One of my favorite novelists has commented here a couple of times regarding her unworthy dining companions. The phrase makes me laugh with recognition. I think first of an acquaintance who had successfully penned a series in which food sophistication plays a large part (I'm being intentionally vague here, God forbid I offend a successful contact!) I wanted to pick her brain and we met for coffee and pastries. Or, in her case tea and pastries. When the server offered her orange pekoe tea my friend wanted to know what it was. It is pretty much the standard generic tea. Lipton. Now, if you gentle reader do not know this, please realize that this doesn't qualify you as an unworthy dining companion. It was my acquaintance's presumed expertise which put her in that category.
I, on the other hand, qualified early and often as unworthy. During my college years a large number of my friends were vegetarian. Or kosher. Or halal. How to make a carnivore gentile feel unworthy? Very easy. Make her feel unclean. I'm currently attending a conference in San Jose, and I struck up a conversation with a favorite acquaintance. She started to tell me about her 40 day cleanse. I think by tomorrow she'll be down to apple seeds. Once again, I am unworthy. I think my love of lard borders on being a reactionary political statement.
For me, though, it's food fusses and electronic usage that slam dunks you straight into the unworthy category. Want to order a meal and have all carbs/protein/fat/calories served on the side? Want to text, or phone, or show me your screen saver on your laptop/iphone/nano/blueberry during drinks/lunch/dinner/tea? Great. I'll remember to schedule our dates during power outages. Or not at all.
What makes an unworthy dining companion for you?
I have had to learn to curb my inner critic when I dine out with friends. For me, it's great fun to critique a dish and figure out makes it work or not. For others, this quality is the making of an unworthy dining companion.
ReplyDeleteWhen people ask, "What do you think of the (fill in the blank," they don't really want to know your truth.
I have had to learn to curb my inner critic when I dine out with friends. For me, it's great fun to critique a dish and figure out makes it work or not. For others, this quality is the making of an unworthy dining companion.
ReplyDeleteWhen people ask, "What do you think of the (fill in the blank," they don't really want to know your truth.
How's this: On St. Patrick's day we took green food dye and colored the inside of baked potatoes. Both my children wanted to do this, but when the younger one saw the actual green potato she wouldn't get near it, even though she likes green potatoes and even though she knows the green food dye has not taste. Of course, my husband wouldn't have anything to do with the green potato. He wouldn't even eat colored Easter eggs, although he is quite content with a plain white boiled egg. Do you see how I suffer?
ReplyDeleteI regularly disappoint my human dining companions when they ask my opinion of a place they like. I just let them know food is very personal so don't take it too personal!
ReplyDeleteLuckily I have one foodie friend who is just as hard 2 please as this K9.
S-I got ya!
ReplyDeleteCO--You are working on a higher plane--
M-I agree. You suffer. Hmmm-intervention time?
Anybody that ingests pre-made mac and cheese out of a BOX or makes an attempt at serving it is most certainly an unworthy supper or dinner companion! Need I say more to the Restless Chef? Eeeek!Maga
ReplyDeleteI am wondering who in particular you may be talking about. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anyone I've eaten with recently that I'd call "unworthy."
ReplyDeleteMy nose is sensitive. A smoker or someone who wears a lot of perfume would make it impossible for me to enjoy the food. Does that work?