# Do you eat the "good" half first or second? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057 "2005-12-10T19:25:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/1 "2005-12-10T19:25:34Z")
I always eat the “good” half second – the half of the bagel with the sesame seeds (or whatever) on it, the more interesting of the two slices of pizza when I get two different kinds, the larger half of the sandwich. How about you? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/2 "2005-12-10T20:23:16Z")
There’s no bad half of a bagel. However, I do eat the wide end of a wedge of pie first, just in case the crust is disappointing. I don’t want my last memory of a pie to be a so-so crust. I dive into the middle of a steak or chop first. Then I jump around from end to middle, never finishing with the end, which could be dry. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/3 "2005-12-10T20:29:00Z")
Good half second. Anticipation is half the fun. ---
**Author:** ![Witch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Witch)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/4 "2005-12-10T20:31:08Z")
I always save the best for last 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/5 "2005-12-10T22:18:56Z")
Another good half second. Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/6 "2005-12-10T22:29:16Z")
The good half is the reward for eating the not-so-good half, and as such, is eaten last. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/7 "2005-12-10T23:15:07Z")
If I’m for sure going to eat both halves, good half second. If there’s a chance I’m going to eat part of it and the rest will go to waste/get thrown away or get eaten later when it’s stale and cold and not nearly as good, though, I might rethink that strategy. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/8 "2005-12-11T02:52:16Z")
I always leave the best of everything to last. Anticipation of something good prolongs pleasure. I believe that delayed gratification builds intestinal fortitude and builds character. I try to instill this in my daughters, but it’s hard since my wife is just the opposite. I can never share entrees with [del]the ol’ battle ax[/del] my dear wife at restaurants because she eats all the goodies first. Good thing I [del]drew up an airtight pre-nupt.[/del] love her so dearly. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/9 "2005-12-11T03:19:57Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > The good half is the reward for eating the not-so-good half, and as such, is eaten last. My sentiments exactly. A first grade friend shared the wisdom of saving the best for last, and it has been my policy ever since. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/10 "2005-12-11T03:26:18Z")
I started with that when I was a kid. I used to eat any vegetables I didn’t particularly like first and then would settle down to enjoying the now perfect meal. I only vary this if I don’t think I can eat it all. Then the less wanted stuff is pushed aside as I progress. ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/11 "2005-12-11T03:49:51Z")
wow. I have skimmed briefly, but I think i’m the only best is best first guy. I don’t know what (if)it means, maybe I’m looking over my shoulder, If we have to scatter, better to have eaten the good part? I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/12 "2005-12-11T03:53:21Z")
> [@ITR champion](#): > > My sentiments exactly. A first grade friend shared the wisdom of saving the best for last, and it has been my policy ever since. It also applies to meals in general, as **don’t ask** indicated. I still eat all my vegetables first. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/13 "2005-12-11T14:23:37Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > There’s no bad half of a bagel. 😕 Sure there is, if you cut around the equator. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/14 "2005-12-11T17:12:46Z")
My appetite is small, so I always eat the good half first. What if I’m full before I get to the good stuff? This is especially true of a ribeye steak. I know it’s **all** good, but the part with the streaks of fat in it is the best. With a bowl of chili, the meat’s gone before the beans. Same with pasta – the meatballs, shrimp, or chicken is eaten before the pasta. Comes from growing up poor, I think. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/15 "2005-12-11T17:38:07Z")
I tend to eat my favorite part last. ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/16 "2005-12-11T17:50:39Z")
With bagels I eat the good half first. I gather whatever crumbs (toasted onion bits, sesame seeds) have fallen off the good half from the wrapping and sprinkle them on the bad half. I don’t eat anything I don’t like, and I like most vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/17 "2005-12-11T19:01:15Z")
I leave the best for last, though I have been known to open the bottle of pop too early in the journey. 😉 There are also times when the only way is to alternate, namely chocolate fudge cake. I’ll take alternate mouthfuls of dry cake and gooey fudge, to space out the pleasure and minimise the tastebud overload of really rich fudge. Same goes for the crumby base and the creamy cheese in cheese cake. Are there any cake shops open on Sundays, I wonder. And why aren’t there any drooling smileys? ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/18 "2005-12-11T20:07:20Z")
Best last, always (since I always finish). Sandwiches, pizzas, pies: crusts first. Cakes: Icing last. Eggs: yolk last. Nectarines are the bane of my life since the sweetest part is usually nearer the skin! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/19 "2005-12-11T20:22:34Z")
Most definately second. When I was a kid, you put a piece of cake in front of me and halfway through it’d just be an icing superstructure. Even today, eating a ribeye really is just a progressive removal of lesser pieces until only a final, perfectly moist and tender, large and appropriately seasoned, memorable bite remains. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057/20 "2005-12-12T19:01:53Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > 😕 Sure there is, if you cut around the equator. Maybe for you, dear **twickster;** but I’m especially fond of bagels, and every crumb is splendid for me. The part without the seeds/onion/whatever is just as perfect as the top. If the baker sprinkles cornmeal on the baking sheet, it might be better. Oh, baby! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-the-good-half-first-or-second/335057.md?page=2)