Don’t yuck my yum
Parenting lesson applied to life
(2 min read)
One summer when my siblings and I were little, my sister was enjoying a lollipop, and a woman with a British accent asked her:
Isn’t that revolting?
What did the woman expect that my sister was going to answer?
Yes, I’m sucking on this treat because I think it’s absolutely disgusting.
Of course not.
What a rude comment!
It has become an inside joke in my family.
If we ever hear someone doubting someone else’s preferences, one of us will ask in a British accent “Isn’t that revolting?” with a smile. 😉
It’s a reminder:
Don't yuck their yum.I love this phrase.
We never said “Don’t yuck their yum” back then.
I hadn’t learned of it till recent years.
The latest generation of parents is more likely to teach their kids this kind of acceptance.
Great advice.
I’m eager to see how much more progressive and open-minded the world will be in the years to come.
My sister from the story above is now a mom.
Her family visited this past week, which was so much fun.
I see how she celebrates her kids’ explorations.
If they want to eat applesauce with mustard in it, good for them!
Or if they want to eat a sandwich of carrots and tomato sauce, why not?
Neither she, nor her husband, nor the other kids will say “weird! 🤢” or anything derogatory.
Praise for creativity and for experimentation is allowed. 😊
When you’re at a buffet, you don’t need to grab every item offered.
And it would be weird of you to expect every other person to choose exactly the same items that you choose.
Everyone has different preferences.
Why do we get so judgmental sometimes when other people’s preferences differ from ours?
When we see someone enjoying something we dislike, it can challenge our worldview and make us feel uncomfortable.
But that discomfort is our own to manage rather than impose onto others.
Our own choices don’t become more valid by proclaiming others’ choices as invalid.
The beauty of human diversity lies in our varied tastes and experiences.
What’s “revolting” to one person might be a delicacy to another.
Cultural differences, personal histories, and individual sensitivities all play a role in shaping our preferences.
Embracing the “Don’t yuck their yum” philosophy extends beyond food.
It applies to music, fashion, hobbies, sex (big time! —and here is one example that our society really ought to encourage instead of shut out), and countless other aspects of life.
We can accept others’ choices and create a more inclusive and understanding society.
This mindset also opens us up to new experiences.
Instead of dismissing something unfamiliar, we might ask ourselves, “What might I be missing?”
This curiosity can lead to personal growth and unexpected joys.
In matters of personal taste and harmless preferences, letting others enjoy what they love without judgment is a simple yet powerful act of kindness.
Next time you’re tempted to question someone’s choice, remember the British woman and the lollipop.
Instead of criticizing (or asking a rude rhetorical question like “Isn’t that revolting?”), be open-minded.
You could cheer someone on. Or ask questions out of genuine curiosity.
You might just learn something new.
At the very least, you’ll make the world a little bit kinder.
💬 I’m curious to hear your stories…
What are times when you felt criticized when you expressed a preference?
When have others supported your unusual preference?
What are other fun examples you’ve witnessed?
🕙 What we learned in recent posts:
🟢 What happens after enlightenment
🟢 Christmas morning vs evening (my least popular post ever)
Thanks for clicking the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