters would put me off my food, depending on their table manners. If they were 'gobbling' the food down, talking at the same time and generally looking pretty gross then I would probably leave half my plate because it makes me feel rather nauseous seeing that. Even more so if they are fat as well. I think I'd rather eat with the picky type so long as I had enough food on my plate.

Might only work if one always dabbed a little vinegar behind one's ears as one's signature scent, so as not to be detected, Might only work if one always dabbed a little vinegar behind one's ears as one's signature scent, so as not to be detected Dahling

This happened to me last year when I spent a night with a recently bereaved friend whose husband had always done all the cooking.
I took some gf bread and biscuits because I didn’t want my coeliac’s diet to inconvenience her but didn’t realise that apart from dinner of boiled chicken and rice, that’s all I’d have to eat. 😂

The next morning I was offered the leftovers for breakfast!

MissAdventure

I'd have gone for a nice stroll - to the nearest chippy!

Might only work if one always dabbed a little vinegar behind one's ears as one's signature scent, so as not to be detected Dahling

Astitchintime I was at a hotel type place miles from anywhere and it was catered. So there was no choice and a long taxi to civilisation

My DH, his sister and my MIL were the fastest eaters known to man - they should’ve had racing colours on their knives and forks! You could say they ate to live, had asbestos mouths, but seemed oblivious to any taste or texture. I used to leave half my meal untouched, as I was always very self-conscious of holding them back, as they’d already picked their puddings! Years later going out with DH, I’d ask him to eat slower, but he wanted his food like lava! He’d ask if I didn’t like my choice, should I ask him to help me eat it. I’d say it was fine, delicious even, but that he’d wolfed his down at a ridiculous speed!
Luckily DD2 who I eat with quite a lot, is a very slow eater, enjoys every mouthful too.

All her life my poor mum had problems with food and dreaded eating out particularly with non family. She was told she had IBS and that was it. There were many embarrassing situations. She is long gone now but recent events have shown we have Coeliac disease in the family. Mum always thought a nice slice of bread and butter was the safest thing to have, if only we had all known, me included.
Your friends may have health reasons they do t like to mention for not being able to stuff themselves

I'd have gone for a nice stroll - to the nearest chippy!

Do we take it that you were staying with them…….or had you all gone out for a meal? Cannot understand why you were famished all weekend, surely their low appetite shouldn’t stop you enjoying your food.

I have friends who say one of their friends is a nightmare to eat with when they organise a meet up involving food somewhere (anywhere!). She is super picky, criticises a lot, pushes food around her plate with her fork only taking ‘bird bites’ then leaves most of what she has (finally) ordered. They now try to arrange seeing her after lunch for a couple of hours, drinks but no food ….