# Is being a picky eater inherently bad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 8, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728 "2010-03-08T15:44:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/181 "2010-03-15T18:48:12Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > I was talking about people who simply “don’t like” and/or refuse to try most foods. Why do you put “don’t like” in quotation marks? Are you under the impression that I can _choose_ to like certain foods? Get back to me when you’ve _chosen_ to enjoy the smell of other people’s farts, or the sound of nails across a chalkboard. No no, seriously, you’ll like the smell of this fart, it’s not sulphury like other farts. Just put your face here. BRAAAAAAP! ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/182 "2010-03-15T18:50:58Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > :rolleyes: > > Great, a foodie fundamentalist ready to pity the unenlightened. _That’s_ useful. > > Your analogies are flawed and irrelevant. I am not better than John Doe because I’ve seen more movies than John Doe. My life experience isn’t richer. He’s just focused on things other than movies. Incuriosity may be a bad thing in the most general sense - if you are incurious about everything. But incuriosity on any specific topic is no vice. > > It’s like a linguist who speaks a dozen languages pitying the people who speak two or fewer, because of all the richness they’ll miss out on - but not realizing that for other people, things are valued differently and have found other sources of richness. It’s an ego affirmation bias - whatever \*\*you \*\*like is **important**. There have been a number of times I’ve come into a thread and had a half-formed reply ready and found that you’ve already said exactly what I wanted to say, and better. Drinks are on me if we’re ever in the same place. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/183 "2010-03-15T18:51:43Z")
Most of those blocks are pschological. You could open your mind and give things an objective chance if you wanted to. Picky eaters aren’t that way because they were helplessly born with particularly sensitive palates. They simply convince themselves they don’t like things without ever tasting them, just like my kids do. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/184 "2010-03-15T18:53:58Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > Really? If you were out with friends (non-relatives, at least,) you would actually make a rude comment about what they were eating? That’s what A. Neville was asking. I get acting that way around your family, but would you really impose that on others? Can we not make this about another area where **Diogenes** ’s standard of politeness is different than everyone else’s? ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/185 "2010-03-15T19:00:40Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Most of those blocks are pschological. You could open your mind and give things an objective chance if you wanted to. Picky eaters aren’t that way because they were helplessly born with particularly sensitive palates. They simply convince themselves they don’t like things without ever tasting them, just like my kids do. I have objectively eaten broccoli a number of ways. I have also objectively gagged each time. I didn’t convince myself to gag, don’t be ridiculous. I put it in my mouth, and brain sends a message back. “EVERYBODY OUT!” I don’t understand how it can be said that you can “choose” to like the taste of something. If that was true, wouldn’t I simply choose to enjoy only things that are good and healthy, and choose not to like things that are unhealthy? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/186 "2010-03-15T19:07:44Z")
I hate broccoli too, but we’re not talking about having a few things we don’t like (we all have that), we’re talking about eaters who limit themselves to a very narrow range of items that they won’t venture outside of. There are quite a few things that we can learn to appreciate and like – even love – if we open our minds to it. I hated bleu cheese as a kid. Now it’s one of my favorite things in the world. Most people don’t like beer when they first try it, but many learn to love it. Palates are expandable, not fixed. You’d even like broccoli if you were hungry enough. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/187 "2010-03-15T19:21:33Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I hate broccoli too, but we’re not talking about having a few things we don’t like (we all have that), we’re talking about eaters who limit themselves to a very narrow range of items that they won’t venture outside of. So expand what I said to include everything but a narrow a range of items. Am I now suddenly being choosy, or am I obeying the messages my taste buds and brain cook up? I’m not saying that palates can’t change, or you can’t learn to appreciate new things, but _must_ people do that? And if their palate doesn’t change, is it by choice? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/188 "2010-03-15T19:26:05Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You’d even like broccoli if you were hungry enough. And you’d like human flesh if you were hungry enough. That doesn’t mean you should try to develop a taste for it now. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/189 "2010-03-15T19:38:45Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > And you’d like human flesh if you were hungry enough. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Obviously, everyone here who isn’t a picky eater loves human flesh. You’ve truly sussed us out, foodies are actually zombies in salmon-colored sweaters and BMW convertibles. And trust me, human arms are really tasty, especially in a red wine reduction with peppercorn. You’ll love it. I promise. Just try a bite. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/190 "2010-03-15T19:40:24Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > So expand what I said to include everything but a narrow a range of items. Am I now suddenly being choosy, or am I obeying the messages my taste buds and brain cook up? Now you’re into pchological block territory. It all probably is anyway. Your “messages” are entirely self-generated, self-fulfilling prophecies. > [@](#): > > I’m not saying that palates can’t change, or you can’t learn to appreciate new things, but _must_ people do that? And if their palate doesn’t change, is it by choice? Yes, it’s by choice, an no they don’t _have_ to change, but I think it’s a sign of immaturity and self-absorbtion if they’re unwilling to try. