Are they staring at me??

[Singer82]

I was just curious if anyone else has experienced people staring at you because you are not eating the bread with a sandwich you ordered or the crust of your pizza?? There are times when I go out to eat with family and friends and we go to a pizza place or a sandwich shop. I get so tired of salads that I will go ahead and eat the pizza, but will only eat the toppings and leave the crust or I will get a sandwich and not eat the bread. I have experienced people staring at me like I was crazy! At first, I thouht maybe I was just paranoid, but I actually have had people ask me if something was wrong with my food and one guy asked if I was allergic to bread! I know they are just curious, because I'm sure it does look strange when I order a Subway sandwich and just eat what's inside! Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this!

[Kisal]

I was just curious if anyone else has experienced people staring at you because you are not eating the bread with a sandwich you ordered or the crust of your pizza?? There are times when I go out to eat with family and friends and we go to a pizza place or a sandwich shop. I get so tired of salads that I will go ahead and eat the pizza, but will only eat the toppings and leave the crust or I will get a sandwich and not eat the bread. I have experienced people staring at me like I was crazy! At first, I thouht maybe I was just paranoid, but I actually have had people ask me if something was wrong with my food and one guy asked if I was allergic to bread! I know they are just curious, because I'm sure it does look strange when I order a Subway sandwich and just eat what's inside! Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this!I have not had that experience. If I had, I would simply have smiled and said that I no longer care to eat grain products, because I feel they aren't healthy for me.

I'm an old lady, so I can probably get away with this kind of stuff more easily than someone who is young, but if people get pushy with me about how I eat, I won't hesitate to point out that it is rude to comment on what others choose to eat. I also will tell them to mind what's on their own plates and leave me alone. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[pennink]

Low carbers should start staring at people who are actually EATING the stuff you remove!

:lol:

[KvonM]

the worst i've had to deal with was having to give in-depth explanations when ordering food, and then still having them screw stuff up. i'm with kisal... i consider it HIGHLY rude to make any comment whatsoever about someone else's food. if anyone did get past my "don't f*** with me" demeanor at a restaurant and had the severe lack of manners to comment, i'd take it as license to rip them up one side and down the other.

[LessLiz]

My first instinct is to do exactly what Kvon wants to do. I don't do it, but I have several cherished fantasies in which I've done just that. :D

On the rare occasions someone has commented I've had great success in offering to put the leavings on their plate. Talk about shock and awe -- people think you are from another world or just flipping nuts. Especially when you insist on giving it to them: "No, really, I hate to waste food, here why don't you take it." Then they leave you alone.

For a totally satisfying experience it is best to follow this demonstration of generosity in the face of rudeness by muttering "asswipe!" under your breath at the end.

[missvluv]

I've gone to our local pizza buffet and scarfed down 5 or 6 slices of just topping only. I just say "sorry" and smile when they come take the plates of naked pizza dough away. They are getting their money, so in reality who are they to care what we do to the food right?

[Bexicon]

I'd wonder why you like to waste your money buying food you don't eat but I don't stare. :lol: You can buy a salad -- with meat in it -- at Subway and various other salads at pretty much every fast food joint I can think of.

Edited because I'm having coherence problems today :lol:

[girlbug2]

I do that kind of thing all the time. Last week the family went to McD's and I got an Angus burger. Of course I didn't bother to ask for it sans bun because I didn't want to deal with the incredulous looks I'd get and possible questions. I prefer not to talk about the diet unless it's a person who is genuinely interested due to a desire to change their own WOE.

So when we all sat down I just peeled back the bun from the inside like peeling a banana and kept peeling it back as I ate. It is a technique that takes some practice but it's less messy than eating a patty with one's hands.

I have also just picked toppings off of the pizza slice.

Nobody ever seems to notice except for my own family. My dh learned long ago not to comment, he just might roll his eyes. What do I care, let the whole world roll their eyes, I'm getting skinnier this way!

[costello22]

I do that kind of thing all the time. Last week the family went to McD's and I got an Angus burger. Of course I didn't bother to ask for it sans bun because I didn't want to deal with the incredulous looks I'd get and possible questions.

I regularly eat at fast food places and ask for my burger without the bun. Most places are really good about it. Sometimes there's a brief period of confusion, but usually it goes pretty smoothly. I've never had anyone ask me why I didn't want the bun.

