# Food Nazis Jess, calm kiwi, yosemite and even sven ... front and center **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 14, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021 "2005-02-14T16:23:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/81 "2005-02-14T20:22:35Z")
Um, get treatment? For what exactly? Am I neurotic/ill/hypochondrical/attention seeking for disliking many popular foods? How so? Define popular. Better yet, define normal eating. I am able to meet my nutritional demands daily with my diet. We live in an age of tremendous variety of food choices. Mine aren’t the same as yours. And guess what? My food aversions are not the same as most posters here, either. I love seafood, for example, and if it weren’t so damn expensive, would eat if several times a week. So, if I won’t eat onions raw or cabbage (don’t like all cruciform veggies, btw) or peppers—now I’m in need of “treatment”? How arrogant is that? Marginalize those that don’t share your preferences, already! That’ll work! :smack: I have done seen the light! We’re eatin’ Mexican tonight 'cause **Stonebow** says it all in me head and I need “treatment” for my abhorrence. Kinda like aversion therapy in reverse, I suppose… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/82 "2005-02-14T20:23:52Z")
> [@Stonebow](#): > > I think that this bears repeating. Preach it, brother! > > Look, I think I explained my position well enough, but it leads me back to my first question- as this is not really on the ‘normal’ spectrum of human behavior, have any of you sought any sort of treatment? Because I don’t know that I could live with restrictions on my actions as severe as those some of you speak of. > > I don’t care if it’s physical or psychological, or both. But it sounds like it sucks, and you’d want to do something about it. What sort of treatment would you propose? Removal of taste buds? I’m sorry, I think I can live my life without eating broccoli. I’d rather not have my tongue surgically altered, if it can be avoided. I can eat other types of vegetables without that bitter flavor. Sure, I’d like to be able to eat food that’s a bit more spicy, but who cares? It’s only a big deal when other people feel the need to force their tastes on me. > [@Stonebow](#): > > And I’ll reiterate- it’s the drama queens that piss foodies off rather than any sort of preference. And yes, if you’re a regular dinner companion to someone, it gets old real quick. Sure it does, just like the fact that one of the guys I dated wouldn’t eat black olives which I love on pizza. It’s called compromising. He ate chinese food 3 to 4 times a week with his buddies at lunch. Why would he then come home and complain that I didn’t like Chinese food? It’s one type of food that I don’t like. Mexican, Italian, Japanese…I can find something to eat at any of those places. I just don’t fucking like Chinese food, why is that so difficult for some people to accept? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/83 "2005-02-14T20:35:04Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Why is it so goddamn important to you all that we _choke down_ the things YOU like? Look man, I don’t give a damn whether you eat fried turds covered in ranchero sauce. All I was saying after my initial exasperated post was that many people perceive a lot of food pickiness as being kind of histrionic and prissy, especially when it involves a group of people going out. I mean, if there’s a group of us going to eat somewhere, and someone proclaims “I CAN’T eat tomatoes.” is quizzed, is found to have no dire food allergy or other medical problem, but just doesn’t like the taste. Then this person puts the kibosh on several restaraunts because of said tomatoes, that picky person starts grating on people’s nerves real quick. It’s a whole lot less annoying to accomodate someone who has a legitimate problem, rather than someone who’s being a big baby about things. I really doubt anyone in this thread cares one whit what you eat on your own time, but I’m sure all of us on my side of the discussion agree that sometimes picky eaters need to suck it up. They’re not special- everyone has stuff they don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/84 "2005-02-14T20:37:45Z")
Actually, upon further consideration, I can edit my Rule For Civilized Dining, as posted above, down to one simple sentence: **SHUT THE FUCK UP.** Takes care of everything, on both sides of the equation. Don’t like the food at the restaurant your friends have chosen? Shut the fuck up and don’t eat; whining about it will annoy your companions and won’t do anything to help you. On the flip side, is your dining companion not eating? Shut the fuck up and ignore it; what’s the goal in bringing it up, pressuring your friend to eat food he doesn’t like? My, what a pal YOU are. Besides, it’s _his_ dinner; why the hell do you care? Eat dinner, don’t eat dinner, whatever; just shut the fuck up about it and ignore what everyone else is doing. I would hope you’d both have more interesting things to discuss anyhow. As for the people who have the balls to offer commentary on what their dining companions are eating (“ICK, you’re eating SEAFOOD?!”), I think it barely requires saying that these folks, more than anyone else mentioned, need to shut the fuck up. Yes, it’s **STFU** ®! Try it! You’ll love it! It makes every meal a hell of a lot less annoying! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/85 "2005-02-14T20:45:05Z")