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/191 "2010-03-15T19:57:00Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Now you’re into pchological block territory. It all probably is anyway. Your “messages” are entirely self-generated, self-fulfilling prophecies. What about other “messages” such as hearing or smell? What about touch? Am I only choosing to scream because I’m on fire? > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Yes, it’s by choice, an no they don’t _have_ to change, but I think it’s a sign of immaturity and self-absorbtion if they’re unwilling to try. So if I keep diligently trying to like something, and yet I still find it unpleasant, I’m _choosing_ to find it unpleasant? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/192 "2010-03-15T20:14:38Z")
You will doubtlessly find out that there are some things you know you’ll never like. There are a number of things you will be initially resistant to that you will find you do like if you give them an honest chance. It’s the unwillingness to ever even _try_ that I call immature. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/193 "2010-03-15T20:25:34Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You will doubtlessly find out that there are some things you know you’ll never like. There are a number of things you will be initially resistant to that you will find you do like if you give them an honest chance. How many tries until I get to say I fer shure don’t like something? > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s the unwillingness to ever even _try_ that I call immature. I can get on board with that. I like to try lots of different things. However, your contention that one can choose which foods to like or not interests me. For instance, you claim not to like broccoli. In fact, you claim to hate it. Is this a choice you’ve made? If so, should you choose not to hate it anymore, how would you go about doing that? Because I would really like to enjoy broccoli. It’s so damn good for you that I really want to be able to eat it. Same with bananas. But I can’t figure out how. Please to explain. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/194 "2010-03-15T20:49:11Z")
It’s a psychological block I’ve had since I was a kid. I can’t make myself taste it objectively. I don’t know how to unlock the block, but I’m sure that it’s psychological, not physiological. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/195 "2010-03-15T21:28:38Z")
Are you saying your own block is psychological, or that all people’s blocks are? And I’d still like to hear your views on senses other than taste. ---
**Author:** ![RheaDark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@RheaDark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RheaDark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/196 "2010-03-15T21:55:48Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You will doubtlessly find out that there are some things you know you’ll never like. There are a number of things you will be initially resistant to that you will find you do like if you give them an honest chance. > > It’s the unwillingness to ever even _try_ that I call immature. Sounds good ^^ Me myself, self-stereotyping as a Chinese person, am willing to try pretty much everything and anything. I think that being open’s a good thing; else I’d have never discovered how tasty duck feet are. Though I can’t stand spicy stuff. I’m very sensitive. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/197 "2010-03-15T22:02:01Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > Are you saying your own block is psychological, or that all people’s blocks are? And I’d still like to hear your views on senses other than taste. Everybody. It’s all psychological. I don’t know what you mean by views on other senses. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/198 "2010-03-15T22:02:34Z")
FWIW, I trained myself to stop hating tomatoes, because I got tired of picking them off my sandwiches. I still don’t love them, but I can appreciate a good tomato these days, and they definitely don’t repulse me like they used to. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/199 "2010-03-15T23:08:41Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Everybody. It’s all psychological. I don’t know what you mean by views on other senses. Probably smelling farts and enjoying the feeling of your flesh being burned off. Myself, I think you’re nuts - where would people find all these psychological blocks? I prefer the taste of strawberries to that of chocolate. I don’t hate either of them - but according to your position, my preference must be merely psychological, right? Upon first tasting the strawberries I _must_ have been having an independently superior experience that I associate them with? I think that cauliflour is pretty bland and that jalapenos are awfully spicy - is that all in my head? Are they actually identical, other than my personal delusions? I think not. Now, demonstrably tastes are malleable with repeated exposure - tolerances can be developed and tastes can be acquired. Presumably if somebody ate enough dog shit they’d begin to like the flavor and relish the smell. But is the initial reaction all in their heads? I’ll also add, I don’t personally see the merit in acquiring tastes, except as a survival mechanism. If there is nothing else to eat but rotten meat, one had better learn to if-not-like rotten meat, at least they should learn to be able to choke it down. But I don’t see how I’m missing out if I don’t bother to force myself to learn to tolerate the stuff while there are still chocolate and strawberries available. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728/200 "2010-03-15T23:31:09Z")
No, I’m not referring tp preferences, but to this “oh my God, I’m going to puke if I swallow a single bite of spinach” type thing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-a-picky-eater-inherently-bad/531728.md?page=11)