# Do you gorge on "free food"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430 "2018-12-20T16:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/41 "2018-12-24T15:16:47Z")
The store I work at put out the “holiday buffet” yesterday. Being a vegetarian, I ignored the chicken dish, but partook of the rice and beans, mixed vegetables, potato salad and cake. On the second partaken, I took rice and beans, mixed vegetables and cake but didn’t finish it all. I then took the empty cake dish and a spoon, and ate the leftover frosting, much to the amazement of my co-workers. I have a think for vanilla frosting. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/42 "2018-12-24T20:44:40Z")
Depends on how the food is presented. If someone puts out food for multiple people, then I’m going to think about what portion would be an appropriate amount for me to eat to make sure everyone who wants some gets some. If I underestimate and stuff remains after others have had their chance, then I may get more. If someone is paying for my food, I’m going to think about what would be a reasonable amount to order. And if that’s more than I need, then I take what I need instead. However, in contexts where the food is free and effectively unlimited, then I am definitely likely to eat more. In fact, even when it’s stuff I get, seeing that we have a lot makes me more likely to get food or drink. For example, for any box of food, I wind up eating up the first 2/3 or 3/4 faster than the last 1/3 or 1/4. I think the issue, therefore, is the feeling of plenty, not the fact that the food is free. I effectively have access to plenty of food, whether I paid for that access or not. (Of course, if I had to pay for each portion of food, then I would no longer have plenty unless I had plenty of money.) Though I will admit that food being free makes how much I like that food less of a consideration. I do feel the need to get “my share.” But that share is almost never enough to “gorge” nor seems an unreasonable amount in hindsight. –Also, wow, that’s a lot of thought to put into this simple question. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/43 "2018-12-24T21:19:46Z")
Pretty much the opposite for me. If I am at home with a freshly-delivered pizza, I will eat that pizza either until it is gone or until I can physically chew no more. Free pizza at work? I’ll grab a slice. _Maybe_ I’ll go back for another if they’re small. Who wants to be known as the guy who always takes more than his share? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2018, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/44 "2018-12-25T06:41:10Z")
I’ll eat some, but I don’t hog it down. Mainly because I don’t want to take more than my fair share. There’s always going to be those assholes that take like, four donuts each, and then some people don’t get any. I hate those dickwads. ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/45 "2018-12-26T20:22:37Z")
Free food I do not over-indulge. Finger foods can be more of a problem if someone presents a tray repeatedly to me and says “please take one”. If I pay for a buffet, however, I hate myself after leaving because I ALWAYS feel stuffed and almost sick. I seem to go into “revenge” mode and have to feel like I am getting my money’s worth, focusing most heavily on the expensive meats. As a consequence, I try to avoid Vegas. Well that, and I don’t enjoy gambling. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/46 "2018-12-27T06:46:41Z")
If you look carefully, you’ll see me in this video. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBCLXZmMQNs) OK, not really, but as children my brother, sisters and I apparently were famous for going all at whenever there was free food, especially cookies or other desserts. We rarely had treats at home and would hog out given a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/47 "2018-12-27T18:45:37Z")
I’m in the last para of the original post. I couldn’t be bothered eating all the food and at home we never have fast food (Okay we have KFC once a year as it is just up the road) Even excess size meals horrify me- I can’t eat them- and I am not a slim person (unfortunately). ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/48 "2018-12-27T20:37:31Z")
When I was new to my company and in the IT department, I marveled at the way one of the guys on my team was so good at sniffing out free food and getting some. I have since learned the ways. I am at a sales building and there is almost always free food here. There are café days from partners, leftover food from trainings, donuts (and smiley faced cookies!) on Wednesdays, and other various situations where free food can be found. I usually partake and sometimes I might even bring some home. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/49 "2019-01-03T01:14:24Z")
Somebody brought what appears to be America’s strategic reserve of banana-flavored Laffy Taffy to the office, and even though I have no great passion for banana-flavored things or Laffy Taffy in general, I’ve been scarfing it down. It’s there, it’s free, and it tastes good enough, with the added bonus that there’s no guilt about “depriving” anyone else of this fine cuisine. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/50 "2019-01-03T17:51:06Z")
Somehow I have nearly unlimited willpower at work. But the same cannot be said when I’m just chillin’ at home. I CANNOT allow junk food in the house or I will eat it. Unfortunately I also get a stupid thrill from bargain shopping so the few days after the holidays, when all sorts of junk food is \>70% off, I tend to mindlessly buy way too much garbage. The office gets lots of donations from me this time of year! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/51 "2019-01-03T19:01:41Z")
No offense to anyone in particular here, but people who scarf up more than their share when someone brings food in to the office really irritate me. Not so much at public events, but when individuals bring food to share and someone takes more than their share because"hey, it’s free", I find that really unattractive. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/52 "2019-01-03T19:09:37Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Possibly timely this time of year - this OP came to me after I grabbed my SECOND donut from the breakroom. Hell, if I were honest with myself, I think I don’t really even LIKE donuts that much. Heaven knows I NEVER think of donuts, until they are made available to me, and can’t remember ever buying myself one. But put them in front of me, and not only will I take 1, I’ll probably take 2 or even more! > > Pretty much the only way I’m able to exercise food control is by not letting the food into my house. I simply don’t buy junk food - or intentionally only buy limited amounts. And I intentionally buy a bunch of fruit and veggies. Being cheap, I am easily able to resist buying snacks or going out to eat, and I eat the perishables instead of letting them go bad. > > When preparing meals, I’m perfectly satisfied with reasonable portion sizes. But if I’m at a dinner party or a buffet and they have some dishes I really like, I’ll have seconds - if not thirds. > > I’m very fortunate, that I either have the metabolism of a hummingbird - or a tapeworm - such that I am not overweight. (I also exercise a bit.) And if I really overindulge and gain a couple of pounds, I’m able to simply forego a meal or 2 and get back to normal. > > Used to be a problem when I drank alcohol. If the beer - or premium gin - was flowing, I’d eventually end up on the floor. :rolleyes: > > Do you have similar self-control issues? If so, do any particular foods give you problems? One of my worst is Italian beef. Seems like at a lot of gatherings, people will have a big tray of sliced beef w/ juice and peppers to make sandwiches. I might have 4 sandwiches - or more. Or pizza - man, I’ll eat until I almost feel sick. > > If you have no problem eating in moderation, if you can pass up sweets in the break room, or if you dish up salad at a dinner party instead of the potatoes au gratin - does it involve an intentional effort or does it simply come naturally? By flowing … you mean for free? Like an open bar? I’ve had co-workers buy drinks and I sure enjoyed that … you must mean a party atmosphere like a wedding or something. Only if I didn’t drive there … for sure I would have to be driven home if the booze was free. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430/53 "2019-01-04T02:11:06Z")
I tend not to overeat in any particular situation, and would say it comes pretty naturally… Passing on donuts/cookies/cake/etc is no problem, I don’t care much for sweets, and more often than not would rather not have any…and I don’t care for stuffing myself - at something like a Thanksgiving dinner, I’ll eat about as much I would on any of the other 364 dinners of the year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-gorge-on-free-food/826430.md?page=2)