The embarrassing effect of Squidward’s “being in love” with a patty is intended. Enthusiastic and amorous people are equated, because in the eyes of other people both look ridiculous, limited and incomprehensible. Why are they making such a fuss about a thing / person, which / who isn’t that outknocking when looked at soberly?
It's strange; in any other episode, the Krabby Patty is just a food stuff. But when I watch Just One Bite, I equate it to a drug; someone who tastes it all day every day is used to it (SpongeBob) whereas someone's who's tasted it for the first time gets an intense high (Squiddy). It's a matter of tolerance, to tell the truth.
Yes, I'm making a vain attempt to be professional!!
“relationship” to his clarinet. While his tootling only irritates others, he nearly treats the clarinet like a girlfriend and even lets it “sleep” on its own pillow in his bed. This shall also express that Squidward is screwy and lonely.
Ironically, I'm working on a story in which Clari (clarinet) - how do I put it? - becomes one of the fish folk. Yuh, it's a plot line resciment of Pinocchio, with romantic illusions.