To not want to share food

[Whohashiddenthebiscuits]

Just that really! If anyone has seen the Gavin and Stacey episode where they are ordering a takeaway and James Corden goes off on a rant about not wanting to share his order, I completely got that!

The last two Saturdays, I’ve seen friends.I’m middle aged, a pescatarian and really fussy about food. I’ve tried a lot over the years and know what I like and what I don’t. I’ve just got to the point where I just want to eat food I know I actually like. I know it’s good to try new things and I have for many years.. but Ive got to the point I just want to eat what I want to eat.

Last Saturday we were over friends and they ordered a Chinese (we split the bill). DH and our friends were discussing ordering a whole load of stuff and I just asked if I could have 2 dishes instead to myself I liked. Last night out at a Thai with friends, same scenario. All friends were really nice about it.. but I felt like the request was being a bit petulant and odd (even though I expressed it both times nicely!) not to want to share my food!

Anyone else feel the same way or is it really a bit anti social?!

JOEY DOESN'T SHARE FOOD!

I'm confused, did you have to tell them you wouldn't give them some of yours, or do you just feel awkward ordering your own? I don't really like to share when I've requested something specifically, but will do.

I hate the idea of sharing food.
I'm ordering what I want because I like it or want to try it and no you can't have some.

YANBU!

I do not I will not ever share food. I order what I want for a reason.

Agree with Smithy and Nessa 100%
Back of my food.

I hate sharing food. You're not alone.

I think its fine as long as you pay your way and don't nick any of theirs!

I saw the title and thought wow Smithy is on mn! I dont mind if its something designed for sharing, but I want my food.

It depends on the type of food and the set up. Some food is meant to be shared, in which case I would find it very irritating you being awkward. Others not so much, in which case it would be fine not to share.

I have 3 friends and my DP that I would share food with, other than that, no way.
YANBU OP.

No it's fine. I am funny around FOOD TOO AND HAVE AN Acquired taste. What I hate is people dipping into my plate when I eat, I was out friends recently and mates gf stuck her fork she'd eaten with into my cheesecake without my permission. I didn't say anything but was secretly yukkk.
I would only share forks/food with an intimidate partner. I even stopped eating burgers in fast food places because they don't wear gloves. It's a psychological thing, I CAN NEVER EAT SANDWICHES OTHERS HAVE MADE KNOWING THEIR HANDS HAVE Being all over it.

Reminds me of a group of colleagues I worked with who'd share Meals and be double dipping etc. It made me sqiurm.

I don’t really mind sharing food but I totally get why you don’t want to. Should certainly not be mandatory.

You need to be with the right people I think. Group of female friends, all of whom know each other well and like most things - totally fine.

Throw in a certain type of person / people (usually male), and it all goes wrong. Want to take loads of what you’ve ordered whilst keeping theirs to themselves, huge ladle fulls of food going on their plate right at the start, all that jazz. Can see them factoring in “oh she won’t eat much, we can get less and I’ll help myself to hers”…

Double dipping and really ladling food on a dip, with that Mmmmm face on, mouth open wide, are both 🤢

I'm going out for Japanese small plates. There was talk of ordering loads and sharing. I've looked at the menu and will be ordering my food.
I'm not super fussy but if I'm handing over my own money I want to eat what I'd actually like.

I love sharing plates, tapas, meze, Chinese or Indian food with a group of like-minded easy-going diners. The minute the fussy eaters get involved, it becomes too much admin and stress.

I don’t mind sharing with DP or one other person. However, bigger group than that is a massive pain - who’s had what, have I had too much, have they had too much, who’s having the random last one of something.

DP also has an awful habit of not ordering a dessert but then digging into mine. Just bloody order something!

@MasterBeth

I love sharing plates, tapas, meze, Chinese or Indian food with a group of like-minded easy-going diners. The minute the fussy eaters get involved, it becomes too much admin and stress.

This exactly. Whilst it's fine for OP not to want to share good, it may reduce the number of people who want to eat with her.

Hate sharing food you are completely right !

I hate it when people don't want to order a portion of dessert and then say "I will just have a bit of yours". I say "No you won't. I'm ordering it because I really want to eat it. You order your own ".

@GreenWheat “ It depends on the type of food and the set up. Some food is meant to be shared, in which case I would find it very irritating you being awkward. ”

Totally agree - there are some occasions (tapas, buffets, parties etc) where everyone sharing food is mandatory and it would be really rude to hog one particular dish as ‘yours’. I wouldn’t go out and buy a cake and not expect to share it with the family either. So I’m not saying never sharing. But the last two weekends I’ve felt pretty Smithy in situations where everyone else was in the mood for ordering loads of stuff, I felt like I was being a bit awkward & un team spirited by saying ‘er, do you mind if I don’t as I know what I want and I just want to eat that?’. They’re all really good friends & were absolutely fine about it and we equally split the bill (I actually had less but so what).

I lived in Greece for a while Going out to eat in Greece was a great way to be er overeat. The typical thing is to order lots of plates of food that arrive to table as and when they are ready. And everyone shares. If you are slow off the mark you miss out! The idea of having a whole plate of something to yourself is quite alien.

I don't like mixing meats. If I feel like lamb or chicken, I don't want a small portion and having to eat something I don't want, or fill up on rice. It isn't fussy eating to want a proper portion of what you fancy.

• a great way to never over eat

I will even have my own stuff at an Ethiopian where the whole concept is that you all share from one big plate (probably not in Covid times).

Well, it completely depends. If you're going out for a Chinese or Thai or Japanese or Indian meal, or mezze or tapas, of course it can seem strange and antisocial not to share food because that's how those cuisines are generally eaten. If you're going to a steakhouse or a brasserie or a pizzeria, then it would be strange to be expected to share.

I very seldom want to share food. I hate all spices and processed meats. As I am so fussy, I just want what I ordered, thanks!