I don't like to remove the bun myself because it takes a lot of the mayonnaise with it. :D Plus sometimes I get a little bit of extra veggies, if I ask them to leave the bun off.

There's also a part of me that hates waste, so I don't want to ask for something and throw it away.

They'll give you a knife and fork, so you don't have to eat with your fingers. The only downside is you pretty much can't eat it in the car.

To the OP: I don't notice if people stare at me. I've never been real aware of how strangers are reacting to me (sometimes a good thing, sometimes not), and the older I get the more I realize how little time other people spend thinking about me.

There's a thing called the 18/40/60 rule: When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you. When you’re 40 you don't give a damn what others think. When you’re 60 you realize that nobody’s been thinking about you at all. They’re worrying about themselves.

[Samantha22]

after a while, you won't pay attention to it.
people still give me funny looks after 4 years, i just dont care anymore.

its funny because dh and i were eating at hardees the other day for dinner and this very large (400+ pound) lady and her friend were eating across from us. i had my usual....a LC burger and a salad on the side instead of fries.
The lady was staring at me the entire time i ate....meanwhile she has two huge frisco burgers, a large fry and a shake.
finally she said to her friend "that girls smart, she's not eating the bread"
and she looks up at me and said "wow, thats pretty smart, you're not eating the bread"....and she said to her friend "ugh...i can't finish this sandwich" and threw her entire tray away.

just goes to show that some times people only make comments because they're either jealous, or unhappy about the fact that they dont have enough willpower or self control to make better decisions for themself.

[LuckyPenny]

Low carbers should start staring at people who are actually EATING the stuff you remove!

:lol:
I actually do find myself staring at others as they scarf down all the carbs I now know add to the spare tire around their waist. I well remember those days when I did the same thing blissfully unaware of the consequences. I have friends who always ask for sandwiches sans bun because of grain or yeast allergies, I don't anymore because I asked for a sandwich without the bread one time and they gave me a cut down version, without sauce and missing a bunch of lettuce. Not very satisfying.

[Jael]

I just order my sandwiches without bread and I never get a second look. I order a burger with no bun at least once a week. When I order entrees, I say "hold the starch and double the veggies" and the servers don't bat an eyelash. So no, I can't say I've had a problem.

[Bru88]

I saw an another thread the other day. The person just tells the server, they are diabetic and have food allergies. They said that just totally takes the weird looks and questions away. Also it seemed they took it much more seriously. Hope it helps if you get into a weird situation, I thought it was great...Bru

[joesfolks]

Tell them you are sending it to starving kids in China... no, wait, don't. We don't need to poison them.

[RCo]

If more people use the "I am diabetic" or "have allergies" excuse, then those of us that actually say it because it is true, might find that it starts getting easier to get served our uncommon food orders.

That said, floating about in a daze wondering why people don't mind their own business is an option too.

[GypsyClare]

I guess I'm another one who just doesn't notice whether other people are watching...even when I was 18 I didn't! :lol:

OTOH, I get overcome with embarrassment if I have to order anything special....so I just order normally and pick things apart after. I've never noticed anyone paying the slightest attention to it, but then again, I'm not too observant! :daze:

[Singer82]

I'd wonder why you like to waste your money buying food you don't eat but I don't stare. :lol: You can buy a salad -- with meat in it -- at Subway and various other salads at pretty much every fast food joint I can think of.

Edited because I'm having coherence problems today :lol:

That's what I'm saying. Sometimes you just get sick of eating salads. And our Subway at school doesn't offer salads, just the sandwiches. So I would rather get a slice of pizza (more like 3 or 4, lol) at the pizza place and just eat the topping. Something different than "just a salad" so I don't get bored and fall of the wagon.

[Singer82]

I have kind of a funny story that happened to me a couple of days ago. My friend wanted me to go to Taco Bell with her. I ended up ordering a taco salad, and just figured I would not eat the shell. We sat down and started eating and noticed that there was a table of about 7 or 8 people, about half men and half women, very nicely dressed, and they had LITERALLY ordered one of everything. We couldn't figure out what they were doing. We then noticed that they would eat a little bit and the get on their cell phones and say "We need to raise this price to...." or "We need to lower this price to..." We finally realized they were from the corporate office. As I was leaving and throwing away my trash (my shell), one of the men asked me if my salad tasted alright. I said "Oh yes, it was great" not thinking twice about it. Then he said, "Well, I just noticed that you didn't eat your shell." I said, "Oh, well I try to eat low-carb." Then, in unison, they all let out a big "OHHHHHHHHH!!!" I then suggested having more low-carb options on their menu, and one of them wrote that down and thouht that might be a good idea! I thought it was hilarious!! So, we might have some low-carb options coming up at Taco Bell!

