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Original poster

WHY is it considered rude to eat in the street?

105 replies

policywonk · 02/10/2009 20:55

Following on from another thread... I've never understood the thinking behind this (in fact, I'd never heard it at all until I was in my twenties).

Is it a middle class thing? Is it because street food is considered to be the preserve of the poor (I know this is the case in some developing countries)?

I can understand why it's inconsiderate to eat strong-smelling foods in enclosed spaces, but other than that I'm bemused by this one.

OP posts:
Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:28

differentWitch, eating in shops is a whole other issue - that is wrong.

differentWitch · 02/10/2009 21:29

See, if I buy an ice cream when I am at the beach, I go over to the sea wall or a nearby bench and sit down with the people I am with and eat it sat down, in a social group talking and laughing.

Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:30

Oh yes dp, "it's common"!

That's exactly what my working-class mum used to say.

(You're both wrong )

Original poster
policywonk · 02/10/2009 21:31

I think differentWitch might have hit on something when she says it shows a lack of self-control... that seems to have the ring of truth to me (not that I think it's a good reason).

You-don't-eat-in-the-street-because-you-eat-at-the-table seems like circular logic to me. There's nothing about eating at a table that is intrinsically superior, is there?

I'm with SGB re. loopy school of useless rules.

OP posts:
Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:31

dW, I really don't see the diff between eating an icecream sitting on the seawall or a bench, & eating one strolling along the street.

daftpunk · 02/10/2009 21:33

this isn't a class thing ponders...

it's about manners.....

why should i have to look at you eating at a bus stop.....can't you wait..?

CrankOfTheScrew · 02/10/2009 21:33

I don't really like it tbh, although I wasn't brought up that way. I feel really self-consious doing it. The only exception would be a Steakbake, if I were PG and weak with hunger. (So, often!) Otherwise I'm a table kinda gal.

hf21819 or whatever those numbers were,
"You shouldn't don't wee in your garden."
What, not even on the compost heap? I know plenty of very "nice" families who do this!

Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:34

well if it's an icecream, that would be disastrous

halfcut · 02/10/2009 21:34

I'm DP's no2 ..

differentWitch · 02/10/2009 21:35

well in the one case- sitting indicates you are stationary and not as likely to drop food on floor. If you are sitting down, there are not people trying to weave around you as you slow down or even STOP to take a lick or bite of what you are eating, unlike in the street where people invariably slow down to do so, thus pissing everyone off who is behind them. Therefore it is different.

Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:35

hf said she does wee in the garden, Crank!

Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:36

Blimey. Who'd have thunk this would be such a divisive issue

Original poster
policywonk · 02/10/2009 21:39

Maybe we should define our terms - if I'm eating in the street (yes, I DO do it and I'm a right classy bird), it will usually be something like a chocolate bar (because yes, I couldn't wait), a bag of crisps, or ice cream. I don't tend to drop bits of these things on the floor, or slow down to eat them. I pretty much inhale them.

I think it's the self-control thing - I think that's what makes people uncomfortable. The rest of it is flummery.

You can all go now

OP posts:
differentWitch · 02/10/2009 21:40

so if you don't slow down to eat, how have you never choked? ?Unless you crawl at snail's pace anyway?

pointydoug · 02/10/2009 21:40

pointless manners.

What is so awful about seing someone eat? Why is it equated with going to the toilet?

Original poster
policywonk · 02/10/2009 21:41

Ponders, these threads - in which some of us find out that our everyday behaviours are considered rude by others - often cause huge rows! I remember one about whether you would tell your DC to give up his or her seat on a bus if there were able-bodied adults standing - people were pretty much hysterical after about 40 posts.

OP posts:
halfcut · 02/10/2009 21:42

I can eat and walk at quite a fast pace ..tis an art I'm well practised in

Ponders · 02/10/2009 21:42

And, let's face it, there are plenty of annoying people who slow down/stop dead/deviate from suggested path/bend over to tie a shoe lace & have no food in their hands at all!!!

Is that any less off-pissing?

halfcut · 02/10/2009 21:42

Only on MN rofl

differentWitch · 02/10/2009 21:43

If the half-masticated food is being spread around a 5 foot radius whilst you're facing the person, it is quite horrific to be perfectly honest.

Original poster
policywonk · 02/10/2009 21:43

dW - I'm very good at eating. I've had a lot of practice

pointy, that's interesting isn't it - that so many people equate it to urination. A sort of universal disgust at bodily requirements.

OP posts:
differentWitch · 02/10/2009 21:43

No Ponders, that's just pissing-off in a doffernet way.

EmNotPGYet · 02/10/2009 21:44

For me it's one of those things that I was brought up not to do, but I can't really think why not! It just feels wrong to me.

hf128219 · 02/10/2009 21:45

Oh good god. It's the same as anything etiquette related.

Why is it bad to hold knife like pen?

Call a napkin a serviette?

Call the loo a toilet?

pointydoug · 02/10/2009 21:45

yes, it's like seeing something very intimate and slightly disgusting. That is not a healthy attitude.

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