Waitress has a phobia of tomatoes, but loves ketchup
Waitress Kayleigh Barker should probably consider a career change as she has a phobia of tomatoes.
She runs at the sight of one, which can be pretty tricky when someone orders a salad.
‘If there a tomato on my plate I will not go anywhere near it, I can’t even look at it,’ said the 22- year-old of Southampton.
‘One time, a friend filled up my pockets with a few tomatoes for a joke and they got squashed – I cried my eyes out. Another time, my boss made me close my eyes. She told me she had a present for me and put a tomato in my hand.
‘I just ran out of the restaurant. I couldn’t work for the rest of the day.'
Her fear of tomatoes – called Lycopersicoa phobia – doesn’t extend to ketchup, as she loves the stuff.
Psychologist Peter Hayward has 25 years’ experience treating phobias but was stumped by Kayleigh’s problem.
‘I think it is pretty weird, to be honest,’ he said.
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nkx9
At last - I cna put a name to this! I've suffered from Lycopersicoa phobia (and from people not taking it seriously) since I was a small child, and I'm now in my forties. Miss Barker can take comfort that she is not alone!
wifdsafa9
At last - I cna put a name to this! I've suffered from Lycopersicoa phobia (and from people not taking it seriously) since I was a small child, and I'm now in my forties. Miss Barker can take comfort that she is not alone!
kayleigh0330
ive often had to use that excuse so that poeple wouldnt ask questions or laugh!! i didnt think for 1 second when i was approached that id end up in this paper with a hideous picture of myself!! :)
kayleigh0330
iv often had to use that excuse so people dont ask questions and laugh! didnt think for 1 second when i was approached that id end up in this paper with a hideous picture of myself!! :)
George_2008
Its much more common than people think - I am a fellow sufferer and often have to resort to "I am allergic to tomatoes" in restaurants in order to ensure that not one seed manages to end up on my plate.