Food People Pretend To Like Because It's Expected Of Them
“Caviar. It’s so salty.”
Some food tastes terrible to some people but good to others. It's something we experience every single day, but have you ever wondered why?
The bumps on our tongues are called papillae; people who have a lot of them tend to find flavors overwhelming. They are referred to as “supertasters,” and they usually prefer their food mild instead of spicy and always make sure to add cream to their coffee. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, a functional medicine expert, “Taste perception is highly individual and can be influenced by genetic factors.”
People with low papillae, on the other hand, are called Subtasters, and they usually prefer their food with as much flavor as possible. However, sometimes individual taste has nothing to do with papillae and how our buds interact with the different molecules. Dr. Daniel Goleman, an emotional intelligence expert, notes that “Our preferences can also be shaped by cultural and emotional experiences.”
Our brains generally recognize five tastes—bitter, sour, sweet, salty, and umami (savory). However, it varies from one person to the other since the suite of chemicals that trigger those signals always differ.
A Redditor who goes by the username u/ExtremeC*mMaster made a post on the r/AskReddit subReddit containing the following question: "What food do you swear people only pretend to like?" The user received a lot of interesting answers to their question, scroll down to check them out! ```
1. “The meals I prepare for them.”
No, no, it was great, I just had a really late lunch. Anyways, who wants ice cream?
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash2. “Fondant on like wedding cakes”
I think fondant is selected for it's looks, not it's taste.
Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash3. “Circus Peanuts.”
There's no way people are actually out there enjoying those things,but enough people pretend to keep them in business.I love circus peanuts, but also candy corn. So I'm probably not to be trusted.--DoDaDrew
Reddit
The Psychology of Social Expectations
This topic sheds light on the social pressures that often shape our food preferences. Research from the University of California, Los Angeles, indicates that social conformity can heavily influence our choices, especially regarding food.
People may pretend to enjoy certain foods due to peer pressure or societal expectations, even when they don’t actually like them. This behavior reflects a desire for acceptance and belonging.
4. "Stevia…there’s absolutely no way someone enjoys that aftertaste."
It’s a weird cult that I’m not willing to join and such a dominant flavor.I’m with you, but I just recently learned some people can’t taste the aftertaste you and I can, which helps explain a lot about its popularity.
Stevia
5. "Gold leaf – need I say more?"
It has no real taste- it’s there so that you can feel rich and entitled
Photo by Peter Olexa on Unsplash
6. "Extremely hoppy IPAs (if drinks can be included in the discussion)."
I enjoy bitterness in my beer, and I know there are some good IPAs out there, but it’s gotten to the point that breweries seem to be competing with one another to see who can make the bitterest, most unappealing beers imaginable. They taste like earwax.I love IPAs, but I agree with you. Ever since they became trendy there seems to be an influx small breweries that just want to capitalize on it by putting out cans called “Hopsplosion XXX!!!” Or “Hops Face Fuck!” and completely forgetting that what makes a good IPA is how the bitterness balances with the other flavors of the beer. I want my IPA to have flavor, not punch me in the face.
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels
Moreover, psychological research shows that our enjoyment of food can be significantly influenced by context and social settings. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more likely to report liking a food when they are in a social group that enjoys it.
This highlights the role of social context in shaping our food experiences and preferences.
7. "Once upon a time, I swore that salted licorice was the vilest thing ever to have graced our fair planet."
I had a Norwegian flatmate that loved that stuff. I got used to it too, kinda liked it. Then he got me to try this stuff called Turkish Pepper. That’s a line I won’t cross again.--finzaz
Photo by The Nix Company on Unsplash
8. Hákarl.
I can’t imagine someone coming in from a long day of work and tucking into a plate of fishy-smelling, ammonia-flavored chewy shark chunks that make you smell like a bait camp for the rest of the evening.It seems like survival food – you will stay alive if you eat it, but it’s not appealing … to me.If you’re Icelandic – please help me understand why this is a thing.
Reddit
9. Chitterlings.
My mom-in-law made some at my house, and it smelled like a grown man shitted all over my home and walls.
Reddit
The Impact of Cultural Norms
Cultural norms also play a significant role in determining our food preferences. According to anthropological research, food choices are often tied to cultural identity and belonging.
When individuals feel pressure to conform to cultural expectations around food, they may suppress their true preferences, leading to feelings of inauthenticity.
This can create internal conflict, as individuals struggle between their authentic selves and the facade they feel compelled to maintain.