There are exactly two things in my eating experience that, quite literally and involuntarily, cause me to gag: uncrisped pork fat and asparagus that’s been (over)cooked to “sliminess.” I **will** not eat them, as I have no desire to subject anyone else at the table to the sight of my attempting to master my gag reflex. There are a number of foods that I will graciously decline because I dislike the taste of. To start with, any fruit salad containing grapefruit tastes to me like the sourest grapefruit it’s ever been your displeasure to eat, unsugared, regardless of how little grapefruit is in it or how much it’s been sweetened. The sole exception to this is that I can drink pineapple-grapefruit juice; apparently the pineapple counteracts the grapefruit as far as my taste buds are concerned. There are several hot-pepper dishes that also have the same sort of effect on me: the spiciness of the pepper overpowers anything else to leave me gasping for breath. Barb is almost incapable of eating cucurbits of any sort: they cause massive indigestion, for reasons we haven’t been able to figure out. In normal society, we’re quite capable of making a meal out of what else is served without partaking of foods we find it difficult to eat. Since I reached adulthood, I’ve never had the displeasure of having a Food Nazi decide that I need to eat something distasteful to me, and attempt to enforce it on me. ---
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/86 "2005-02-14T20:57:20Z")
Isn’t it considered polite to at least try to eat what someone serves you, especially if they worked hard at making it? I also agree that trying to force someone to eat something is just as rude as refusing to try that something. (This is barring legitimate medical excuses, such as allergies etc.) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/87 "2005-02-14T20:57:52Z")
This is really kind of a sad thread. I’m hardly a wallflower when it comes to expressing my opinion, but this thread is getting \*really \* personal, and lots of long time dopers here on both sides of the issue, that would normally be tolerant of each other’s preferences and foibles regarding politics, sexual preferences and religious beliefs etc. are seething with anger, and beating the crap out of each other over dinner table and social manners. Elmwood, I respect you as a doper and for your professional acumen as a planner, but no further good can come of this trainwreck. I would suggest you ask a mod to close it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/88 "2005-02-14T21:00:50Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I mean, if there’s a group of us going to eat somewhere, and someone proclaims tomatoes." is quizzed, is found to have no dire food allergy or other medical problem, but just doesn’t like the taste. Then this person puts the kibosh on several restaraunts I don’t see how that would ever put the kibosh on several restaraunts. I go to specific, seafood specialty restaurants, and can always get a steak or prime rib. Honestly, I’ve never seen a ‘picky eater’ ruin a groups plans. Personally, I think you have blown it way out of proportion. > [@bump](#): > > Look man, I don’t give a damn whether you eat fried turds covered in ranchero sauce. But not liking, even hating the taste of seafood is “retarded garbage.” Pardon me if I take your new, live and let live position with a grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/89 "2005-02-14T21:00:56Z")
Hey, I’ve made two posts asking for tolerance of food preferences (which is pretty sad that one should have to ask for that), but I seem to be ignored. What other people eat is nobody else’s business. Period. ---
**Author:** ![The\_27th\_Evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ebca7d/32.png) [@The\_27th\_Evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_27th_Evil)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/90 "2005-02-14T21:02:02Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Besides, as previous threads have shown, it doesn’t matter even for those who DO have allergies, they’re still hounded and told, “Oh come on, one little bite! How bad can it be! It won’t kill you!” A babysitter tried to slip onion powder in food once when I was too young to realize what was going on (It’s all in her head- her little 4- year-old head!). She was sorry later- I projectile vomited on her. