Gourmet?

[thedoc]

How much of the determination of what tastes good to you, is determined by what is on the label. Brand name, price, or vintage? Right now I am enjoying a snack of 'Imitation Crab salad" from the local grocery store. And I think it tastes good, but how many would turn their noses up at it because it's not real or some fancy brand name? Granted, many times the higher quality product is better, but how many times is it the case, where most people simply can't tell the difference, without looking at the label?

[lisarea]

Well, if those preferences are subconscious, that means people don't do it consciously and would not answer that they do it.

It's pretty much universally assumed that people do this. That's why blind taste tests are such a thing, and it's not just limited to foods, either. People's perceptions are frequently influenced by their biases in every aspect of life I can think of right now.

Is this something that you think only some people do, and that you don't?

Or do you think people do it consciously? That people regularly pretend to enjoy or not enjoy things as some kind of performance for the benefit of observers? Like they're trying to impress other people? Do you think people are faking it when they say they perceive something you don't?

[thedoc]

Originally Posted by lisarea

Well, if those preferences are subconscious, that means people don't do it consciously and would not answer that they do it.

It's pretty much universally assumed that people do this. That's why blind taste tests are such a thing, and it's not just limited to foods, either. People's perceptions are frequently influenced by their biases in every aspect of life I can think of right now.

Is this something that you think only some people do, and that you don't?

Or do you think people do it consciously? That people regularly pretend to enjoy or not enjoy things as some kind of performance for the benefit of observers? Like they're trying to impress other people? Do you think people are faking it when they say they perceive something you don't?

I think that some people do fake it, but there are some who can honestly tell the difference, I can't. For example, I'm just as happy with the common brand of coffee or an inexpensive wine. When offered "something special" I'll try it but I really can't tell the difference. I have encountered people who insisted that only the best would do for them, even when I couldn't tell the difference. I will make one concession on items other than food or drink, that a more expensive, better quality product will last longer, and then it is a matter of economics. Will the 'good stuff' outlast the equivalent cost of the cheaper items, and does it do a better job in use?

[Dingfod]

Some things I cannot tell the difference. Some things the generic "store brand" stuff is actually better to me than the name brand. And then, some things, there is no substitute for the real deal. Kraft Dinner, for example. Heh, not gourmet, not me.

[lisarea]

I'm sure there's some subset of people who consciously pretend to appreciate things because they see it as a status thing, but there seems to be a much larger group of people who run around accusing people of that for no good reason.

It's pretty likely that everyone is influenced by marketing and other cultural factors, but I question whether it's really all that common for people to regularly pretend to like things they don't, especially not with something you actually consume.

Isn't it possible that when someone says that they only want the best, that it actually means that they discern some difference in quality, not that they're doing it solely for some perceived status?

It seems really common for people who don't appreciate something to assume nobody else genuinely appreciates it either, and that those who say they do are just faking it. And that's a really weird thing to assume about people.

[livius drusus]

It also assumes that what's expensive and rare in one place is expensive and rare everywhere. When my parents lived in Maine, we enjoyed top quality lobster dishes at tiny little shacks with splintery butcher block tables and paper napkins. A bowl of lobster stew, full of massive chunks of claw and tail meat, cost like three bucks. Likewise, I'm sure nobody in Maryland would find fake crab tolerable because they are surrounded by the means of comparison.

The same thing goes for Camembert in France or porcini mushrooms in Italy. It's not fancy stuff that people who put on airs pretend to enjoy. It's how they live.

[thedoc]

Originally Posted by lisarea

I'm sure there's some subset of people who consciously pretend to appreciate things because they see it as a status thing, but there seems to be a much larger group of people who run around accusing people of that for no good reason.

I would guess that there are more people who pretend to "appreciate the Good things" that you think. And that is a good reason for others to accuse them of it.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

It also assumes that what's expensive and rare in one place is expensive and rare everywhere. When my parents lived in Maine, we enjoyed top quality lobster dishes at tiny little shacks with splintery butcher block tables and paper napkins. A bowl of lobster stew, full of massive chunks of claw and tail meat, cost like three bucks. Likewise, I'm sure nobody in Maryland would find fake crab tolerable because they are surrounded by the means of comparison.

The same thing goes for Camembert in France or porcini mushrooms in Italy. It's not fancy stuff that people who put on airs pretend to enjoy. It's how they live.

No fucking joke! I was in New York and there was a continental breakfast that was a lot of pastries and coffee and they even had hot stuff like eggs and meat but there was no fresh fruit, and so I asked the lady "is there any fresh fruit?" and she goes "uh... there's OJ." I was like whatever, but then a few seconds later these two girls come in and they are all "OMG! THERE'S OJ!" and they start loading up on cups of it and I realize that in places that are not California and Georgia, fresh produce is actually sort of booshie and not just rotting on the ground everywhere you look.

[wei yau]

Originally Posted by thedoc

I would guess that there are more people who pretend to "appreciate the Good things" that you think. And that is a good reason for others to accuse them of it.

