Dear Abby: More Fun With Food

[cereta]

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend, "Charlene," whom I met through a local charity organization. We have many things in common, including the fact that we're both retired, and we enjoy each other's company. Charlene is slim (not skinny), very energetic and fit for her age.

The problem is, it's impossible to share a meal with her. As soon as the food is served, Charlene starts a constant commentary about "how big the portions are" and how she "couldn't possibly eat" what is before her (it doesn't matter how little is on the plate). Often, she does actually eat most of her meal. Then the ongoing comments start about how she was such a pig, she won't be able to eat another thing all day.

I don't know if she thinks she's setting a good example (I am not slim), or if she has some psychological issues surrounding food. I am tired of this routine. Is there any way I can ask her to stop without hurting her feelings? -- SICK OF HEARING IT IN IDAHO

DEAR SICK: I can see how sitting through repeat performances of those refrains would get old fast. Of course there's a way to get her to stop. All you have to say is, "You know, when you say that, it prevents me from enjoying my meal, so please don't do it when you're with me."

Comments

[lilysea]

Yes, back when I was well enough to work I would dread saying "no thanks" to workplace cake [the reason, which I didn't usually share, was because I have non-celiac gluten intolerance, and for me gluten = increased fatigue, increased migraine and increased muscle and joint pain].

because that would then trigger a cascade of remarks from my coworkers about how "good" I was being avoiding cake, and how bad *they* felt for eating cake.

And its like, nope, this has NOTHING to do with weight, I promise I am not judging what anyone else is eating, can't a fat woman just pass up cake without everyone having to start doing a virtue-signalling dance at her.

The same thing happened if I passed up sugary lollies (again, because lots of sugar at once = migraine trigger for me.)

In hindsight, maybe I should have just accepted the damn cake/lollies and then surreptitiously chucked it in the rubbish bin...

[minoanmiss]

That is so awful on so many levels -- assumptions, disbelief, nauseating virtue signaling. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.