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/91 "2005-02-14T21:03:28Z")
I _love_ this thread. After the all the hoo-hah about **TRU** {TM}, it’s great to see some good old-fashioned foul-mouthed bickering about something totally unimportant - I mean this very sincerely; I think we’re going to be OK, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/92 "2005-02-14T21:03:37Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I mean, if there’s a group of us going to eat somewhere, and someone proclaims “I CAN’T eat tomatoes.” is quizzed, is found to have no dire food allergy or other medical problem, but just doesn’t like the taste. Then this person puts the kibosh on several restaraunts because of said tomatoes, that picky person starts grating on people’s nerves real quick. It’s a whole lot less annoying to accomodate someone who has a legitimate problem, rather than someone who’s being a big baby about things. > > . That’s a little melodramatic, dontcha think? I don’t like fresh tomatoes and I can not recall a SINGLE instance where this has put the dampers on a dining experience for others. Is the ONLY thing the restaurant serves tomatoes? Every single dish?? No sweat, I like stewed tomatoes, tomato relish, catsup, tomato sauce, salsa, grilled tomatoes with cheese,plenty of menu options to satisfy me! Now pass them fried turds, hold the ranchero. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/93 "2005-02-14T21:15:31Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I think there’s another issue at work here. Many of the self-identified picky eaters say they “can’t eat” or “can’t tolerate”, when it sounds more like “don’t like”. > > **enipla** , do you have any allergic reactions to seafood? Anything uncontrollable? Or do you just not like the taste? Oh, Jesus fucking Christ. If you hear somebody say they “Can’t stand reality TV,” do you assume they break out in hives if they watch _Big Brother_? Yes, I _can_ eat seafood. It’s just really fucking unpleasant to do. Why is this a fucking issue for _anyone_ other than myself? Keep your eyes on your own damn plate and just shut. The. Fuck. UP! > [@](#): > > I mean, if there’s a group of us going to eat somewhere, and someone proclaims “I CAN’T eat tomatoes.” is quizzed, is found to have no dire food allergy or other medical problem, but just doesn’t like the taste. Then this person puts the kibosh on several restaraunts because of said tomatoes, that picky person starts grating on people’s nerves real quick. It’s a whole lot less annoying to accomodate someone who has a legitimate problem, rather than someone who’s being a big baby about things. Setting aside for the moment that you’re so full of shit you’ve got mushrooms growing on your scalp, why is wanting to have a meal you actually enjoy eating not a “legitimate” problem? If there’s someone in your group who doesn’t like tomatos, just don’t invite them with you when you go to the Tomato-rama Emporium. I guarantee you, your (almost assuredly mythical) picky eater will be happy to spend a meal without your food harpy ass perched on their shoulder second guessing everything they order. > [@Stonebow](#): > > Look, I think I explained my position well enough, but it leads me back to my first question- as this is not really on the ‘normal’ spectrum of human behavior, have any of you sought any sort of treatment? Because I don’t know that I could live with restrictions on my actions as severe as those some of you speak of. When you were a child, you were dropped on you head a lot, weren’t you? > [@gobear](#): > > Hey, I’ve made two posts asking for tolerance of food preferences (which is pretty sad that one should have to ask for that), but I seem to be ignored. I, for one, appreciated your comments. > [@Polycarp](#): > > Barb is almost incapable of eating cucurbits of any sort… Wassa “cucurbit”? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/94 "2005-02-14T21:20:33Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Hey, I’ve made two posts asking for tolerance of food preferences (which is pretty sad that one should have to ask for that), but I seem to be ignored. > > What other people eat is nobody else’s business. Period. I’m not ignoring you. I’m waiting for you to finish the Pulp Fiction scene, because that is in my top ten funny moments in screen history. And\*\* Dio\*\*, you seem to be forgetting how large a role smell plays in how we perceive taste. Although \*\*Miller’\*\*s claim needs no defending, it is entirely possible for the smell of fish and other seafood to be so overwhelming as to override the differences in flavor and render it “all the same.” I used to clean fish for a seafood restaurant eight hours a day and it would take scrubbing my hands with bleach, followed by a dip in the ocean and a shower before people would let me around them, although I barely noticed the smell. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/95 "2005-02-14T21:28:09Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Hey, I’ve made two posts asking for tolerance of food preferences (which is pretty sad that one should have to ask for that), but I seem to be ignored. > > What other people eat is nobody else’s business. Period. If only there were a voice of reason in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/96 "2005-02-14T21:28:54Z")
