I’m a waitress with a ketchup phobia – here’s how I face my fear and do my job

This intrepid restaurant server isn’t slogging away.

An unlucky waitress has revealed her phobia rather inappropriate for someone in the food service industry: the fear of tomato-based sauces.

Alexandriah Govan, 23, explained how her “fear of ketchup” has affected her work, sharing a TikTok video of her mouthing and grunting as she fills bottles of Heinz ketchup.

“I developed a fear of ketchup after my sister sprayed a bottle on me,” the Glasgow waitress told Jam Press, adding that she’s had the phobia since she was 12.

“The smell, even the color, makes me shiver.”

Govan — who dislikes most other sauces, such as mayo — said she hates the condiment “so much” that she’s even put off by the sound of the bottle being squeezed by patrons at the restaurant.

“When I handle ketchup at my job, I have to hide and get upset with it,” she said. “I think the smell of vinegar puts me off more.”

While it seems unorthodox, the phobia – which is apparently called “mortuusequusphobia” – seemed to be prevalent for people in the comments section. Some even said they would “cry” if they had to handle the spices.

“I really thought I was the only person in the world afraid of ketchup,” one viewer wrote.

“Ketchup is the devil,” commented another.

“I HATE KETCHUP SO MUCH,” one user exclaimed.

“Ketchup phobia is so real,” said someone else.

“I thought it was just me with the fear that I can’t take it,” wrote another.

However, some viewers rolled their eyes.

“It’s ketchup dude, give it a break,” one person scolded.

“Can’t remember the last time anyone lived after dealing with ketchup,” said someone else.

“I like ketchup and can eat spoonfuls of it,” added another.