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Picky eaters of Lemmy: Why? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

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?

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[-] RBWells@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago

Our boss got us Vietnamese food for lunch last week and one of the AP people was just going around the table saying "oh, no, I don't like tofu, oh no I don't like the noodles oh no I don't like those buns oh no I don't like those wraps" in a very judgemental sounding voice, I think they ended up with a plate of white rice.

Have never noticed what they eat for lunch but now I am wondering.

I do think a good palate is something you have to learn, and enjoying flavors and textures is something I taught my kids and something I value but:

Some people are supertasters and can't handle anything strong - it's like living with a bunch of hard of hearing people who yell so they can hear each other, but it hurts your ears.

And some people did not get exposed to new textures and flavors at the right time when they were young, that's the fault of their parents.

And I don't think anyone likes everything, if they do I would wonder if they even liked food or just didn't care. But I'm trying to think of something I wouldn't at least try? I guess if it smelled bad or looked extremely unappetizing I'd pass. I can imagine rare steak falling into "unappetizing looking" for someone. Not me, but someone.

Also - I have a coworker who likes and is knowledgeable about wine but so picky and limited with food, he went to Japan and ate chicken tenders! So we had a challenge last year - I said I would try wines to find some I like if he would try new foods to find some he likes. I won but he did find several new vegetables that he had never eaten but likes now. So sure sometimes it is simply unfamiliarity.

this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2026
127 points (85.1% liked)

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