The difference between saying you don't care what other people think when you're 25 and saying you don't care what other people think when you're 40, is that when you're 40, you actually mean it.
At 25 you say it because you want it to be true. At 40 it is true.
When you get older you get more confident in yourself and forming your own opinions and you just don't care as much if they're the same opinions held by everyone else. Sometimes in fact, you'll find what you think is the total opposite of what everyone else in the world seems to think. And you don't care. Sometimes you'll even voice these opinions of yours out loud.
And so it is with no regret at all that I tell you ... I don't like Hitler. I really don't. I think he was a real asshole.
I also don't like jabbing my eye with an infected needle, drought, monsters, really long lines at the grocery store or being stuck in traffic when I have to pee.
At this point you're nodding your head up and down in validation. YOU feel the same way about these things! That's because I tricked you. You thought I was going to voice an opinion on something that was different than yours. I didn't. But I'm going to now.
I don't like Game of Thrones. I not only don't like it, I think it's stupid and cheesy. And stupid.
NOW we're getting somewhere. Game of Thrones has gained cult-like status the likes of which haven't been seen since somebody dropped a piece of chocolate in peanut butter.
And I don't like it. Game of Thrones I mean, I LOVE chocolate and peanut butter.
I also don't like most desserts, porn, Shakespeare, chain restaurants or sunflowers. And I don't really like hockey unless it's being played by 6-9 year olds.
I'm guessing you disagree with at least one of those things and you disagree STRONGLY. But I don't care. I don't like 'em even if they are wildly popular things. And no, I'm not saying I don't like them just because they're wildly popular. That's a favourite position for some people to take as well. Saying they don't like something ONLY because everyone else likes it. Oh really? You love breathing? I don't like it, totally overrated. I prefer an iron lung.
And then there's brussels sprouts. I hate them. Everyone knows I hate them. I've mentioned many times on this site about how I hate them. By this age I know what vegetables I like and which ones I don't. Yet ... no matter what ... any time I mention my hatred of brussels sprouts someone tries to change my mind. I just haven't cooked them right, haven't used the right recipe, haven't tried THEIR brussels sprouts. I haven't tried eating your hair either, but I can tell you right now I won't like it any more than I like eating my hair.
I can't really blame people, it's what we do. If a person doesn't like something that we like, we automatically try to convince them it's worth liking. There's a certain pride we feel after we've changed someone's mind about something because it's such a difficult thing to do.
Just try it this weekend. Try to change someone's mind about something. Not even anything explosive or controversial like abortion or politics. Just try to convince someone who doesn't like John Travolta that they actually should like John Travolta. That they could like John Travolta. Betcha can't do it. If the person happens to be under the age of 20 you might have a shot (providing they know who John Travolta is) but you won't be able to budge anyone over 40.
I have absolutely no idea where I'm going with this post or in fact if I'm going anywhere with it. I guess there isn't really a point to it.
And the beauty of being over 40? I don't care.
connie
LOL- i'm with you - I don't care either and ..I'm over 50 so there ! All I know is I luv peanut butter and chocolate... and brussel sprouts.... and my kids are tired of hearing my opinions. So I don't think I can convince them.
And i've never watched Game of thrones.
Bash
I am loving the luxury of age; not having to like something because everyone else does, and having the freedom to be able to voice my opinions without worrying whether everyone will understand where I'm coming from. So yes, I agree with your conclusion that trying to sway a more mature person's thinking to more closely align with yours is probably an exercise in futility.
Jennie Lee
I forgot the "don't care" part; now that I am retired, and can't get fired, I don't care. I still try not to antagonize my neighbors, though.
Jennie Lee
Some things I can ameliorate enough that I like them: BABY lima beans with lots of butter and a bit of pepper, green beans cooked with plenty of bacon or ham, and either oatmeal or sweet potatoes with a ton of brown sugar. But brussels sprouts? My Mom said I had to stay at the table till I ate them once. I was there a long time. Did not eat them. The same thing happened with liver. I tried to eat a bite, almost threw up, sat there a long time. Did not eat them. I cooked squid once. Everyone else said it was good, but after cooking it, I couldn't eat it.
gabrielle
Try your limas in a good cassoulet with white wine and savory meat casserole. Every recipe is different - I like it with ham and sausage and a herbed butter/breadcrumb crust, as smoked game is harder to come by. Use baby limas if you can!
Sue
Brussels sprouts and Game of Thrones.....two of my favorite things, but I do agree with you about Hitler! Being an old broad, older than dirt, is wonderful...people just think you are eccentric or crazy. I answer to either.
mia pratt
One has to think before speaking after this post. Hmph. Sheesh, I love sunflowers!<:}
Edith
I guess I'm lucky because I love 99% of the foods we typically eat in the western world. i can only think of a very few common things that won't cross my lips. Root beer and anything Wintergreen flavored. Then there are the few things I find very tasty but won't eat anymore because of the "harvesting" method....lobster and Pâté.
penley
What is wintergreen flavour? I've never heard of that. Sounds intriguing! I'm imagining it to be pine-y maybe?
gabrielle
Like Beeman's gum. If you prefer spearmint to peppermint, you might like wintergreen. It's fresh, not hot, but not cloyingly sweet.
