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Comment by breakbread | Hacker News Reader

For whatever reason, I can stand when people comment on what I've brought for lunch.

"Hey, that looks pretty good!""Smells good! What'cha got there?""Bring me some next time!"

For one reason or another, I've developed a sort of office-eating-phobia. There was a period where, in order to feel OK and not pass out at my desk, I packed a tupperware container with Greek yogurt and almond butter. I think it tastes amazing, kind of like cheesecake, and with the high-fat/high-protein content, keeps me satisfied for 4 hours, so I don't have to think about lunch til 2-3pm, and even then I could just go for another snack. But I couldn't STAND what people would say to me or what they'd ask about my food. I felt very uncomfortable having to "explain" what I'm eating, it's something I need to work on.

I avoided the office kitchen at all costs to prevent this sort of small-talk. My routine would be retrieving my food from the fridge as fast as humanly possible, eating at my desk, and then spending my actual lunch break reading a book someplace. Ask me anything, just leave my food alone.

The worst was when I'd reheat some meat-and-veggie entree I made the night before, and people would say "wow, smells good!" What the hell am I supposed to say to this? "Yup..." I think I have office-trauma-induced-asperger's now....

Is agreeing with someone's compliment the hardest part of your job? And are you hiring?

Yes, it actually is. I'm just a temp. I'm flattered that you asked that, but I'm in no position to hire anyone; I'm a deadbeat Slavophile trying to masquerade as an IT expert.

Agreed. Or when anyone comments on your food in general. Like at the grocery store, that's the one that irks me the most. "Ohhh someone is having a BBQ!!". "You know, I should try this wine". Stuff like that.

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