I have a very hard time eating in front of anyone that I'm not very close to. I feel like everyone is watching "the fat girl" eat, seeing what I put on my plate, waiting for some of it to fall... I've been eating lunch here at my newish job with a bunch of guys, and the first few times I actually ate my lunch before we all sat down, and just sat and drank a soda while they ate. I'm working past that with these guys, although messy food is still a problem for me. I had drumsticks for lunch today, for example, and was soooo tempted to eat them before everyone got together, but refrained... but instead of just picking them up and eating them, I picked at them with my fingers. One of the guys commented, and I simply said, "I have a problem eating messy food in front of people" and they accepted that. In fact, one of them mentioned that he was being super careful eating tacos in front of me, which made me laugh... and feel better.

This office is a social group, though, and seems to eat all together once every other week or so, so eating in front of people is an issue that I need to learn to deal with somehow.

Anyone else feel like this?

I think this applies to a lot of people, it's human nature not to want to embarrass ourselves. When I eat out or am in front on someone while eating I tend to stick to a something that needs a knife and fork - I'll even cut up pizza. I'd never dream of eating spaghetti or tacos in front of anyone other than my DH. You're not alone.

Vikki