A thread about food teasing (because it's come up today).

I drink decaf coffee. People who don't know me like to give me a hard time for it. They send me green pukey-face emoji and gagging gifs when they hear about it. Want to know why I quit caffeine? Debilitating anxiety. /1

In spring 2018, I found myself in such rough shape that I was crying in my office instead of getting work done. I couldn't take my kid on a walk around the block because every time I stepped out the door, I pictured cars backing out of their driveway and running her over. /2

I wasn't sleeping, so I drank more coffee. With each cup of coffee, things got worse. I was shaking. My heart was racing. I couldn't focus on anything. I was barely functioning.

So I made some major changes. I got into therapy and learned new coping techniques. /3

I started exercising more regularly. I changed careers. I also quit caffeine.

And things got better over time, but it turns out that whenever I have a cup of caffeinated coffee, those caffeine jitters come back and trigger the anxiety response, too. /4

Now I drink decaf, and people razz me for it when they don't know the backstory. They think it's good fun, but it doesn't feel great on my end.

We have a messed up food culture in the US in so many ways, one of which is how we insist on teasing each other about what we eat. /5

So when I see people getting rude about others' food choices, especially when there's not an existing relationship there with established norms for gentle teasing (looking at you, @DiegoATLAW), I get a little protective. Doubly so when it starts to look like a pile-on. /6

Getting snobby about other people's food choices doesn't make you look more cultured or sophisticated. It just makes you look rude and insecure. Don't be jerks. Enjoy your own food and beverages, and let other people eat what makes them happy. 7/7