(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:
Isnāt that revolting?
What did the woman expect that my sister was going to answer?
Yes, Iām sucking on this treat because I think itās 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 elseās preferences, one of us will ask in a British accent āIsnāt that revolting?ā with a smile. š
Itās a reminder:
Don't yuck their yum.
I love this phrase.
We never said āDonāt yuck their yumā back then.
I hadnāt learned of it till recent years.
The latest generation of parents is more likely to teach their kids this kind of acceptance.
Great advice.
Iām 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 kidsā 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 āweird! š¤¢ā or anything derogatory.
Praise for creativity and for experimentation is allowed. š
When youāre at a buffet, you donāt 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 peopleās 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 donāt become more valid by proclaiming othersā choices as invalid.
The beauty of human diversity lies in our varied tastes and experiences.
Whatās ārevoltingā 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 āDonāt yuck their yumā philosophy extends beyond food.
It applies to music, fashion, hobbies, sex (big time! āand here is one example that our society really ought to encourage instead of shut out), and countless other aspects of life.
We can accept othersā 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, āWhat might I be missing?ā
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 youāre tempted to question someoneās choice, remember the British woman and the lollipop.
Instead of criticizing (or asking a rude rhetorical question like āIsnāt that revolting?ā), 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, youāll make the world a little bit kinder.
š¬ Iām curious to hear your storiesā¦
What are times when you felt criticized when you expressed a preference?
When have others supported your unusual preference?
What are other fun examples youāve witnessed?
š What we learned in recent posts:
š¢ What happens after enlightenment
š¢ Christmas morning vs evening (my least popular post ever)
š¢ 5 whys vs 0 whys
š¢ [See all posts]
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