[costello22]

I love Taco Bell's taco salad - but I always ask them to leave off the shell and add jalapenos!

But now you've reminded me of one of my pet peeves - the spork. Why does Taco Bell think people can eat a salad with what is essentially a spoon with a couple of little points at the tip? I have to take my own fork to Taco Bell with me. Grrrr!!! I'd have loved to have had the ears of a bunch of Taco Bell folks; I'd fill those ears with spork complaints!

ETA: Someone actually has a web page devoted to Taco Bell's spork: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~jm703496/spork/anatomy.html

[Singer82]

I love Taco Bell's taco salad - but I always ask them to leave off the shell and add jalapenos!

But now you've reminded me of one of my pet peeves - the spork. Why does Taco Bell think people can eat a salad with what is essentially a spoon with a couple of little points at the tip? I have to take my own fork to Taco Bell with me. Grrrr!!! I'd have loved to have had the ears of a bunch of Taco Bell folks; I'd fill those ears with spork complaints!

ETA: Someone actually has a web page devoted to Taco Bell's spork: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~jm703496/spork/anatomy.html


THIS IS SOOOOO TRUE!!! I hate the sporks!! They could at least give the option of either a spork or a real fork!

[Danieloser]

I guess I don't cherish privacy as much as some others do. If someone is staring at me, as long as they don't look like they want to have my head mounted on their wall, I'll just ignore it. I would relish if someone were to come up to me and ask me why I wasn't eating the bun or was just eating the inside of a subway sandwich. I would be happy to tell them that I've lost 40 lbs on Atkins.

Though I always get the "That diet is really bad for you." I always say, "Actually, my cholesterol is down since I started the diet, I feel better and my doctor says I'm relatively healthy. It would be worse if I still weighed 40 lbs more than I do."

That usually stills their questioning. I've always been an open book. I have nothing to hide and I love to show other people by my example...I don't push my opinion on others, I only answer questions if asked. I love the opportunity to answer questions...

[tiffie26]

lol yes yes and yes
but who cares
i have a gluten/flour allergy and cannot eat it,
and people like to stare , stare back, thinking they are getting the carbs and you are the smart one

[arob]

LOL. All I Can think of when I think about sporks is elementary school. I HATED eating soup with them!!!! LOL

[addict1000]

My daughter (who is wonderful little reader)...came across the word runcible spoon...We had to look it up to see what it was...it was a spork :lol:

To the OP:

Every single fit/thin person I know is particular about what they eat. They may have arrived at their destination a bit differently than low carb...but honestly they have all kinds of noticible habits if you pay attention. It is only the overweight people I know that will eat anything put in front of them....

I guess it is just a minor price to pay for being on the road to fit/trim/healthy....people will begin to notice you and your habits more and more.

[suzanneyea]

I am really skinny and eat a lot, so I do tend to attract attention at restaurants, especially at all you can eat buffet. I am so used to people asking me how I can eat so much and stay so slim, that is really does not bother me anymore. I just tell them "Atkins" and keep moving. They have their answer and they can follow up if they so desire.

[Mousesmom]

I get overcome with embarrassment if I have to order anything special....so I just order normally and pick things apart after. I've never noticed anyone paying the slightest attention to it, but then again, I'm not too observant! :daze:

I get to the point where I get tired of ordering "special" so I rarely go to new places. I have a few places where I can either order right off the menu or the staff knows me and my needs.

I won't go out for a meal with any of my family because they give me a hard time about special ordering. Anyone who knows me knows that long sad stroy.......

With SO's family, they know I have a special WOL but rarely make anything special for me (as in without sauce, not breaded, hold the potato and pass the veggies - and NO corn and peas are NOT veggies to me!!) so I end up starving most of the time. I try to eat before I go and then get a hard time about eating like a bird (birds eat LC, right?).

If any stranger actually dared to be so incredibly rude to stare I'd take a strip off them several miles wide. I might not be "old" (I'm 41) but I have old fashioned good manners. Staring under any circumstances is rude. Period!

Julie