Everyone I Know Always Wants to Go To Dinner - And They Don't Take No for an Answer

[Bolletje]

I almost wonder if it’s a form of stimming for non-autistic people. It’s like, no one can just sit there and talk. We always have to be doing something.

It's an interesting thought. I like dining out with my boyfriend because it's one of the rare times where we can just have uninterrupted conversations. When we have dinner at home he's usually watching TV or working during dinner (he's not much for sitting down at the dinner table together).

 

[Kalinychta]

It's an interesting thought. I like dining out with my boyfriend because it's one of the rare times where we can just have uninterrupted conversations. When we have dinner at home he's usually watching TV or working during dinner (he's not much for sitting down at the dinner table together).

Good point. Maybe we’re just thinking too much into it here. It’s probably not an autism thing. Maybe some people just flat-out don’t like dining out. Or if it is an autism thing, perhaps it’s more that some don’t like the socialization aspect of dining with others.

 

[Bolletje]

Good point. Maybe we’re just thinking too much into it here. It’s probably not an autism thing. Maybe some people just flat-out don’t like dining out. Or if it is an autism thing, perhaps it’s more that some don’t like the socialization aspect of dining with others.

Yeah, I think there’s many aspects that can come into play here, some of which spectrum related and some of which I guess are more a personality thing.

I am really passionate about food and love experiencing new tastes and textures. It inspires me for home cooking. This makes dining out a real treat for me. But I’m aware there are many people that prefer familiar flavors and textures, or would rather stick with safe foods. That makes dining out a lot less inviting.

I also know a few people to whom food is just sustenance. They don’t care for dining out because food, to them, is just not that important.

On top of that, restaurants can be incredibly loud. I generally visit small restaurants, with a limited amount of guests, to make sure the acoustics aren’t overwhelming. Otherwise the dinner becomes less pleasant for me.

Another factor is that dining out is expensive. Which is why I don’t dine out much, even though I’m obsessed with food.

 

[Suzette]

I almost wonder if it’s a form of stimming for non-autistic people. It’s like, no one can just sit there and talk. We always have to be doing something.

HumanBEing vs HumanDOing

My mother and aunts are humandoers. They are like hummingbirds, never still. Always "accomplishing" the next task. "I have accomplished nothing" is a literal verbal mantra.

Meal times are often fraught with debate about what to have, as though this one meal will be an indelible experience in their psyches. They put this same energy and importance into choosing toilet paper. I guess that makes sense. If it is important going in, it is important coming out.

 

[Skittlebisquit]

I like dinner parties way better than restaurants. Everyone beings something and its safer to me