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Navigating that hotel breakfast buffet

nidriks

I like to travel. I have a general social anxiety for the world, but I got to 48 and realised I had to see some of the world.

I like breakfast buffets in hotels, or I like the idea of filling up before a day's exploring. I like a nice variety of new foods that I can try, even if most days I'm pretty stale in my variety - same breakfast, same sandwich for lunch etc - it's nice to expand ones horizons and push one out of one's comfort zone. No matter how hard it is.

So, here am I am, right now, in a hotel in Germany, having a breakfast buffet. Talk about sensory nightmare.

The people...they're everywhere. I chose bigger hotels because at least I can not feel singled out, but then all the people are there.

There's no trays. Hey, I have probably dyspraxia too, you know, how am I supposed to balance a plate, a cup of tea and my fork? Yeah, I only have a fork usually. We'll get to that.

How much do I take? How many times can I go back? Will they think I'm greedy? Do I eat like other people?

I don't like using a knife. I use just a fork. Yes, I scoop food on to it with my finger. That's fine at home, but will people think I'm a disgusting oaf? Look at the size of that cutlery. Am I a giant? That knife - okay, I sometimes use it for butter - is bigger than my arm. Why?

Now I have the sniffles because I've eaten. I just get them when I eat anything? I've read it's a reaction to food being ingested. Anyone else get that? Okay, something I just ate irritated my bowels, or is that just the stress of wondering if I'm doing everything right?

But, I've done a fair few breakfasts in hotels now. I should be an expert, but it's still hard every time.

How do others cope?

Parents

  • Hi! Below are some direct responses to your qs + some advice based on how I travel

     

    ‘how am I supposed to balance a plate, a cup of tea and my fork? How much do I take? How many times can I go back? Will they think I'm greedy? Do I eat like other people?’

     

    I normally go up 2-3 times. First I do my plate, second I do my drinks (coffee, water, juice).  If I’m still hungry I do another sweep. 

    ‘How much to take?’ Take as much as you want haha, you’ve paid a set price most likely so just eat as much or as little you want. 

    ‘Will people thing your greedy?’ Firstly who cares? Secondly its very unlikely anyone is paying attention to you. 

    ‘Do you eat like other people?’ I would say as long as what you’re doing isn’t adversely impacting other people then it shouldn’t really matter how you eat.

     

    Using your finger as your knife – ‘Will people think I'm a disgusting oaf?’ Highly unlikely! Might some people look and think it’s a little odd? Probably.  If you’re trying to blend in then maybe just use a knife or just a fork (no finger lol) for the meal?  Its just 30-60 mins of your day so this shouldn’t be a big ask.  Otherwise just crack on with the finger lol You wont see any of these people again.

     

    Sniffles after eating – Could be you have an intolerance to something or what you’re eating has high levels of histamine.  I sometimes get bad hay fever symptoms if I’ve had certain alcohol (beers, whiskey) and I’m fairly certain it’s the histamine that causes this.

     

    Irritated bowels – You can always get yourself test for intolerances etc so might be worth doing. Stress is a huge factor though so could easily be this. If you don’t experience anything at home/normal environment then likely its stress.

     

    Other comments

     

    Could you stay at an Airbnb instead? I personally like bringing my own coffee when I travel as well just buying something as simple as oats to make porridge/overnight oats and therefore airbnbs are ideal for making my own breakfast each day. You can eat what you want, when you want and how you want! Buffets at hotels usually cost around £20-25 in uk/Europe so they are very expensive for what you get.  I typically only get breakfasts at Hotels if there are no other breakfast options near the hotel.

    If you do decide to continue with hotels+buffets then could get yourself some headphones if sounds are an issue? 

     

    Lastly, well done for getting our there and doing some travelling! Its hard having autism and dealing with all the different things that come with travelling.  Good luck with the rest of your trip!

Reply

  • Hi! Below are some direct responses to your qs + some advice based on how I travel

     

    ‘how am I supposed to balance a plate, a cup of tea and my fork? How much do I take? How many times can I go back? Will they think I'm greedy? Do I eat like other people?’

     

    I normally go up 2-3 times. First I do my plate, second I do my drinks (coffee, water, juice).  If I’m still hungry I do another sweep. 

    ‘How much to take?’ Take as much as you want haha, you’ve paid a set price most likely so just eat as much or as little you want. 

    ‘Will people thing your greedy?’ Firstly who cares? Secondly its very unlikely anyone is paying attention to you. 

    ‘Do you eat like other people?’ I would say as long as what you’re doing isn’t adversely impacting other people then it shouldn’t really matter how you eat.

     

    Using your finger as your knife – ‘Will people think I'm a disgusting oaf?’ Highly unlikely! Might some people look and think it’s a little odd? Probably.  If you’re trying to blend in then maybe just use a knife or just a fork (no finger lol) for the meal?  Its just 30-60 mins of your day so this shouldn’t be a big ask.  Otherwise just crack on with the finger lol You wont see any of these people again.

     

    Sniffles after eating – Could be you have an intolerance to something or what you’re eating has high levels of histamine.  I sometimes get bad hay fever symptoms if I’ve had certain alcohol (beers, whiskey) and I’m fairly certain it’s the histamine that causes this.

     

    Irritated bowels – You can always get yourself test for intolerances etc so might be worth doing. Stress is a huge factor though so could easily be this. If you don’t experience anything at home/normal environment then likely its stress.

     

    Other comments

     

    Could you stay at an Airbnb instead? I personally like bringing my own coffee when I travel as well just buying something as simple as oats to make porridge/overnight oats and therefore airbnbs are ideal for making my own breakfast each day. You can eat what you want, when you want and how you want! Buffets at hotels usually cost around £20-25 in uk/Europe so they are very expensive for what you get.  I typically only get breakfasts at Hotels if there are no other breakfast options near the hotel.

    If you do decide to continue with hotels+buffets then could get yourself some headphones if sounds are an issue? 

     

    Lastly, well done for getting our there and doing some travelling! Its hard having autism and dealing with all the different things that come with travelling.  Good luck with the rest of your trip!

Children
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