Monday, September 18, 2006

Food for Thought

If I was friends with Nicole Ritchie or Victoria Beckham, no matter how much I think they need to put on a bit of weight, I would be reluctant to mention it them. To my mind, it can be just as rude, untactful and hurtful to point out someone’s thinness as it is to point out someone’s fatness.

Now, (unfortunately) nobody is going to tell me I’m too thin anytime soon, but on a similar note, I was rather peeved at a certain work colleague’s reaction to my lunch today.
‘What are you having’ he enquired
‘Salad' said I.
‘ Just salad. Oh! Is that all you are having’ he said very loudly so the whole office could hear.

I did also have a yoghurt and it was a large plate of salad with lashings of dressing, but really I don’t see why I should have to justify what I choose to eat to someone I hardly know. I don’t have an eating disorder, but I am a bit sensitive about these things. Its nobody else's business - since I left home 13 years ago, it isn't even my mum's business what I eat.

If I did the same to him, I don’t think it would be looked upon too kindly. I could quite easily say any of the following, most days, but it would be deemed offensive.

‘What’s that – another bacon sandwich?’
‘Is that your second or third packet of crisps today?’
‘More red meat and saturated fat!’

3 comments:

Suz said...

I hate when people carry out like this - it is just as bad as pointing out someones unhealthy diet. I used to get this all the time at college because I usually didn't have a big lunch. I told them how annoying it was and they kept going with it. Argh!

Anonymous said...

I wholeheartedly agree!

What gives them the right to judge, anyhow? Winds me up something chronic.

As someone who's had (well, actually still has, if I'm honest) issues with food, I would never be so insensitive to draw attention to what someone is or isn't eating.

Likewise,I wouldn't call up Victoria Beckham or Nicole Richie on their thin ness. It's just rude.

SandDancer said...

Oh Jen, I hope things are getting better for you now with this.