EP09: Since when Finishing A bowl of Rice is Crime
Context: A girl just trying to have a normal dinner with her partner along with 2 couples (her partners friends), it was her first time meeting them for dinner. Here goes:
We went into the restaurant and sat down and after my partner finished ordering, I asked the waiter to add a bowl of rice into the order. I am the type I need carbs to feel full.
The moment the words “1 bowl of rice” left my mouth, Miss Rice (that’s what I’m calling her) reacted like I had announced I was about to eat fire.
“You’re eating rice? At night?”Her eyes were wide like I was committing a crime.
I explained gently, “Yeah, hahaha I can’t get full without some carbs.”
But she turned to the other girl: “Wow! She’s eating rice at night! Amazing!”
Then to her boyfriend: “Can you believe she’s eating rice at night?!”
…..
We were about halfway through dinner when the guys asked if we wanted some soju + beer. I agreed, I don’t mind drinking when my partner is around, the other girl did the same.
Immediately Miss Rice jumped back in: “How can you two drink that at night?!”
Then she demanded her boyfriend to ask the restaurant for a specific brand of red wine, when the boyfriend came back saying the restaurant does not have it.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “This is ridiculous. They only carry cheap stuff?”
Mind you, my partner was paying for everyone.
Hahaha final straw!!
Right when we were finishing, she spotted my empty rice bowl. “Oh my gosh! You finished it? A whole bowl? WOW, that’s incredible!”
It was literally a small bowl, much smaller than the usual coffeeshop size bowls.
That’s when I snapped a little. “Have you never seen someone finishing their rice before?”
She immediately doubled down:
“It’s a sight! it’s my first time seeing someone eat so much rice at night!”
I looked at my partner like, “Help.”
He looked back like, “I’ve had enough.”
He stood up, took the bill, we said our goodbyes and left, the 2 of us we went for round 2 by ourselves.
During that dinner, I realized how cultural dietary expectations can influence social interactions more than I expected. Some people see eating carbs like rice late at night as unhealthy or taboo, but for me, it’s about feeling full and satisfied. In many cultures, rice is a staple anytime of the day, so being treated like it was a shocking or rebellious act felt unfair. Also, the judgment extended beyond just rice to drinking alcohol at night. It's interesting how food and drink choices can carry so much social meaning. I personally feel comfortable drinking with my partner around, and it’s part of how we unwind. But others may see it differently, which can create awkwardness in social settings. I learned that standing up for your normal eating habits can sometimes ruffle feathers, but it’s important to do so respectfully. It’s okay to enjoy what makes you feel good—whether that’s a bowl of rice, a drink, or both. Experiences like this reminded me to be confident in my choices and appreciate that everyone’s body and preferences are different. Lastly, the small bowl size mattered to me; finishing it wasn’t gluttonous—just satisfying my hunger. When people don’t understand that, it can lead to unnecessary judgments. Sharing this story might help others feel less alone if they’ve ever been judged for their food choices or portion sizes, especially in social settings.
nabei this kind of people I’ll say like “haha ya I can eat rice at night la, I also don’t get fat easily like other people hehehe”