I am new here, and a restaurant menu suddenly feels enormous to me

2026-10-06 1331 views 2 posts

Tbh hi everyone, I hope it's okay to post something so small. I started three days ago and I'm still learning what normal feels like. Tonight my sister wants to take me out for her birthday, and I've been staring at the menu online like it's a final exam.

Usually I'd get the chicken parm, finish the bread basket, and still pick at her fries. Now I'm not sure I'll want more than a few bites, and I don't want to waste a plate of food or make a fuss at the table.

Is it odd to just order an appetizer as my meal? Or ask for a box right when it comes out?

I've never done either and I feel a little silly even typing it.

One other tiny thing: at lunch today I felt full after half a glass of water and just sat there confused. Does that happen to anyone else early on?

Sorry for the nervous questions. Mostly I'm glad there's somewhere to ask them.

Welcome, and this isn’t small at all. I run a cafe, so I get menu panic — I once ate a whole focaccia while “just tasting” for the display case.

What helped me early on was deciding before I walked in: pick the thing I truly want, then ask for a box when it lands and pack half before I touch it. I also ask the server to skip the bread basket or park it at the far end. Not virtuous, just realistic.

Does your sister know you started? Telling one person at the table made it feel less like a secret exam. You can still celebrate her.