To eat or not to eat?

I'd be rather annoyed at paying $150 for your dinner just to have you snub it.

I'm sad that people think it's rude not to eat. I tend not to eat at events because I have severe intestinal issues and am more likely to get sick if I've eaten recently. I hate when people complain that I'm not eating. Would you rather me not eat, or would you rather me eat and then have to immediately leave and be sick? Even when I explain why I don't eat, people seem to be annoyed. I wish people would be more understanding about it.

If you're literally just "not hungry" though, I would try to pick at food and at least have a few bites to be polite. You can always say, "My stomach has been bothering me" or something like that if you really really don't want to eat.

@lyla, obviously you have some very special health exception. No one would rather you be sick, rather in general, if people attend a formal dinner event and just push away their plate, the host will think it's a snub. I'm sure in your special situation you can find away around it, like informing the host in advance

@Lyla-do you let the host know? My GF has IBS and there are several friends with celiac and food allergies in our group, they are accommodated at every event. I have never been to a dinner or a wedding where I didn't eat what was served. That's incredibly rude.

Yes, it is very rude to not eat what is served to you (unless you have restrictions). It doesn't matter if you're at someones home for dinner or at a wedding - Its rude to your host. I'd be really upset that I just spent money to feed you and you wasted it because you decided to eat beforehand.

Yes, I would say that it is rude to not eat. At least cut up the food and push it around your plate. How awkward for everyone else at your table to have you just sitting there not touching your food.

@Jenny @Jessie. Of course the hosts know in advance! Everyone who knows me knows about it because I'm in the hospital often and am very open about it. People still want me to eat up regardless haha

Either way, I don't think anyone should feel obligated to eat if they're sick or they really don't want to. Just serve yourself a small amount and take a few bites/push things back and forth, and no one will know the difference. I only think it's rude if you make it obvious to others that you aren't eating (like literally pushing your plate away or announcing it) and don't give a decent excuse.