Survey: Ask first or taste first?

[Gail]

Okay.

Now that we've discovered that most of us are pretty adventurous souls, let's take this one step further.

You're served something totally unfamiliar. It doesn't smell repugnant; just "different."

Do you:

a) Prod it with your fork a little and ask what it is and decide if you want to taste it?

b) Ask first, then taste it rather than be rude?

c) Taste first, then ask?


BTW, this is NOT the same hypothetical meal. This time, I could be serving ANYTHING...



[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 05-17-2001).]

[aggie94]

B for me, but DH would say A.

[LGBurns]

I am a B, C is a little too adventurous. On the other hand, maybe it would be better not to know what's in it--knowing could prejudice you to it. After all, maybe monkey brains are delicious, but once I know it's monkey brains, I don't think I'd be able to stomach them even if they tasted like pesto (which, btw, is what I think escargot tastes like). Well, I suppose I'm either a B or a C depending on the mood I'm in at the time.

[emilycat]

Hm. Probably b. If it were undistinguishable, I'd worry that it was some kind of meat or oil-laden thing. So I'm afraid I'd have to ask. Politely, of course http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[lorilei]

I think that "C" is my choice. For two main reasons:

#1: Because I think that it's easier to try new things without knowing what they are (take monkey brains, for instance)

#2: Because I am more likely not to come into the situation with preconceived notions about the flavor... often (I believe) these notions affect the way we taste things, and they keep us from "liking" new foods


You already know that I'm a big proponant of the theory that food aversions are psychological http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif And I believe that part of that psychological impact occurs before we even taste foods -- therefore, I say "Jump right in there and EXPERIENCE!" Ask later...


Oh wait. There's one exception. I /might/ ask "is this okay to eat?" if the substance looked alien. After all, I don't want to accidentally take a nibble of someone's potpourri... or something worse!

[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 05-17-2001).]

[JHolcomb]

C. I'd really rather not know. And as long as it doesn't smell bad, why not.

[cdm]

I'd have to say B for me. Their are some things Im allergic too, or was when I was a kid, and would rather not take the chance.

[mandarin2j]

I'd be a B, too. I like trying new things, but I also like knowing what I'm getting into. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Vanessa]

Like cdm because of allergies I would go with B.

[JennieL]

Start with a compliment... Looks fabulous! Then ... what is it?

[Wendy w]

I am a B because I am a curious type.

[BlueMoose]

A for me. I don't eat red meat or pork plus I don't like deep fried and really fatty things. Do you want me to go on.....? My DH says I'm a picky eater. My DD tends to dissect her food before trying it to check for any offending substances, of which there are many! DH on the other hand will eat anything.

[lindrusso]

Actually, I'm "D" none of the above. I make my husband try it first!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

But, I think it's okay to ask first. You just want to know - nothing wrong with that.

And I don't want to eat monkey brains even if they taste good. To me, it would be akin to eating dog or cat - just not an animal that I would ever consume. So, delicious or not, monkey brains are straight out! Sure, it's psychological, but I sure can't fault anyone for that in the case of something like monkey brains.

[Anne]

Probably B but maybe C depending on
1) how starving I was
2) how much wine we had been tasting
3) how many times I had had good or bad experiences doing this
4) how much I trusted the chef
5) how much I trusted the cref's sense of humor

[Leanne]

I'm with Anne - I think there are some other factors that go into it.

But I would probably ask & then taste. (I feel you have to taste everything - otherwise you wouldn't know if you liked it or not. Monkey brains are a different story though. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)

But, if I recognized the main ingredients - or could tell they were a vegetable or fruit - I may not ask before I tasted.

[Mamasue]

"B" for me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[cchhbb]

I'm probably B now, but earlier in my life I was a C. Since then I have had a reaction to soy, so I tend to ask first. It's amazing what people sneak soy into now. I have eaten many strange things when traveling, and found the easiest way not to offend people was to eat first, then ask.

[browneye]

Well, I think it must be C for me.

I think that because when I am at a potluck, for instance, or a party where there are all sorts of unusual things set out, I just take a little taste of everything whether I know what it is or not! I mean sometimes it's obvious, i.e. Jumbo Peel and eat Shrimp, and other times it is "mystery dish".
But I just forge ahead shamelessly tasting everything in sight!

[chefbec]

I would have to say "A". Although I'm somewhat adventurous when it comes to food, if it's something really different I think I'd want to know what it is. Then I would probably try it unless it totally grossed me out!

[Natasha]

c) I would be intrigued by it. HOWEVER, I would likely start with a VERY small bite and see how I liked it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[jliah]

Definitely C.

[luv2cook]

ask first.

[crazycook]

I'm a C, only because I was brought up tasting/eating a variety of "different" foods. My dad loved stopping by the farmer's market and coming home with some exotic looking fruit and/or vegetable. I say taste and experience as many new foods as possible in this lifetime. We only get one go around; might as well make it an exciting one. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusanL]

I am a b, also but like Jennie, I would compliment first!! That way the host "must" tell you what it is http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif