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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for a half slice of cake?

162 replies

GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:26

Ive got disordered eating, sometimes eating something with no low nutritional value (but plenty of pleasure) will start me off on a binge.

I'd done slimming world and lost a lot of weight but am now in the sad position of having put half of it back on.

So im trying a different approach. Using my fitness pal im slowly losing 1 pound a week. Currently 14 down since November.

I bloody love cake. The conception, construction, the aesthetic, and to a lesser degree, the consumption.

Quite often im happy just looking at cakes and have no yearning to eat them, intellectually I know there's better calories out there. I don't feel deprived.

Occasionally I just really really want cake. It's hormonal im sure. So I have some, but want it to be controlled.

I tend to share with very accommodating friends. This will be considered in my calories for the day.

I'm in a lovely cafe on my own and really fancied cake, so I asked for half, and said I was happy to pay full price.

The staff member gave the impression that they thought I was very odd.

Wibu to ask?

OP posts:
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 14/02/2022 11:27

Of course not - they should be happy. Hope you enjoy it!

Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:29

Oh.

To add I HATE food waste, so I asked for half to be served to me, and the offer half to be given to staff as appropriate.

If it had come out on my plate, it would have been a mental struggle, which even it I had won, would have saddened me, because the remains would have been thrown.

OP posts:
Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:29

Carrot and walnut by the way 💕

OP posts:
livingthegoodlife · 14/02/2022 11:29

Most cafes wouldn't have a problem as long as you made it clear you were willing to pay the full price. Or have half boxed to take home to eat tomorrow?

I used to work in a cafe and people often wanted half or trimmed food etc.

Lou98 · 14/02/2022 11:30

I definitely don't think it is weird to ask. They probably don't get it very often but there's nothing wrong with it.

They were perhaps thinking they didn't know what to do with the other half but if I was the staff member as you'd already paid for it I'd happily enjoy it on my break!

bluechameleon · 14/02/2022 11:30

Not unreasonable at all. My favourite cafe offers half slices on the menu, I wish more places did this.

ChrissyPlummer · 14/02/2022 11:31

They may have some rule about staff not being allowed leftovers? Most cafes I’ve been in, they’ve already cut the cakes or buy them pre-portioned. It is an odd request TBH, like asking for “half a portion” of chips.

Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:31

Half slices would be brilliant!

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 14/02/2022 11:32

I find I like eating half portions, often share with family etc

So no not odd, and hardly inconvenient for them as you still pay for the serving they want to serve, and could eat it or sell as a half portion or put out for the birds

SartresSoul · 14/02/2022 11:32

Not unreasonable. The slices are often oversized in cafes anyway so a half slice is actually a regular slice.

Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:33

When I rule the world, I'm going to make it law to offer half slices of cake and chips Wink

OP posts:
PickledOnionSandwich · 14/02/2022 11:34

YABU. Who were they going to give the other half to? Just eat half and leave the rest Hmm

XiCi · 14/02/2022 11:35

I remember taking dd out to a lovely cake shop as a treat when she was little. She couldnt make her mind up so asked for half and half of 2 different cakes Grin. They quite happily indulged her.

I dont see anything wrong in asking for a smaller piece though. Pieces seem to be huuuge these days and I'm a greedy cow

Hunderland · 14/02/2022 11:35

YABU purely on your choice of cake Wink

Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:35

@livingthegoodlife

Most cafes wouldn't have a problem as long as you made it clear you were willing to pay the full price. Or have half boxed to take home to eat tomorrow?

I used to work in a cafe and people often wanted half or trimmed food etc.

Boxing it up is a good plan, but I'm out all day bimbling in a Nice Place so don't want to carry it and then later at a place where they check your bags, so I think a smushed up cake may get an eyebrow response from ShowSec Grin
OP posts:
mistermagpie · 14/02/2022 11:35

I think it's fine, I'm like you OP and have a bit of a problem with sugar. Sometimes I can set myself off on a binge if I don't keep myself under control. Portion sizes in cafes and restaurants are usually huge but I will eat the whole thing if it's in front of me, even if I feel a bit sick afterwards.

A half slice is a good idea, and so is half a portion of chips. I don't see any issue at all especially if you are willing to pay for the full slice, who would mind that?!

Lou98 · 14/02/2022 11:36

@PickledOnionSandwich

YABU. Who were they going to give the other half to? Just eat half and leave the rest Hmm

Did you read the OP?
"Just eat half and leave half" isn't easy or helpful when you have an eating disorder

Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:37

@PickledOnionSandwich

YABU. Who were they going to give the other half to? Just eat half and leave the rest Hmm
I offered it to the staff.

Halved before it was served to me, so no contamination issues.

OP posts:
IJoinedJustForThisThread · 14/02/2022 11:37

@Hunderland

YABU purely on your choice of cake Wink
Quite right. It should be coffee and walnut.
LaurieFairyCake · 14/02/2022 11:38

I always share or ask for half or take half home

I HATE food waste Angry

Sunnysidegold · 14/02/2022 11:38

Op has explained why she didn't want to have the full slice on her plate @PickledOnionSandwich!

I find cake slices are huge in cafes now. I don't think you were unreasonable at all to ask.

Original poster
GretaGip · 14/02/2022 11:38

@Hunderland

YABU purely on your choice of cake Wink
Oh dear God it was so hard 😭
To ask for a half slice of cake?
OP posts:
Thethreecs · 14/02/2022 11:38

Once you're paying for full slice I wouldn't give it any more thought about what they think. They'll probably be delighted to have the other half themselves. You should come live in Ireland, the cake portions are tiny here. 😂

DiddyHeck · 14/02/2022 11:38

@ChrissyPlummer

They may have some rule about staff not being allowed leftovers? Most cafes I’ve been in, they’ve already cut the cakes or buy them pre-portioned. It is an odd request TBH, like asking for “half a portion” of chips.
How is that odd? You're just asking them to cut it in half and charge you full price. If they have some sort of weird, pretty unheard of rule about staff not being allowed leftovers, they'll just bin it won't they?
grapewine · 14/02/2022 11:39

@GretaGip

When I rule the world, I'm going to make it law to offer half slices of cake and chips Wink
Yes, please!

YANBU