Do you avoid “messy food” in public?

I created this poll because of a situation I found myself in at work the other day. While it may not seem like a big deal, I felt very uncomfortable at the time....I just graduated college and started a professional job and I want to fit in.

I was in a seminar and during the break a table with snacks was put out. Without thinking, I grabbed a plate with cheese cubes and homemade tortilla chips with salsa. When I got back to the table the women started commenting on not eating the salsa because it was too messy for eating in public/at work.

I ended up feeling very self conscious about my food choices. Is this normal behavior? Should I have eaten my chips dry because I was at work?