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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To really dislike people standing up to eat when there are seating options available?

44 replies

00100001 · 15/08/2022 21:41

I'm probably being U.

But it's REALLY ANNOYING when people stand around eating a sandwich or lean against counters with a bowl of cereal in their hand when there's a perfectly good seating option available.

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winterlilies · 15/08/2022 21:57

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luxxlisbon · 15/08/2022 21:59

Literally no idea why it bothers you how other people eat.

I don’t mind standing to eat breakfast or lunch. I feel sluggish sitting down for large portions of the day so stand when I can.

SpinCityBlues · 15/08/2022 22:01

Does that include if they have a bad back or other issue?

Nutrigrainygoodness · 15/08/2022 22:02

I do this 🙋 but I don't know why.
I was at a bbq at a friends last week and stood most of the night including to eat.
I stand all day in my job. I think I'll seize up if i sit for too long 😂

Spinasaurus · 15/08/2022 22:05

I can't get mad about standing to eat something quickly.

I get furious with my DH who grew up in an uncivilised home that did not have a dining table for eating a large dinner that needs a knife and fork off his lap on the sofa.

Ragwort · 15/08/2022 22:07

I agree - although not sure why really but it just really irritates me. I work in a very small charity shop, most volunteers finish before lunch or come in after lunch but a couple bring in their lunch and just stand up to eat dropping crumbs over the work space I just find it really off putting and slovenly. As they are volunteers I have to be very tactful, I always point out that a chair is available but they just don't seem to mind.

00100001 · 15/08/2022 22:09

SpinCityBlues · 15/08/2022 22:01

Does that include if they have a bad back or other issue?

I wouldn't necessarily know if they

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00100001 · 15/08/2022 22:09

Had a bad back.

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SpinCityBlues · 15/08/2022 22:10

Ragwort · 15/08/2022 22:07

I agree - although not sure why really but it just really irritates me. I work in a very small charity shop, most volunteers finish before lunch or come in after lunch but a couple bring in their lunch and just stand up to eat dropping crumbs over the work space I just find it really off putting and slovenly. As they are volunteers I have to be very tactful, I always point out that a chair is available but they just don't seem to mind.

It irritates you because they drop crumbs everywhere. It's not that they're standing up - it's that they are making a mess. It would be enirely reasonable to tell them to stop making a mess on the workspace.

HighlandPony · 16/08/2022 02:45

I’m a standy up person. I rarely sit. I even pace when I’m on the phone. It’s unreasonable. Just as it would be for me to query why people choose to sit a lot

GeorgiaGirl52 · 16/08/2022 06:16

I stand if I am eating just one item or holding a drink. I eat cereal from a large mug because it is easier to hold with a handle. The reason is that my knees are so lacking in cartilage that they lock when I sit down. Standing up is painful and I have to have something to lean on when I do. Naturally I would sit down for a meal, but would need someone to help me stand again afterward and the pain can bring tears to my eyes.
Maybe try not to be so judgmental?

IceStationZebra · 16/08/2022 06:19

I stand if it’s something quick because I’m prone to laziness, so if I sit down there’s a good chance I’ll stay down for half an hour scrolling my phone, rather than immediately putting my plate in the dishwasher and continuing to get stuff done.

MintJulia · 16/08/2022 06:42

I prefer to sit when I eat but really can't get excited about what others do.

Unless I'd cooked a proper meal and then I'd expect us all to sit and eat together.

KatherineJaneway · 16/08/2022 06:43

Is this in public or at home?

CulturePigeon · 16/08/2022 08:07

Yes, sometimes there is something that puts you on edge about people eating standing up when they could sit. It's just...slightly stressful, although I can't put my finger on why.

But people being forced to do it takes it to another level...

I worked in a school which had gone from 4-form entry to 8-form entry. It was on a small, crowded site and the whole thing seemed to have been badly planned and implemented.

Students and staff had to eat their lunch (outdoors, in all weathers) out of cardboard boxes while walking around the central courtyard (it was a secondary, so perhaps 'playground' is the wrong word). It looked awful. I felt sorry for all of them, and it was particularly undignified for the staff.

The French have always thought the English uncivilised for the way we fail to prioritise meals as being important to well-being and quality of life, and I really saw this point of view. It just looked uncivilised - that's the only way I can describe it. They all just shovelled their food in using their fingers as fast as possible and then chucked the box away, sometimes in a bin, often not.

A really gross 'feeding time at the zoo' vibe which I'm sure taught the kids a really negative lesson on many levels.

Hesleepswiththefishes · 16/08/2022 08:10

Thinking about it is a family of 5 there are 2 who regularly do this at breakfast/lunch when we don’t eat together, I don’t know why and I suspect if I asked them they wouldn’t either 😵‍💫

FallOutPloy · 16/08/2022 08:11

I always stand at the counter to eat breakfast, because I know that if I sit down, I won't get up again!

People wandering crumbs all around my house would irritate me though.

onlythreenow · 16/08/2022 08:23

What is with all these threads today with people being irritated by things that have nothing to do with them. I couldn't care less how people eat - they can stand on their heads if they want!

CulturePigeon · 16/08/2022 08:57

onlythreenow · Today 08:23
What is with all these threads today with people being irritated by things that have nothing to do with them. I couldn't care less how people eat - they can stand on their heads if they want!

Onlythreenow - I think you may be taking this a bit too seriously! It's just an interesting discussion point. Some of the best conversations I've had have been with people venting and trying to rationalise their irritation. No-one is suggesting standing up to eat should be subject to fines or anything.

00100001 · 16/08/2022 12:40

onlythreenow · 16/08/2022 08:23

What is with all these threads today with people being irritated by things that have nothing to do with them. I couldn't care less how people eat - they can stand on their heads if they want!

Oh, I'm sorry, next time I'll be sure to check with you to see if I'm allowed to post something on a public forum...

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00100001 · 16/08/2022 12:41

KatherineJaneway · 16/08/2022 06:43

Is this in public or at home?

Anywhere tbh

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purplecorkheart · 16/08/2022 13:00

People do this all the time in the kitchen where I work. As long as they are not blocking shelves, fridge, microwave or sink I really do not care. The chairs are very low and not all that comfortable so many find it easier to stand.

balalake · 16/08/2022 13:02

Judging by some people's poor hygiene, I don't blame those who choose not to sit on shared chairs.

LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit · 16/08/2022 13:02

Do you mean when you're also eating at the same time? If so, YANBU. I get stressed by this. 😅

00100001 · 16/08/2022 13:04

LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit · 16/08/2022 13:02

Do you mean when you're also eating at the same time? If so, YANBU. I get stressed by this. 😅

It's mildly annoying when I'm not eating.

But if I'm sitting down whilst they're standing, it's a bit worse 😬

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