Why I Can’t Stand Picky Eaters

The following post is from EPIC: 101 Short Stories, Essays, and Insights to Improve Communication Skills

To me, being a picky eater does not only mean someone who is picky with food.

It represents someone who is not crafty.

One way that I measure picky eaters is by asking the question:

Are they a pain in the ass to show around?

A while back, I knew a picky eater.

He was someone who would always get fancy with it.

A lot of college kids didn’t have that much funds.

Food was food.

But this guy, let’s call him Arnie, always had to get cute with it.

When the other kids were down for a quick meal at Taco Bell…

Arnie wanted to pay 20 bucks to sit down and eat somewhere.

I’m all for a great cuisine.

However, that’s not where Arnie stopped.

He had this snobby vibe to him.

One day, a bunch of the friends went from Tampa to Gainesville for a tailgate.

We knew this guy at Gainesville who was going to let our group of 5 stay with him.

He was a college kid too.

So, he didn’t have that much money.

However, he was doing the best he could.

He bought a bunch of hamburger patties.

But unfortunately, ran out of money for the buns…

The friends were like:

‘Bro, you’re all good. Thanks for getting the patties!’

By the time Arnie gets out of his 45-minute long shower, he is notified about the eating plans.

In a horrified voice, he was like:

‘We are supposed to eat burgers without the buns?! Just the patties?’

This was an unfathomable concept to him.

It’s one thing if he asked once.

But he kept bringing it up.

Ruining the vibe.

For the rest of us, it was not a big deal at all.

But for the picky eater, Arnie, it was a massive deal.

Not only that.

Afterward, we were all going to get blankets and sleep on the ground.

This was a place to rest up until we went to the tailgate tomorrow.

Once again, Arnie acted like a baby:

‘No futons or air mattresses?’

He slept on the floor like a wuss.

Making all these whiney noises.

He was soft.

Not a tough guy by any means.

I’m not saying that a person should just eat garbage to prove they are not a picky eater.

But during times of uncertainty, are you capable of adjusting?

And it’s not just about adjusting….

But adjusting with your enthusiasm intact.

There is a hurricane headed toward Florida.

And a bunch of people are panicking and stocking up…

I go to Walmart today for some last-minute items.

Most of the food items are gone.

It was like the Coronavirus time when you were lucky to get food.

Chances are that the name brands you prefer are gone.

Are you capable of adjusting?

Or are you going to be a baby about it?

Fine dining is a luxury.

Never confuse it as an essential.

When times are tough, you should be able to adjust without a complaint in sight.

Why I Can’t Stand Picky Eaters