Everyday Systems

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11310/1187532-109-0.stm

"No means no", when it comes to food as well as sex.

An interesting quote from the article:

Food practices of today have their origins in times of food scarcity and hunger. In an environment of too little food, it makes perfect sense to fret over your loved ones not getting enough, to give food at every opportunity and to elevate food to a role of primary personal and social importance.

Those of us who live in developed countries do not live in an environment where not getting enough food is at all likely to be a problem. We're much, much more likely to get sick from eating too much than from not getting enough.

Interesting article.

There is nothing worse that having to say 5 times to a person "No thank you" in response to food. I mean some people just don't get it. In my opinion a food conversation should go like this:

Pusher: "Would you like some cake or soda?"
Me: "No, thank you"
Pusher: "Are you sure? It's good and there's plenty!"
Me: "No, I'll pass this time. But thanks."
Pusher: "OK"
The End

If I have to say "No" more than two times then I feel that the situation is not really about me having the food, but is about the pusher needing to control something. I have no problem being rude at that point.

Another annoying situation is the person who questions your food choices in front of others when you have not initiated the topic.

"Why no bread? You on a diet?"
"You are having more than that, aren't you?"
"That's not healthy!"
"That's going to make you fat?"
"Why don't you eat _____?"