How do I tell the foodie hosting me I'm a very picky eater?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I feel so bad for your taste buds for all the delicious food you are missing out on.

Evidently OP does not find that food delicious. Usually chacun à son gout is a figure of speech, but in this case it applies literally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst are people like the OP. Its time to grow up. You do not have a right to impose your childish food taste on others. Why do you think you have the right to kill the fun of everyone else. Go eat your bowl of gruel some where else.

How is OP imposing OP's food taste on others? The question is, should OP accept or decline an invitation from somebody who apparently wants to make the OP eat food that the OP doesn't want to eat? If anybody is trying to impose their food taste on others, it's the foodie host of the party, on OP.

Asking a host to consider changing their menu because of OP's dislikes, is imposing OP's dislikes on others - because she's making it a burden of others to conform to her, instead of OP conforming to normal eating habits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst are people like the OP. Its time to grow up. You do not have a right to impose your childish food taste on others. Why do you think you have the right to kill the fun of everyone else. Go eat your bowl of gruel some where else.

How is OP imposing OP's food taste on others? The question is, should OP accept or decline an invitation from somebody who apparently wants to make the OP eat food that the OP doesn't want to eat? If anybody is trying to impose their food taste on others, it's the foodie host of the party, on OP.

Asking a host to consider changing their menu because of OP's dislikes, is imposing OP's dislikes on others - because she's making it a burden of others to conform to her, instead of OP conforming to normal eating habits.

Nowhere did OP say that OP was going to ask the host to consider changing the menu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, what is up with people calling OP unrefined, immature and the like? If OP genuinely can't eat even mildly spicy food or else have a reaction, how is that OP's fault?? And unrefined? As if eating certain foods makes you refined? What a joke.

OP, if you were my good friend, I would like to know your restrictions and would try to serve a few items that you could eat.

I doubt Op actually has any kind of actual reaction to spicy or hot food. The reality is that if you eat nothing but plain rice, white bread and pasta - everything tastes spicy and everyone's mouth reacts to foods that are spicy for them. Ops body just reacts at a spice level of 1 because salt and peper are the only seasoning she has ever had. Other people whose palate has grown accustomed to much spicier food would have the same reaction OP has if the spice level was raised to an 8 lets say. There are spices that make everyone react. And hot food again burns everyone's tongue and mouth if it is hot enough - if OP has never eaten anything except room temperature food, then hot food is going to seem scorching. The body adjusts to what you give it. Just like vegetarians get sick when they go back to meat and anyone who goes off gluten or wheat will get very bloated and sick when they go back on it - if the body isn't used to something, it reacts. Same as when you travel, many people react to foods / beverages that locals eat with ease - the body just isn't used to those spices or foods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst are people like the OP. Its time to grow up. You do not have a right to impose your childish food taste on others. Why do you think you have the right to kill the fun of everyone else. Go eat your bowl of gruel some where else.

How is OP imposing OP's food taste on others? The question is, should OP accept or decline an invitation from somebody who apparently wants to make the OP eat food that the OP doesn't want to eat? If anybody is trying to impose their food taste on others, it's the foodie host of the party, on OP.

Asking a host to consider changing their menu because of OP's dislikes, is imposing OP's dislikes on others - because she's making it a burden of others to conform to her, instead of OP conforming to normal eating habits.

Nowhere did OP say that OP was going to ask the host to consider changing the menu.

OP (we know it's you), what's the point of telling a host about your dislikes, if not to get them to consider making changes?

If an unknown menu gives you anxiety, then decline. That is your only option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst are people like the OP. Its time to grow up. You do not have a right to impose your childish food taste on others. Why do you think you have the right to kill the fun of everyone else. Go eat your bowl of gruel some where else.

How is OP imposing OP's food taste on others? The question is, should OP accept or decline an invitation from somebody who apparently wants to make the OP eat food that the OP doesn't want to eat? If anybody is trying to impose their food taste on others, it's the foodie host of the party, on OP.

Asking a host to consider changing their menu because of OP's dislikes, is imposing OP's dislikes on others - because she's making it a burden of others to conform to her, instead of OP conforming to normal eating habits.

