Would you say this was a red flag on a date?

It's interesting to see there are two very strong groups of opinion here neither of whom seem to want to see the viewpoint of the other
And there lies the true red flag for this couple.
When neither can compromise on such a small thing the relationship is bound to fail

Your behaviour sounds weirder IMO. Very odd to pull out a sandwich and eat it whilst walking on a date.

I've literally never heard of eating and walking as bad manners? The issue surely is that he asked you to do something and wouldn't take no for an answer which is rude of him because he didn't respect your wishes. I'd perhaps meet a 4th time and see how it goes.

Don't forget her poor manners/standards/upbringing as well. Absolute fucking madness.

I wouldn’t like being told what to do, I’d also feel uncomfortable being watched and waited for, whoever’s right or wrong, it’s a non starter if your irritated by each others actions.

Agree entirely. If I were out with someone and he suggested eating in the street I would never go out with him again. Massive red flag for me!!

Came on to say exactly this - it's quite a common view so perhaps he didn't want to be walking with you while you were eating.

Except she didn’t. OP was already on the date but feeling too full so instead of wasting the food she had it packed up in a doggy bag. Then ate it later whilst walking about. She really is quite a monster isn’t she? 🙄

I think you were a bit weird on the date. Taking leftovers then walking around eating them.
He was likely embarrassed as lots of people do not eat walking around.
Obviously, it is your right to eat where you like. But it was a date and you should have read the signals that he was uncomfortable with this.
I think you are not compatible. People have different views on these things. If this is how it is on date 1 then likely you have very different views on lots of things.

It’s a bit weird saving your lunch and taking it with you on a date. How much later did you eat the sandwich?!
Id run a mile if I was him 😂

Not MN getting distracted and missing point of OPs post 😱.

Agree completely, it was fine for him to ask but to insist she stop was a bit much - like treating her like a child. I highly doubt if he was with a male buddy he’d do the same. Pink flag for me.

I wouldn’t worry too much, he’s probably been put right off you and embarrassed by watching you walking around stuffing your sandwich in your face, so you’re unlikely to see him again. I know I would be put off by such bad manners.

I was always told while growing up that it was rude to eat in the street/eat while walking.
And although we've mellowed in that rule over the years, I'd still find it a bit ill-mannered to see people walking and chowing. Especially something potentially a bit messy, that could easily have bits falling, like a sandwich.
Marching the street and trying to digest something fairly stodgy like that, would also do my stomach no favours.
He probably thought he was being nice, trying to find you somewhere to sit and enjoy your sandwich properly.
It wouldn't jump to red flag from that.

It is probably the way he was brought up, walking and eating isn’t the normal.

I don’t think it’s bad manners at all.

He was probably embarrassed. It’s bad manners to walk around eating and looks chavy. I’d be embarrassed too if I was out with someone who did that.

At least it would be clear then what a lunatic he was

I think he was rude and bossy, I do consider it a red flag that he didn't take "no I'm fine" for an answer.

Flabbergasted at the amount of pearl clutching about eating a sandwich in a park! My mum thought anyone eating while walking was common but a) I grew out of her opinions when I became an adult and b) she also thought anyone wearing red shoes was a "tart"

I wouldn’t want to walk around with someone eating a sandwich. It’s naff. That said, I wouldn’t want to be with someone who tried to control me.

Good lord @Margaretbaxter you are getting a hard time on here.
You did not ask about your manners you asked if it was ok for your date to try to insist that you sit down and the answer to that is obviously no.

For all the pp using language like guzzle, scoff, gob , pushing hot food into their face ( wtf! ) talking with their mouth full, food stuck in teeth ( no proof ) looking around for something to wipe their mouth ( how do you know op didnt have something ) would have said that if @Margaretbaxter was sat down eating .

Yes three or four decades ago it may of seemed uncouth but then there wasn't the abundance of fast food takeaways .
It would also be seen as rude to eat out dinner on our knees but lots of people do that now without a second thought.

It quite clearly states in the OP that they both had food but OP couldn't finish hers

I don’t really get why you went on a date with food if he wasn’t eating and you could only manage half a sandwich

He might be asking the same question, he obviously doesn't like it

Guzzling, chomping, chowing down? Fuck off with this shit, you make it sound like she was ramming it down her throat.

To answer your question OP he was the rude one for not taking no for an answer

OP: AIBU walking and eating when partner said can we sit while you eat

MN: Yes

OP: You're wrong, it's fine to walk along stuffing my face and dropping bits and crumbs.

MN: You're the red flag.