To think slow eaters should try to eat faster?

[Soffana]

Well, not the world's most pressing issue but here it goes...

AIBU to think slow eaters should try to eat in a pace that suits the company?

For example at work we are a group of colleagues who eat together at lunch (school's lunch room so not a very pleasant environment). Some of us eat a lot and quite fast, some a bit slower and of course that is fine. I would say we eat, talk and finish within 15-20 minutes.

We now have a new colleague who naturally is a part of our team. She is super slow. She takes the tiniest portion and picks in it forever. She takes one bite and then put the cutlery down and talks. When we are all finished and waiting for her she doesn't really eat, just engaging in the conversation with half her food left. Then taking a small bite, putting fork down and talk. We all have to wait for her and she doesn't seem to care or try to speed up.

What do you all think? Of course we can't do anything, we are not going to tell her but AIBU that she could read the room?

Not true! Even if this is what you have observed in your circle of friends I can assure you it is not widely the case.

No doubt some people take a long time because of talking. But genuinely slow eaters are not slow for this reason. I have always been a slow eater, I physically cannot eat any faster and it has nothing to do with talking, faffing about or picking at my food. I doubt whether I have dominated a conversation in my life.

But if I had to choose between the two extremes I would rather be slow than fast anyway. For one thing it is healthier and for another I think it is such a shame when people gobble their food really fast as if they view it just as fuel and don't give themselves time to appreciate what it actually tastes like.

OP are you sure you are not being secretly filmed for a TV drama during your lunch break? Perhaps your new colleague is the star? This way of (none) eating seems to be the norm in many many TV programs. A lovely freshly cooked breakfast, lunch or dinner is placed on the table. It’s just ignored while the characters rabbit on about something. It makes me want to scream EAT UP! Then discuss whatever!

Eating slowly means you are less likely to overeat. YABU.

If you need to leave then excuse yourself and go