I can’t stomach this fad of taking pictures of food

Iam finally on the same page as a worldrenowned chef. Not when it comes to cooking, obvs, (he wishes!) but photographing food. While dining. Michel Roux has had enough of the trend by diners for snapping their meals for social media and has put up a sign asking customers at the three-michelinstarred Waterside Inn in Bray to refrain from doing so.

Hurrah! Enough now, everyone. I know I am in the minority when it comes to my general antipathy to anything online but I can’t be the only person who has had meals ruined by the distraction of other people whipping their phones out and taking pictures of their plates.

To me, this is the height of rudeness. I am from a family which considers eating in front of the telly an absolute no-no. I have tried to carry on the archaic practice of family chats over family meals wherever possible, with no electronic devices at the table. Particularly when eating out.

The idea that other people might want to see what I am about to eat – however fancy – would never occur to me, because I am not interested in the slightest in what they are about to eat. Or drink. Or wear.

I would imagine that if I had made a meal that people would be prepared to pay huge amounts of money for, I would be a bit miffed if they were more interested in taking pictures of it than tasting it.

When Mr P and myself were on holibags this summer, every time we were out for a drink in a scenic spot, we had to budge over while couples posed in front of said scenic spot with drinks in hand and either took selfies or asked us to do the honours.

I can only pity their poor friends who are presumably bombarded with these snaps on social media platforms. At least there was always the option for making up an excuse in the olden days when someone invited you round to look at their holiday snaps.

“To me, this is the height of rudeness