Picky Brits embarrassed when eating out

A study by the SUBWAY brand has found six in ten Brits are so worried about what a date or partner thinks of them while eating that they often ignore their preferred choice of food for something that’s more straightforward. In contrast to their partners, 40 per cent of the 2,000 polled would never complain if a food order wasn’t right or tasted bad, with the average person munching through 36 meals out every year that are far from their liking.

Clearly, eating out is not a simple process for many:

• 1 in 5 embarrassed by their partners when eating out
• Average Brit eats 36 meals out that they’re unhappy with a year
• 40 per cent of Brits wouldn’t complain if their food tasted bad
• Around 30 per cent would complain if an order wasn’t to their liking.
• Just 14 per cent are happy to personalise their meal to ensure they get exactly what they want
• 65 per cent of people order food that is easy or less messy than what they actually want, so as not to create a scene and embarrass the person they are with.

Stay Picky

Commissioned by the SUBWAY brand, the research is part of its new ‘Stay Picky’ campaign, which encourages Brits to be picky and proud, and includes the launch of a new seven hour, slow cooked BBQ Pulled Pork Sub this month.

And there’s more: the Top 20 reasons for embarrassment by your dining partner

1. Sent back an order
2. Complained about the service
3. Negotiated substitutes e.g. swapping an egg for an extra rasher of bacon
4. Ordered a dish that wasn’t on the menu
5. Asked for ketchup
6. Clicked at serving staff
7. Complained about the food
8. Mispronounced something off the menu
9. Ordered too much food – they were greedy
10. Refused to pay for their order
11. Refused to eat their order
12. They were a messy eater
13. Tried to get discount off the bill
14. Refused to pay for the entire meal
15. They were rude to the staff
16. Knocked food off the plate
17. On their phone the whole time
18. Had a card declined
19. Spoke with their mouthful the whole time
20. Tucked their napkin into their collar

Roger Cusa, Head of Marketing for the SUBWAY brand in UK and Ireland, said: “When it comes to eating out it seems that for many of us there is a set of unwritten rules and behaviours that we expect our dates to follow. Failure to do so can often give the wrong impression.

“It’s clear from the results that a person being rude, loud or lacking in manners can quickly embarrass those they are with.

“It is important people recognise that simply having the confidence to get the order they were hoping for is ok. There’s a tradition of people keeping quiet when receiving food they don’t like so as not to cause a fuss or seem picky. At SUBWAY stores we want to champion people to stay picky to ensure they get their food just the way they want it.”

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