Nowhere did OP say that OP was going to ask the host to consider changing the menu.

OP (we know it's you), what's the point of telling a host about your dislikes, if not to get them to consider making changes?

If an unknown menu gives you anxiety, then decline. That is your only option.

It's not OP.

[Anonymous]

Did not read the 7 pages of replies, so excuse me please if any of this is a repeat….but I think I can help OP.
I am also a picky eater, although I have gotten better with age (37). Seems every year I try a food I hated earlier in life to realize I now like it or I just did not like how it was prepared the first time I ate it. An example: Green Beans - I grew up hating them, when I was twenty I was on a date and was served fresh steamed green beans. Wanting to be a good date I took a bite and realized they were delicious. Turns out I hate canned green beans which is all i had ever been served at home as a child.
OP I would go and just take a small bite of everything. You may be surprised to find out you like something you don't usually. Completely passing on anything spicy and alcohol is no big deal.
I would not tell the host ahead of time. Why draw attention to yourself? If the host is aware of your food aversions, trust me she is going to pay attention to what you are eating and try to make sure you like things. Easier to lay low and skip a course or two if she is not looking for it! Trust me - been there done that. Last fall I went to a dinner at a friends who served everyone a butternut squash soup in a teacup before dinner. I waited till my husband was almost done with his and then swapped cups without anyone knowing!

[Anonymous]

No help, but introduce me to your friend!!!! I would love to go her dinner parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I feel so bad for your taste buds for all the delicious food you are missing out on.

Evidently OP does not find that food delicious. Usually chacun à son gout is a figure of speech, but in this case it applies literally.

Touche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A foodie: A person who has no actual interests or hobbies.

Right. That's why there are only half a dozen TV networks devoted to cooking.

Anti-foodie: Someone who thinks cheese is something square and that comes wrapped in individual plastic servings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No help, but introduce me to your friend!!!! I would love to go her dinner parties.

+1 and I'll drop off a plate of oatmeal and saltines on my over as a big Thank You.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... As for your aversion to spice, I'm sorry but that's just lack of exposure to anything besides bland chicken. So what if you ate Indian food and had to gulp water -- you eat it a few more times, you'll get used to it and not need water...

How can the rest of your post be so sensible, and this part so stupid? Some people really don't like spice, and OP's spice aversion is rooted in physical pain. I fail to see why you think that's a thing she should/could get over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A foodie: A person who has no actual interests or hobbies.

Right. That's why there are only half a dozen TV networks devoted to cooking.

Anti-foodie: Someone who thinks cheese is something square and that comes wrapped in individual plastic servings.

Wow, ignorant much? Everyone knows real cheese comes from a can.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm guessing since you couldn't eat the Mexican toppings (lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, etc) that your food aversions are quite strong and expansive. Because of that, I think you should decline.

I am a bit confused about the beverage thing though. Why does that have to be a big deal? When someone asks what you want to drink, just say water. If they serve it with a lemon wedge, just place it to the side. The fact that you think that is worth mentioning makes me wonder how over the top you are about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, what is up with people calling OP unrefined, immature and the like? If OP genuinely can't eat even mildly spicy food or else have a reaction, how is that OP's fault?? And unrefined? As if eating certain foods makes you refined? What a joke.

OP, if you were my good friend, I would like to know your restrictions and would try to serve a few items that you could eat.

I don't know about you, but I've never referred to mole or any sauce as "liquid shit."

That puts OP squarely in the unrefined, immature camp.

I hope she declines this invitation.

And I think she's exaggerating about her friend's interest in what others eat just to make herself sound sympathetic. There's no way someone paying that close of attention would be OP's friend if they really love food.

Doubtful. Foodies monitor everyone's meals and have to discuss every ingredient ad nauseum. They watch you take bites to see how you react, to see if it evokes the feeling they had that afternoon in Rome. The ones I know are the ones who are difficult to be around, as they can't just enjoy people's company. It's entirely about the food. I have a friend who will only eat like the OP. It's a little frustrating when I have a craving for Indian or Thai food, but she's my friend, and I'm more interested in catching up over dinner (even if it's bar food) than eating a unique meal solo. She's my friend. We can find middle ground.