Vegan Diner Fears Pretentious Pick, Overthinks Menu for 20 Minutes
By Clara L. Peterson, Socially Awkward News
LOS ANGELES, CA — Nadia Garcia, a 29-year-old vegan, turned a routine lunch into a 20-minute ordeal at a trendy Los Angeles café, wrestling with a dilemma that’s earning nods as "the most relatable social struggle of the decade," according to experts. Her fear? That her menu choice might paint her as either pretentious or painfully ordinary.
The vegan café, with its sleek minimalist vibe and a menu brimming with dishes that sound like culinary art projects, only heightened Garcia’s anxiety. She sat there, visibly flustered, poring over options like quinoa bowls and gluten-free specialties. “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard,” she said, her voice tinged with unease. “But if I just get the ‘Classic Avocado Toast,’ won’t people assume I’m boring? How do you pick something unique without crossing into over-the-top territory?”
At one point, Garcia found herself caught between the “Kale & Spelt Salad” and the “Chia-Cashew-Tempeh Surprise”—the latter a dish so unconventional its ingredients could pass for a modern riddle. “Is this food or a statement?” she wondered aloud. “The tempeh feels like it’s screaming ‘woke,’ but the kale salad? That’s the choice of someone who only eats greens to seem virtuous.”
After much hesitation, she settled on the “Superfood Bowl,” a decision that briefly felt like a win—until doubt crept back in. “It’s right there on the menu, so is it too safe?” she asked, her tone betraying a mix of relief and lingering worry. “Or does picking it mean I’m basic in a way that’s almost intentional?”
Internal Deliberations Hit Critical Mass
While fellow diners placed their orders with ease, Garcia’s inner debate intensified. “What if I’m still here hours later, agonizing over a smoothie?” she confided later, glancing at her phone for some semblance of comfort. “Would it be strange to ask the waiter which option seems the least pretentious?”
“I’ve got to stop overanalyzing,” she muttered, only to pause and reconsider. “But what if I’m not thinking it through enough? What if they see me as just another cliché, scarfing down overpriced toast like it’s still 2016?”
Expert Commentary: The Overthinking Phenomenon
Dr. Rachel Sinclair, a social psychologist specializing in food-related anxiety, offered perspective on Garcia’s plight. “In today’s dining culture, every choice carries weight,” she explained. “With menus full of artisanal, vegan, locally-sourced options, selecting a dish becomes a public declaration. People worry they’ll be judged by how sophisticated—or unsophisticated—their pick seems, and that pressure can paralyze them.”
She added that, for some, a meal doubles as a social signal. “Opt for the ‘Quinoa-Curry Mash-Up,’ and you might unintentionally suggest you’re flaky or overly trendy,” Sinclair said. “A misstep can linger, subtly shaping how others perceive you long after the plates are cleared.”
A Victory for the Basic: Nadia’s Final Decision
In the end, Garcia committed to the “Superfood Bowl,” a choice that struck a careful balance between pretension and predictability. As the waiter walked away, she let out a quiet breath, a small sign of triumph.
“I feel okay about it,” she said, eyeing her dish with cautious optimism. “But if I see someone else with the same bowl, I might start questioning everything all over again.”
The café carried on around her as Garcia took her first bite, still pondering whether she’d truly threaded the needle. It’s a question likely to shadow her—at least until her next meal.
Nadia Garcia studies the menu with a mix of dread and determination. Every option feels like a judgment waiting to happen.
