“Taste is subjective.”
You’d think that this is common knowledge, but it often feels like it isn’t. You have no idea how many times I’ve been told how odd it is that I don’t like lamb, vinegar or booze – it’s not weird, we’re all just different.
“Tastebud prejudice” sounds stupid, but is a universal act that we can do unconsciously – this was especially evident in Madeline and Simon’s KFC dining extravaganza. While Madeline sees the Colonel’s pride and joy as always having a place in her heart, Simon believes, simply, that is a “celebration of crap”. Neither of their opinions are wrong, but Simon’s act of criticising those who enjoy the taste is a clear example of tastebud prejudice.
However, this concept can go beyond simple personal tastes – consider the diet culture that Anthony Warner’s lecture spoke of. Obviously, many fad diets are created because of their perceived health benefits, but what if people followed them because they just really like drinking lemonade and lemonade only? If we took science and medicine out of the equation, what if we’re forcing our ideals on to those who just enjoy the taste of a limited diet?
I mean, I don’t know your life.
A post made to amuse the masses. However, what if this kid genuinely enjoys the taste of shoe fries and the public is just ridiculing him with their tastebud prejudice? Food for thought…
So, perhaps this is a consequence of our inbuilt ethnocentrism. While ethnocentrism is how we judge others based on our own culture (that we see as being “better” than others), you could say that tastebud prejudice works in similar ways on a micro level. Without consideration, it can be easy to apply our food preferences on to others, when this is not reasonable in our ever-diverse world.
So please, try exercising your anti-ethnocentrism skills and stop making me feel like I’m one of those little green aliens because of the way that I eat bananas. Thanks.
Great blog Emily.
you brought up the fact that people are always surprised that you don’t like lamb and booze, do you think that there is a certain amount of stereotyping going on and as a New Zealander you are expected to like these foods. Lamb and booze are like fish and chips! but to say this ignores the fact that this differs like you say from person to person.
its a good point about ethnocentrism but I think I prefer ‘palate-centrism’. we should practice not judging one another’s taste buds!
Here’s too anti- palate-centrism.