I just overheard a coworker saying “Oh, I would never try that in my life!”, in a discussion of food. (This was about consuming a steak cooked less than medium well). It made me wonder what life is like for those who refuse to try new food, especially those who refuse to try mundane things like fried shrimp.

Why limit yourself? It seems like such a closed-minded way to view food. Help me understand?

EDIT:

I wasn’t going to do this, but I’m tired of replying to people and will post this at the top.

The person that prompted this question is a close-minded piece of crap. He has no sensory issues, just a shitty mindset, with ignorance and prejudice on display with no shame. I have the pleasure of hearing his annoying shit every night.

The knee-jerk reactions I have received from people in this post have had me examine my own knee-jerk reactions, attributing malice to that which may be misunderstanding rather than bigotry or hatred. This is what I am taking away from this post. That even I should take a chill pill every now and again; it’s not all a tragedy.

I will not delete it, because there are some very thoughtful replies that explain different viewpoints, that people took time to type out. It would be disrespectful to them to do that.

Call me what you like. Don’t care. I will not be replying to any other replies.

  • Feathercrown@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    For the same reason I wouldn’t willingly get stung by most stinging insects. It’s an unpleasant and unnecessary sensation.

  • FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca
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    6 days ago

    Why do some people feel a need to pressure people to do things that make them uncomfortable? Who am I hurting by choosing what I eat?

    • Jessica@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOP
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      6 days ago

      Not on it. I’m asking a question to the narrow minded individuals, not those that have allergies/sensory issues. Maybe don’t take things so serious?

      • Smoogs@lemmy.world
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        6 days ago

        you call picky eaters narrow minded but say no one should take this personally? hhaha what is this negging shit? this shit here sounds like the type of shit a sociopath says that no one should be obliged to answer to let alone waste their time on. go choke on your own farts.

  • Smoogs@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    Not picky. allergies. But it is the real assholes sure love to treat those with allergies like we’re just picky.

    either way: what i chose to eat and like is none of all your damned business.

  • matelt@feddit.uk
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    8 days ago

    I’m genuinely scared of eating eggs, don’t know why I’ve always been like that even as a baby. The texture, the smell of plain eggs are just unbearable and if I eat a food that tastes eggy I might have a slight panic attack. Mushrooms as well, I hate them with a burning passion. Can’t explain why.

  • cobysev@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    Growing up, my family has always accused me of being a picky eater, and it comes up every time we’re eating together. Every family get-together, it’s always a big deal whether I’m going to eat the prepared meal or not. My sister especially likes to offer to make a separate meal just for me because I’m “sooo picky!”

    I can’t get it through their skulls that I’m less of a picky eater than they are - I’m just vocal about the very few specific foods I decided I don’t like. Which happens to be in a lot of recipes my extended family makes.

    I spent 20 years traveling the world with the US military and I made it a point to try local cuisine everywhere I went. I became a bit of a foodie, and some of my favorite foods are from foreign countries. Every time family members came to visit me in other countries, I’d spend half of their visit just introducing them to amazing cuisine in the local area.

    We’d eat out practically every day to give them a taste of the local culture. And surprisingly, most of them didn’t care for it. They wanted their “American food” instead. They weren’t very adventurous when it came to trying new things. There’s nothing worse than going to a ramen shop in Japan or a döner shop in Germany and having your family ask if we can go find a McDonald’s instead.

    But sure, I’m a picky eater because I’ve hated squash since I was a child, and that’s apparently a staple of every family banquet.

    • Ashenlux@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      8 days ago

      It kinda sounds like they are intentionally putting squash in everything just for the opportunity to pick on you.

    • IWW4@lemmy.zip
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      8 days ago

      I can relate. My mom would make little snide comments about how i was a picky eater and how i would check everything i took out of the fridge.

      One time i got sick of hearing it and biting my tongue so i went off.

      I told her, her cooking was fucking terrible and she never cleaned out her fridge so there would always be rotting food in there. She was a Brit who grew up in that countries decade long depression.

      • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
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        8 days ago

        Hey same, except my mom’s mom went through the depression here in the states and it rubbed off on her.

        She loves to call out how particular I am about food, when actually I love trying new foods! I simply don’t like getting food poisoning from whatever hot dish/casserole she made 4 months ago that has been sitting in the fridge. At Christmas one year she brought out canned whipped cream, rediwhip, and it was 3 years expired! I didn’t notice and was sick for a week!

  • determinist@kbin.earth
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    8 days ago

    Autism.

    Textures & temperatures are problematic. I stay with what I know so minimise the chance of freaking out.

  • Glytch@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    I reject the tone of this question because I wasn’t given a choice in my sensory issues and you turning it into a mortal judgement about me is fucked up.

    • Jessica@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOP
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      7 days ago

      I’m sorry that you feel that way. Do you intentionally avoid food because of a narrow-minded world view? Or do you have sensory issues that make it difficult for you to handle certain textures/flavors/smells? I thought I was pretty clear in that I am asking people who avoid food because of prejudice why they do such a thing.

      But yeah, this is somehow a moral judgment about you. 🤦🏻‍♀️

    • krashmo@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      You absolutely can choose your emotions. It’s sort of terrifying that people seem to agree with this statement.

        • krashmo@lemmy.world
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          8 days ago

          You can choose to focus on the positive aspects of their life and your relationship, yes. That’s not exactly the same as not grieving but it isn’t allowing your emotions to drive your actions either.

          Either way, that’s quite a bit different than taking a bite of food you don’t like, isn’t it?