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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JoKalsbeek" data-source="post: 2442976" data-attributes="member: 401801">It gets easier with time. I dreaded social situations for a while, but I've shouted the whole T2 thing from the rooftops on my FB: Hence, friends and family know why I eat the way I do, and I'm not just being difficult for the sake of being a special snowflake or anything. (Plus, they can see I lost a quarter of my weight from 5 years ago. They can't argue with the lack of extra chins!). But that's a personal choice. I'm quite open about my ailments because that might mean people I know and love, won't have to go through the same obstacle-course as I have. (Lots of what I have is hereditary or otherwise common, after all.). You might be a more private person, and you disclose what you disclose, as you wish. If people nag about something, you can just say your doc won't allow it and you've been feeling better since you took his advice. That's oblique, but clear enough, and that yeah, even "just this once" will hurt. And you can change the subject straight after.I have a hand in most family dinners over Christmas; there's plenty of carby stuff I avoid, but ooooh my, I don't leave the table hungry either! (Meat, fish, poultry, my aunt's wonderful devilled eggs, you name it, I gobble it!). At birthday parties, I'm The Auntie with the Camera: I photograph the niece and nephews' cake/cupcakes, and I'll shoot the wrecking of said pastries. I have something to do while others eat, so they don't feel like I'm left out. I do have my hands full, after all, even if I'm not holding a fork and plate. In restaurants, there's plenty of servers who will happily pass on requests to the kitchen, if you ask nicely. I had some laughing with the things I asked, and sometimes I overshare ("I'm not trying to be difficult, and I really love all sorts of foods, but my diabetes and kidneystones don't."), but so far, well... Sometimes it requires a little explaining when someone's new in the kitchen and is afraid I'll want a discount which won't go over well with their bosses, but when that's cleared up -I'll happily pay for the bread, just don't put it on my plate- it's usually fine. (The Dutch are notorious cheapskates and money's a thing... So it may not be much of an issue there.) I only had one place make me feel unwelcome in the past 5 years of asking for my meals without spuds or rice or bread, and that turned out to be more of a misunderstanding than anything else. (When we paid it seemed they thought I had wanted a discount, which was an assumption on their part... I would've happily paid double if they'd just done what I asked, rather than me leaving both hungry and on the verge of tears! The next place we went to, as I was ravenous, was a balm to the soul, and I added the tip that would've gone to the other place if they'd been a tad friendlier, to theirs. So one absolutely cancelled the other out!). Most of my usual haunts know I tip generously for their efforts, so no-one's spit on my steak yet. Like I said, only once in the past five years.. Make that five and a half. And I do eat out a lot. I'm quirky, overly apologetic and like I said, I overshare, but you don't have to do the last bit. All in all, a restaurant doesn't want to throw perfectly good food out, or waste time preparing it if it goes untouched. If you can head that off by saying you don't want something, or replace it with something else... That'll work, and they'll actually appreciate it.I've got a bunch of things wrong with me, one of which being social anxiety. I can't tell you how terrified I was of asking for special treatment. But it's been good for my health, and not the horrible experience I expected. You'll be okay. It just takes some getting used to. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Jo</blockquote>

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