I would guess that you need to stop hanging out with assholes.

[livius drusus]

Since when is a guess a good basis for any kind of accusation?

[lisarea]

Why would you guess that, though, and why would it concern you enough that you find it necessary to call it out?

There are plenty of things I don't personally have an appreciation for. Wine, for example. I don't drink much of it, and don't have a nuanced appreciation for it. I like some wines better than others, but a really good quality wine would probably be wasted on me. But if someone tells me they do appreciate wine, it wouldn't even occur to me to doubt them, much less to accuse them of faking it.

In fact, one of the few people I know who does appreciate wine recommended this brand as a reasonably priced red wine with broad appeal that I might like, and she was right. That is now my default for when I'm getting wine to drink rather than just to cook with.

It doesn't bother me when someone I know knows and cares more about something than I do. I either ignore it if I really don't care and don't want to, or I exploit their knowledge and ask them about it. Why would I reject something I don't know anything about?

[thedoc]

Originally Posted by wei yau

I would guess that you need to stop hanging out with assholes.

But I like this forum.

[thedoc]

Originally Posted by lisarea

Why would you guess that, though, and why would it concern you enough that you find it necessary to call it out?

There are plenty of things I don't personally have an appreciation for. Wine, for example. I don't drink much of it, and don't have a nuanced appreciation for it. I like some wines better than others, but a really good quality wine would probably be wasted on me. But if someone tells me they do appreciate wine, it wouldn't even occur to me to doubt them, much less to accuse them of faking it.

In fact, one of the few people I know who does appreciate wine recommended this brand as a reasonably priced red wine with broad appeal that I might like, and she was right. That is now my default for when I'm getting wine to drink rather than just to cook with.

It doesn't bother me when someone I know knows and cares more about something than I do. I either ignore it if I really don't care and don't want to, or I exploit their knowledge and ask them about it. Why would I reject something I don't know anything about?

Apparently you get a burr up your butt, when someone asks a question you don't like. Have fun, if you like.

[LadyShea]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

It also assumes that what's expensive and rare in one place is expensive and rare everywhere. When my parents lived in Maine, we enjoyed top quality lobster dishes at tiny little shacks with splintery butcher block tables and paper napkins. A bowl of lobster stew, full of massive chunks of claw and tail meat, cost like three bucks. Likewise, I'm sure nobody in Maryland would find fake crab tolerable because they are surrounded by the means of comparison.

The same thing goes for Camembert in France or porcini mushrooms in Italy. It's not fancy stuff that people who put on airs pretend to enjoy. It's how they live.

I can go get wild caught shrimp fresh off the boat anytime I want for cheap...no way could farmed, frozen shrimp shipped from Asia really compare.

[Kael]

Well, I can get fresh... milk, I guess? Dammit, Utah...

[LadyShea]

You probably have better access to quality beef than I do.

[Kael]

Yeah, I'm just being facetious. I can get local eggs, honey, all kinds of meats, and there's a stretch of road in the next valley over practically lined with orchards and corresponding fruit stands.

[wei yau]

I remember moving down to NoVa from NYC, I was looking forward to Southern cooking. Especially fried chicken. Imagine my disappointment when I found that the only fried chicken available was KFC and Popeye's.

A new soul food place just opened up near me, so I'm glad to finally have access to decent fried chicken.

[Watser?]

Aged Dutch cheese is pretty cheap here for some reason. But I still willingly paid megabucks for it in the US because I'm addicted that way and there's no alternative

[livius drusus]

My dad used to stock up on the good duty free Dutch cheeses every time he passed through Schiphol. I fondly recall large wedges of Parrano, Gouda and Edam stinking up the little fridge in my dorm room. Kept the roommates out and the delicious in.

[wei yau]

Ain't nothing good that's also cheap in NoVa.

Except for at Costco.

[livius drusus]

Popeye's makes shit chicken, but I have to give credit where credit is due: Best. Biscuits. Ever.

[Ensign Steve]

Right?! We had KFC last night and we tossed the biscuits because we agree KFC biscuits are wack. But Popeyes, OTOH, that shit is heavenly. Red Lobster doesn't even have anything on them and they cheat by adding cheddar. I swear Paula Deen would blush at the amount of butter Popeyes uses.

[wei yau]

Red Lobster. Every few years I end up there to remind myself why I don't go there.

Last time, I ordered something called AmeriPure Oysters.

It was like eating a plastic garbage bag that was used to discard oyster shells.

[Janet]

If you want yummy biscuits go to your library or book store. Pick up a copy of Alex Guarnaschelli's Old School Comfort Food and make the recipe for Evil Cheese Biscuits. Then try to stop eating them.

Michigan grows many things very well. I can't imagine living somewhere without access to Michigan cherries ever again, and the difference between horrid, bland, mealy grocery store Red Delicious apples and fresh picked Michigan ones is ridiculous. And I'm sure Georgia peaches taste great in Georgia, but the ones they ship here do not compare to Michigan peaches.

You people! Now you've got me craving yummy fruit that won't be available for months.