Scarlett Syndrome

An eating habit based on an incident in Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind when Scarlett O'Hara is invited to the Wilkes BBQ but eats from a tray in her bedroom before going out. Scarlett habitually eats in private before going out in public so that others will believe she is feminine and graceful due to her small appetite. Mammy says that girls who do not eat before going out will "gobble like a hog" and put off potential beaux. At the BBQ, Scarlett only nibbles on a biscuit to the delight of the many men surrounding her, who see her lack of appetite as dainty and feminine.

Fear and avoidance of eating in public due to the connection of small appetite and attractiveness and large appetite and unattractiveness (for women).

-- "She always orders a salad then picks off my plate!"
-- "That's her Scarlett Syndrome. She's doesn't want to order a big plate herself and look like a pig."

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