Is it normal for someone to not like to eat in front of people?

Me too. Except my bestestestestest friends... They have to be that big of a best.

Its normal. My mums friends shitty little dog always has to watch me make my lunch and follow me and watch me eat it. Swear to god, one more time and I'm beating the creature to death with a ham sandwich.

I absolutely loathe that. i hate it when its silent and someone across the table is staring at you while u eat. creepah. <.<

Yes. I don't like to because i would like to eat my food in privacy and in peace with out a small dog looking at me barking wanting to eat my food while the dog has her own bowl of food and this piss me off bad now don't get me wrong i do like dogs i don't like small dogs.

it reminds me of a sci-fi / fantasy story i read about a female magician who had to keep her gender a secret. if anyone named her secret then her magic would be lost (dunno why, it's just part of the plot)

anyway one of the other parts of her restrictions was that she couldn't eat in front of others. perhaps because of the lack of an adam's apple. but anyway that's what this reminds me of.

as for not eating in front of others, if you're close to the person he or she will let you know if you have food in your teeth

yeah, like if you have a new boyfriend and your uncomfortable xoxo

I feel the same way, BUT I used to have an eating disorder :/ .

I wouldn't like to on a first date but I am a terrible 'spiller' - which I just have to laugh off.

The secret is to eat small portions in case your pals expect an answer mid-way through a mouthful.

I don't care so much but I don't like people staring at me when I eat, which happens...

what are you worried about OP

I don't mind it. But Then again with friends, we always ask if there's anything in each other's teeth or on our faces. Just politeness in our own parts.

And don't worry if you accidentally spit food. The best thing you can do is say, "Wow, that's rude my bad, I'm sorry" but in a jokingly way - that's how we do it. Though I suppose it could also depend on who you're eating with. With my close friends we honestly don't care, but at a say, reunion or whatever, I barely eat and when I do, I go as slowly as possible.

Know what I hate? When you're eating and someone WON'T TAKE THEIR FUCKING EYES OFF YOU. One time I was so pissed, I simply asked, "Need something?" and we got into a semi argument-conversation.

But if it bothers you to the point you feel like you have to eat in a closet, overcome the fear, it's not that big of a deal. That or freshen up on your etiquette. Do nothing to make you eat less.

I don't like eating in front of people I don't know, but with my friends and family I don't feel uncomfortable.

More often, I prefer to eat alone, because the noises other people make really bother me.

Not normal. Eating is normal and required. Maybe u just need a little pocket mirror and try not to eat so loud :) eating alone is the same as drinking alone.

Ask yourself why you don't. Is it the type of people that are around you? Is it the location? The location?

If you are hiding because you're ashamed of eating, then that is a problem. Otherwise there's probably a reasonable explanation why.

I don't like to. In my case, I think I make a very weird noise when I eat, which makes me self-concious.

I've just noticed how much I've been revealing lately on IIN about my terrible relationship with food. It is one of many things that make me question my normality on a daily basis.