Culinary Cowards...

hanna1210

So, maybe this should be in "chit-chat," but I'm talking food here.

Anyone else encounter Culinary Cowards? This is something we talk about in my family, not trying new things simply because they're new. I have a few friends like this and it drives me nuts! We can't go some places because they've never tried and don't want to *risk* it. Yet, I still go to the same sad places around here with them all the time where I know I don't like the food - and half the time, it's not that good for you.

And on a dietary front, isn't it a good thing to introduce yourself to new foods?

End rant:ohwell: ... discuss

MikeSEA

Food is just one of those things people have wildly different views on. I have a few friends that have gone decades without trying new things because they tried once when they were 11 and didn't like it. Well gee, do you think maybe your tastes might have changed since then? Or perhaps the preparation or quality of whatever it was just wasn't up to snuff?

I don't discuss food options with these people, nor do I eat with them often. If people want to be ignorantly stubborn, that's their choice. I'm glad they can find food they like, as hard as that seems to be sometimes.

janetb21

I'm married to a guy who I wouldn't quite call a culinary coward, but he is very culinarily hesitant. He's come a long way over the years though. I keep encouraging him to try new things.

lizsmith1976

Yes! I am so with you!

I will try any food at least once. I travel a lot, and get to eat lots of different things that way. If the locals eat it and call it food, it must be fine. Hey, I may love it! I love trying new restaurants too, but also I have been trying to duplicate things that I eat at restaurants in a lower calorie lower sodium version. Luckily I have some friends who are willing to come over and guinea pig.

hanna1210

Thanks, glad to see I'm not the only one out there!

I mean, I understand having a comfort level, but whoa... And Mike, you totally nailed it on the head. My sister still won't eat lima beans since a rough experience when we were little (she's now 31!), literally hasn't touched them since :noway:

dls06

The people that really anger me are the ones who say "I only like pizza, chicken fingers, cereal, soda and chocolate and I can't lose weight. I tried other things but they make me sick to my stomach." Any ideas? Really, I don't like everything I eat but some things are a have to? Just eat it! Sorry for the rant.

maria1993

I just encountered this at FoodLion the other night. I was buying some beef heart and the cashier was like "you eat this?". I said yes so she went on a rampage. She won't eat chitterlings, pig feet, scrapple, any kind of fish, grits.. Etc, Etc.. And that was from a african american, in the south! I told her that I eat most of that, plus with friends from Africa I eat plenty of their food.. Goat, whole anchovies with their heads, organ meats... Really, I will try anything, just as long as it doesn't have blood in it. I've had rabbit, I plan to try squirrel. My friends fix golden egg plants, which are supposed to be ornamental due to their bitterness.. But after you eat it 2 or 3 times during a season it doesn't seem as bitter. I often scour the oriental markets for different things, I've cooked up chicken feet, snails, fish that naturally tasted like lemon, baby octopus. I bought fermented cabbage and roasted eel. having been raised in a small town I spent a ton of time at my grandparents in the country, we would walk through the woods chewing sour tree leafs, wild huckleberries, black berries, raspberries, dandelion, goose berries.. Mmmmm

I will really try anything, I am open to new foods. You know, what would happen to these picky people if something happened and they didn't have the option of going to the store to to buy their favorites? Personally, I know how to find wild foods. And I know how to slaughter and butcher an animal, I also know how to prepare every single edible part of it. I am prepared to live on the wild side

HMonsterX

I'm one of these so-called "cowards". People say your tastes change. Mine haven't. I've tried several new things, none of which were even vaguely palatable to me. Taste is such a personal thing. They say the first bite is with the eye, well, first bite is with my nose, then my eye. There are things i wont even try as it smells disgusting, or looks disgusting.

And I'm definitely not going to "just eat it!". There's no need to! I've got enough troubles in my life without making food one of them...

I've already accepted I'll never the healthiest person, and never get that six pack etc, and I'm fine with that. I'd rather eat things i like and be 80% healthier than force myself to eat "crap" i dont like, clean up the vomit every day, and be 90% healthier.