I don’t care what other people eat, although I do appreciate people being polite about the foods they don’t enjoy. My own kids have been taught the “Never say YUCK” rule, so I think anyone is capable of doing the same. I can’t imagine that everyone, even those complaining most vociferously about “picky” eaters, likes or enjoys EVERY food they’ve ever tasted. Seriously…you guys don’t have any food that you leave on the plate or the buffet, just because you don’t like the taste or texture? I’ll eat damn near anything, but I have my leave-behinds too. I even have a handy-dandy list, should it ever be necessary: I don’t eat things that have to be shot out of a tree. I don’t eat internal organs. I don’t eat anything that would cost me $12 to see at a zoo. I don’t eat amphibians. And after seeing fried crayfish (crawdads? same thing?) served at an expensive restaurant, I added a new one: I don’t eat anything that resembles fried spiders. So call me picky if you like, but my response would be something along the lines of…don’t you have anything better to bitch about? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/97 "2005-02-14T21:42:57Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > I usually find something on a menu, if not many menu items, that I’ll eat. I’m frustrated becuase people think I should be able to eat EVERYTHING on the menu, with gusto, and like it. I’d like to … I really would, but I can’t. I’ll sometimes order an item and substitute one item. More than that, and I won’t bother; it’s too much trouble for those in the kitchen. If it’s a high-end restaurant where the menu item is considered “art” and the chef would probably take offense at a substitution, I just don’t bother - I find another menu item. Why should that bother you? **elmwood** , I applaud your respect for the kitchen and the chef’s art, however, many people dont’ think that far ahead. I’ve eaten with (or just overheard) many people who make so many substitutions or specifications to a meal that it’s hardly a menu item. This really grates on me. I know it shouldn’t bother me, but it does. All I can think is, “if you have that many issues with the item that you picked out from that big, long list, why don’t you just eat at home?” Also, I’ve seen people who order like this turn the waitstaff against the whole table. I don’t want my service to be slow and ill-tempered because one of my group doesn’t want peppers, tomatoes, cheese, bacon or eggs on their chef salad. I’ve digressed. My point was: thank you for being considerate. But know that not everyone is so insightful as to how their behavior impacts those around them. > [@Zette](#): > > I can understand being picky- I mean, I’m not going to eat something I find gross- but don’t comment on other people’s food and make faces. That’s the childish part of picky that bothers most people. THAT’S the grow up part. Amen, sister. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/98 "2005-02-14T21:43:12Z")
Grr. Post deleted by angry hamsters. I’m a nonpicky eater who doesn’t give a crap about picky eaters. Be picky, what do I care? I think people are overreacting to **Stonebow’s** suggestion of getting help, though. Several people in this thread expressed dismay over their inability to eat a wide range of foods; suggesting that they seek professional help is a wholly appropriate response to someone’s admission of wishing they could change something about themselves. If your diet of saltines and Velveeta makes you happy, I don’t think he’s talking to you. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/99 "2005-02-14T21:46:37Z")
I wouldn’t want anyone making themselves uncomfortable at my table just to please me. But when I was living with a family in Denmark, I adored my hostess so much that I would have eaten the corpse of an ancient Viking if it had been placed before me. One of the two things that makes me gag is liver. My hostess frequently made a meat loaf using liver. I never gave her the slightest indication that I had any difficulty at all. I would stop breathing and seal off my trachea by closing my glottis when I took a bite and then immediately wash it down with water. Even then, dealing with the after taste took will power. I must have gone through ten liver loaves that summer. When I went back for a visit at Christmas, she had a surprise for me on the first day. It was there waiting – already baked. After all, I had attacked her baked liver loaves with such enthusiasm the summer before. I’m sure she was moved by the tears in my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021/100 "2005-02-14T21:52:06Z")
> [@Red Stilettos](#): > > Also, I’ve seen people who order like this turn the waitstaff against the whole table. I don’t want my service to be slow and ill-tempered because one of my group doesn’t want peppers, tomatoes, cheese, bacon or eggs on their chef salad. That’s my mom for you. I’ve learned not to take her to my favorite restaurants, because she’ll make the wait staff hate me. Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-nazis-jess-calm-kiwi-yosemite-and-even-sven-front-and-center/290021.md?page=6)