How to deal with people staring while I'm eating? ?

[Anonymous]

Recently I've caught a lot of people continuously looking at me while I'm eating when I'm in public. It makes me self conscious and lose my focus and enthusiasm for my food. I used to struggle with eating in front of others when I was a young teen, and got over it somehow by watching mukbangs lmao. I don't know why but that old struggle is kind of coming back now at 23 years old. Even last night, I was over at a family friend's house and she had treats on the table and I was eating chocolate while my parents and she were talking and every time I glanced up, her son would just be staring. And I got so awkward that I stopped eating. I don't want to live a life where I am so controlled by others' behavior around me but I don't know how to get over this once and for all.

[Oliverlogan263]

Aye that does suck when people be staring all weird while you're just trying to enjoy your food. Here's some things you can try:

- Own it! Stare right back at them until they feel awkward and look away. Assert your dominance lol.

- Pop in some headphones or turn on a video so it seems like you don't even notice them watching. Makes you less self-conscious.

- Start talking with your mouth full real obnoxious-like. Guarantee they'll stop staring real quick cause it's grossing them out!

- Only eat with really close friends so you don't worry what other people think. Bonus if you all get chipotle burritos and make a mess together.

- Take tiny, dainty little bites like a bird. Pretend you're on a reality show being judged for table manners. Might weird them out enough to stop!

- Use it as motivation to get yoked. Stare them down while you flex after every bite to establish you're not one to mess with.

Hope some of those help! Don't even sweat what others think - just own who you are. You keep being you and eating however makes you happy, a'ight?

[Asker]

Hahah thank you sm for such a detailed and thorough response!! I will def be keeping these in mind and be mentally going through them the next time I’m in a situation like this!! 😄😄

[Oliverlogan263]

No problem luv! Yeah practice those mental comebacks and don't be afraid to actually use them if needed. Most people will get embarrassed and stop staring real quick once you call them out, even in a joking way.

And remember, confidence is key - fake it till you make it if you have to. Just rock out to some good tunes in your head and act like nobody else even exists. Then they got no power over you, feel me?

You gotta eat to live, so don't deprive yourself just cuz some weirdo wants to mentally undress you or whatever they be thinking when they stare like that. You do you and bon appetit!

Let me know if the headphones or joking back works next time. I'm always around if you need more advice on dealing with haters tryna throw you off your game. Now go feast luv!

[LiamJHayden]

1. Stare back with a focus just above the other person's eyes. It gives a sense that you are looking through the person and is very disconcerting to people.
2. Pick up your phone and make it look like you are calling 911 / Emergency.
3. Make believe you are picking your nose.

[Asker]

Haha thanks for your well-thought out advice! I especially like the last one

[rosemilk]

just kindly remove yourself from the situation, or stare back, or ask what they are staring at? they will likely get embarrassed and never look at you again

[Asker]

Thanks for your thoughtful response!

[rosemilk]

of course!

[GregorSamsa]

Kid's thought, "Wow, I would like to melt that chocolate on her tits and lick it off."

[Asker]

Urm well he’s 25, he was home for the holidays

[GregorSamsa]

Yeah, that's definitely what was going through his mind then, not judging you for eating a piece of chocolate.

[Danny_dan92]

Throw food at them

[Asker]

Lol I am actually tempted to try that

[Danny_dan92]

Or talk to them like they’re a dog. That’s what dogs do at the table

[Asker]

Well I talk to dogs like they’re babies so I don't know if that will really do anything haha

[Danny_dan92]

Exactly… they’re grown adults.

[Asker]

Oh yeah true 😂

[Danny_dan92]

Affirm

[Asker]

Also I just wanted to say that you probably have long forgotten by now, but I remember you from a post that I made a couple years ago about liking a Starbucks barista guy that I worked with and you replied to it , and this insane woman that was like obsessed with you kept commenting crazy stuff on your thread.. it was so bizarre to me that it’s become like a core memory associated with this site now 😂is she still bothering you?

[Danny_dan92]

There’s only two girls I can think of that fit this criteria.

One of which we hashed it out.

The other I did everything in my power to get her account removed

[Asker]

Okay 👍 sounds like it’s been resolved then 😄

[Danny_dan92]

Definitely. Everything worked out