10. "Caviar. It’s so salty."
Fun fact (cmiir): you’re supposed to eat it with a spoon made of bone because using metal causes a chemical reaction thereby altering the flavor.
Tyler Nix on Unsplash
11. “Vodka…it tastes like the walls of a hospital”
--bravo90
Yeah but it doesn't lie to you
Photo by Alec Favale on Unsplash
12. "Kale. You fookin’ liars!"
Photo by kiona on Unsplash
Developing a healthy relationship with food requires self-awareness and authenticity. Research from Yale University suggests that fostering an authentic connection to food can enhance overall well-being and satisfaction.
By understanding and honoring personal preferences, individuals can improve their relationship with food and reduce the pressure to conform.
13. Grapefruit.
People will be like “I love grapefruit” and then proceed to dump enough sugar on it to lose a foot.
Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash
14. “Extremely spicy foods”
I get liking a little bit of spice. But I don't see how it's enjoyable when your mouth is literally on fire.
Photo by Martin Adams on Unsplash
15. Overnight oats.
It's what I imagine prison food to be like; sloppy and cold.
Photo by Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦 on Unsplash
Practical Tips for Authentic Eating
To cultivate a more authentic relationship with food, individuals can start by experimenting with new foods and being honest about their likes and dislikes. This can involve trying different cuisines or cooking styles that resonate with personal preferences.
Research from the Journal of Health Psychology indicates that being open to new culinary experiences can improve food satisfaction and overall enjoyment.
By embracing diversity in food choices, individuals can break free from societal expectations and develop a more genuine connection with what they eat.
16. Oysters. Revolting.
I used to think this until I worked at a high quality oyster bar. That’s when I learned that the kind of oyster and where it’s from really changes the taste of each one. After 30 years of not eating them, now i love oysters. If someone really loves oysters they would have them with just lemon and mignonette sauce (which is just a light vinegar based sauce because it brings out the flavor of the oyster). If you like oysters with cocktail sauce, horseradish, and hot sauce, it’s likely because you like all those things, because that’s all you taste.That being said it also really depends on where you get your oysters from. You should only eat cold water oysters raw, meaning from New England, Canada, or the North West Coast in the US. Warm water oysters, are dirtier and have more bacteria which can be deadly. Someone just died last week here in south Florida from one bad gulf coast oyster; this was at a very classic restaurant here too. First case in over 60 years of being open, it’s just a luck of the draw, but the odds increase greatly in warm water.Thank you, this has been my Ted talk on oysters and oyster safety.
Photo by Ben Stern on Unsplash
17. Kombucha
MUSHROOM PEOPLE! SITTING AROUND ALL DAY!
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash
18. "Any of those keto substitute foods."
Use your imagination as much as you’d like but lettuce wraps will never be as good as a real sandwich with bread
Photo by Brenna Huff on Unsplash
19. Chicken liver
My family makes it for every big holiday dinner, I’m convinced that no one actually likes it but they make it out of tradition and the older people force it down.
Photo by Ryan Lansdown on Pexels
20. Licorice
Am dying inside. After scrolling through this thread, I'm starting to think there is something wrong with me because people are hating on a lot of my favorites. Just waiting now for someone to say licorice.Everybody else hating licorice means I get all of the black jellybeans. Life is good.
curtoicurto/Getty Images
21. "Tastes change as you get older."
I like a lot of stuff people are shitting on here, but I am in my 30s so I think tastes change as you get older.Love me some cheese that smells of feet, anchovies on pizza and coffee strong enough that I see through time.I used to go crazy for gummies, especially the sour ones. Now I find sweet things a bit, meh, I can take or leave it. But you'll have to prize a stinky cheeseboard out of my cold dead hands.
thecheeseempire
What food do you pretend to like? We all have something, right?
The moral of the story is don't yuck someone else's yum, what you may think is absolutely delicious is disgusting for someone else. If you enjoyed this list, make sure to check out similar content on our platform.
Psychological Analysis
This scenario highlights the impact of social expectations on our food choices. It's essential for individuals to reflect on their true preferences and resist the pressure to conform to societal norms.
By embracing authenticity in their food choices, individuals can enhance their overall satisfaction and well-being.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, our food preferences are often shaped by social pressures, cultural norms, and the desire for belonging. As noted by researchers, fostering an authentic relationship with food can enhance overall satisfaction and well-being.
By embracing personal preferences and exploring new culinary experiences, individuals can cultivate a healthier and more authentic relationship with food.
