As I am sitting in the dining center enjoying my spaghetti and talking to my friends I happen to overhear some girls at the table next to ours.
"That's all you're eating?"
Such a simple sentence that means so much. It is rude.
Why does it matter? Why do you care how much food somebody else has on their plate? You are not the one eating it, so why does it matter?
After discussing this with my friends, I came up with 5 reasons why you should not vocally judge how much another person is eating.
So next time you see your friend eating only an apple for lunch, think about how your comment could impact them. Think about what could be happening in their life right now. Or remember that it is simply none of your business. Please think twice before you speak up.
Thank you.
"That's all you're eating?"
Such a simple sentence that means so much. It is rude.
Why does it matter? Why do you care how much food somebody else has on their plate? You are not the one eating it, so why does it matter?
After discussing this with my friends, I came up with 5 reasons why you should not vocally judge how much another person is eating.
- Eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is very common in teens and young adults and it is not talked about very often. So the girl you eat lunch with twice a week may be dealing with some problems and is trying to get better. But your comment will make her feel like everyone can notice her and everyone is judging. This resulting is starving herself even more. Please do not be rude and do not judge, you do not know what they are going through.
- Eats like a bird. Some people just do not each very much in general. This is me. I remember in elementary school I was at my friends house and I didn't eat very much macaroni and cheese and her mom said "you eat like a bird". It is true. I do not eat very much or in large portions. I eat throughout the day and snack instead of having just three meals. So maybe that girl at lunch is just having a snack because she doesn't exactly eat three meals.
- The food. Maybe she simply does not like what the dining center was serving! So she did not want to get a lot because she knew she wasn't going to eat it all. When there is something that I necessarily do not like, I either won't get it or I will grab a little to be polite.
- Sick. When you are sick do you have an appetite? Most people do not. Cause I don't! I practically eat nothing besides crackers and juice when I am sick. Little portions and bland foods are the diet for when you're sick. So when I go get lunch I probably will not be getting that much.
- No appetite. You know that feeling you get in your stomach when you are sad, mad or heartbroken? You do not have an appetite and you feel sort of empty inside. I have felt like this after I've lost a family member, broke up with boyfriends, gotten into fights with friends and family, doing badly in school, not getting the job/getting fired and when I found out my dog has cancer. Your thoughts can consume you, leading to a loss of appetite. Something may be going on in somebody's life causing their mind elsewhere. Do not bring attention to what they are or are not eating.
So next time you see your friend eating only an apple for lunch, think about how your comment could impact them. Think about what could be happening in their life right now. Or remember that it is simply none of your business. Please think twice before you speak up.
Thank you.