When in love, it seems all it takes to keep your stomach full is air. We speak to women who have been on first dates and find out how they ate – or didn’t – that day.
By Penny K
A 1987 study revealed women ate less in front of a desirable male partner in order to present themselves as being more feminine. According to the hypothesis this is because both men and women perceive eating small as a feminine attribute.
Then in 2007, to see if the theory still stood true, BBC conducted an experiment. They sent six single ladies on a date with “Mr Right” and filmed the perfectly pleasant evening. Four days later the experiment was repeated, this time with “Mr Totally Wrong”. The women were fed identical meals both on the first and second date. The results showed that, on average, the women did not eat any less food on the first date than they did on the second.
Though that has been a good three years ago April, 24, thinks the findings of the 1987 study holds water. She says, “I wouldn’t eat less but I’d be more conscious about what I choose to eat. I wouldn’t want to look like a messy goon stuffing my face with a burger I can’t handle!” She adds, “On my first date with my boyfriend I had chicken nuggets at McDonald’s. Totally mess free.”
Pei, 22, concurs, “I’d definitely eat less than him. Don’t want him to think I’m a pig!”
One of the respondents, Daphne, 22, begs to differ. She rationalises, “My dream guy wouldn’t mind my healthy appetite, as I wouldn’t mind his either! Hot guy and food equals double yum.”
Natasha, 25, says, “It really depends. When I’m nervous my appetite tends to shrink but if he manages to make me feel comfortable I won’t worry about it. What’s the point of going to dinner if you’re not going to eat? What I think people should worry more about on a first date? Table manners. Please, get some.”
So which school of dating eating do you belong to? The Anti-Pig or the I’ll-Eat-What-I-Want?
Well, whichever you are just remember to be yourself this Valentine’s Day. Being a lovebird doesn’t mean eating like one!
study findings via BBC
For the men, 10 things not to eat on a first date:
1. Big Mac
2. Milk
3. Vanilla ice-cream
4. Fish sticks
5. Lobster
6. Tacos
7. Corn
8. Buffalo wings
9. Salad
10. Soup
Read this article to find out why!
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