dealing with food-related comments

[that_one_girl]

I don't know if we already have a topic on this:

What is the polite response to comments someone makes about your food?
I moved to a rural area, so some of the things I eat are more exotic than most locals are used to.  It most often comes up when my coworker sees what I have prepared for lunch, something along the lines of vegetarian sushi or seaweed salad, and for some reason decides to say something like, "Eww! gross!"
I haven't offered to share it with them, tried to convince them they will like it, or anything of the sort.  I don't understand why they are compelled to comment.  There are things that I prefer not to eat, but I don't go around telling other people their food is gross.

[Slartibartfast]

I've used ". . . then you don't have to eat it!" as a gentle rebuke when someone takes an overly critical interest in my food.

[siamesecat2965]

Crack them over their knuckles with a fork? Oops, sorry, evilsiamesecat has now been put back in her cage.

I hate that. I am kind of adventerous when it comes to food, and I've had that happen to me. I usually just go "mmmm or uh huh" and ignore. Its just rude. I don't mind if someone asks "oh, what do you have there, it looks interesting" as long as they aren't being rude, and are merely curious. 

[camlan]

I handle comments like that with a big smile, a shrug and "All the more for me!"

Sometimes I get, "You aren't going to *eat* that, are you?" To which I smile and reply, "Yep."

[scotcat60]

I don't understand why they are compelled to comment.  There are things that I prefer not to eat, but I don't go around telling other people their food is gross.

Nor do I. But some people who have never seen such food, and do not understand why people eat it, are like the girls in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" who giggle beecause Tula tells them she has brought in humus for lunch.It's wired into their brains to mock the unfamiliar.
I got this once when I had haggis for lunch, but a friend, who is a sensible girl asked "Is it nice?", so I gave her a piece and she said "Hey, I like haggis!"

[bopper]

"More for me!"
or
"And you are commenting on  my food because..."'
or
"Don't worry, I won't make you eat any."
or
"You said that out loud, you know."

[Hmmmmm]

Response to an "ewww gross" to me will be met with a raised eyebrow with a bemused look and a "Excuse me, did you just call my lunch gross?" Then a short laugh, a shake of the head, and a return to my lunch.

[LadyJaneinMD]

I usually come up with 'I don't recall asking for your opinion on my food'.   
Coldly.  Very coldly. 

[nayberry]

i tend to take a bite bite and make yummy noises   and if they persist reply with "did i offer you any? no? then stop commenting on it!"

[Phoebelion]

When DH's close and extended family visit, it's usually for the weekend.  They are from rural areas.

He always tells me "Don't cook wired stuff".  About the fifth time, I asked him what weird stuff I cooked.

His answer - lamb stew, cheesy garlic biscuts, waffles, bruschetta, steamed veggies, ya know, weird stuff. 

And yes, I have had his family turn up their nose at the cheese garlic biscuts.

[Thipu1]

The one that used to get my goat at the library regularly came from someone who was a newly converted vegetarian.  She would often look at my lunch and say, 'Oh, you're STILL eating meat?'. 

Her vegetarianism didn't last very long.  After a few months I saw her tucking into a Big Mac.  Hoo boy, it was a huge temptation to make a comment. 

It wasn't her vegetarianism that bothered me, it was the moral superiority in her voice.  I think it bothered me because it was rare to encounter someone like that. 

IME, vegetarians, vegans, people who keep Kosher or observe Halal are happy to share recipes.  The only thing that should be said about another diner's food is, 'That smells great!  What is it?'. 

[Cherry91]

I have a massive appetite, and have done since I was a teeny-tiny little girl. The amount of comments I get about my dietry choices is really irritating, from the "concerned" ("a moment on the lips...") to the "waste police" ("why did you order all that, there's no way you're going to eat it!"). It also doesn't help that I have a massive sweet tooth...

[BeagleMommy]

Don't "yuck" my "yum".  I said this to someone who said she couldn't believe I was drinking "that nasty Diet Dr. Pepper".  She obviously doesn't know it's addictive.

[ladyknight1]

I have found the direct look and a pause will make most commenters move on.

That is so annoying!

[Two Ravens]

"Good, you can't have any."