Karol
Wintergreen tastes like Peptobismol. I hate wintergreen too, and beets. But I love, love brussel sprouts.
Bernadette
It's truly awful. Think Canada mints or Pepto Bismol or the sawdust the custodian used to cover kindergarteners' vomit.
Garth
Sheesh... protected childhood... Ask Mr. Google to tell you all about it, then make a visit to your local forest, find a Wintergreen plant, and chew on it. If you're really lucky, you'll find one with it's lovely red berries.
Penley
Protected childhood haha - yeah, lots of 'local forest' in outback Australia, most definitely heaps of this 'wintergreen' in between all the spinifex. Good imagination buddy. If you're really lucky, one day you'll realise there's a whole world outside north America.
Garth
Hmm... Aussie Eh! Having just returned from a month in Europe, I sort of realize that there is more to the planet than North America... and your Outback is on my list... friends there! Wintergreen is... fresh!
Edith
I suspect that you're not in the US? Many things here are wintergreen flavored....breath mints, chewing gum, chewing tobacco, toothpaste. Are you familiar with the old-fashioned pink bubble gum? That's wintergreen flavored. Do you know Pepto Bismol, that pink goopy medication you take when your stomach is upset? Yup, wintergreen. I'm sorry I can't describe what it tastes like, there is nothing else like it.
Penley
I've not had pepto bismol but I've seen it mentioned. It's amazing how many commenters think that the north American experience is universal. I can say pretty safely that in my experience living in the UK, Finland, Australia and France there's not an abundance of wintergreen flavour. But thank you for trying to describe it, and sorry for getting a bit snarky but it seems some (other)(Garth)people can't understand quite how border-free the internet is.
martina
What are the "harvesting" methods of lobster and pâté that you object to!?
Robert
You don't like GoT either? I think i just like a little bit more just for that, although I just remembered you also don't like Hannibal so I think I also like you a little less, not that you might actually care
Rebou
I think you're feeling just a little bit peed off with something this morning darling, just a little bit. Now, why don't you tell Mommy just what it is and I'll try and help.
Because you now know (because you're over 40) that Mommy doesn't like brussels sprouts either, even though you keep serving them at Thanksgiving dinner, and I did keep this from you all the while you were growing up.
So let Mommy know what you're feeling hissy about this morning (just a little bit darling) and I shall try and help.
Lots of Love, Mommy. XXXXXX
Miss Chris SA
Brussels sprouts and Game of Thrones, I hear you! Wait until you are 50, rats arse comes to mind!
Therese
Wait until you're over 50! I didn't expect to like Game of Thrones, but I actually LOVE it! I don't care what you think. :)
Bee-Naz
Karen, I think I've recently started hating brussel sprouts just as much as you - if not more! I mean, I never really had a brussel sprout fetish or anything but I'd eat them if they were put in front of me. Occasionally I'd buy some and oven roast them with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Easy. A vegetable to have with dinner. Done.
Now, a fun story shall we? I was at the grocery store one Sunday afternoon and decided to pick some up to have with dinner. Got home and started washing them to throw in the oven. Cut the first one in half. Hmm. What's this we have here? Worms? Okay, into the compost it goes. Cut the next one, worms?!? The next and the next and the next and MORE WORMS!!! I went through almost the whole bag, getting more and more sick to my stomach each time I found it festering with little wiggly worms!! I mean, sweet swaddled baby Jesus!! How many times have I shoved one in my mouth without so much as looking inside? How many wiggly brussel sprout worms have I eaten in my life?!?
Lesson learned. NEVER. AGAIN. *shudder*
Gillian
*gag*
I've never had them and now I most certainly never will....
I used to love oreo cookies but, my sister showed me a picture of one with a spider stuck in the icing. ...never again.
Bee-Naz
Noooooo!!! Not Oreos too? And Blackberries?! Is NOTHING sacred anymore? Stupid bugs...
JulieD
Ugh-The same thing happened to me last year with blackberries.
gabrielle
That's the kind of produce I expect from my local Zehrs market. It's tough up here for an ex Californian (tho not any more, I gather)
IRS
Stop whining. Free protein.
Karen
Yeah, that's those darn brassicas. They get cabbage worms. White moths lay eggs on them and they turn into green worms which live out their life on broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts etc. They're your basic horror show. ~ karen!
Penny Mitchell
There's a nasty little bugger called carrot fly, too. Surprisingly enough they attack carrots (!) which results in hordes of tiny wriggly white grubs inside the roots. Hasn't put me off carrots, though, just the shop that sold me the infested produce. Quality control, Tesco?
Basically, any veggie you care to name has a pest that has evolved to make it their food of choice. If that's a good enough reason for you to eschew the whole brassica tribe, great, more for me! On the other hand, the only vegetables I've tried and found utterly revolting were okra (nasty slimy little snot-tubes) ackee and eddoes. I think it's all about the texture with me.
Tori Minard
But worms are high in protein! You really should learn to enjoy them. If you try my recipe, I'll bet you change your mind. ;)
Ann Brookens
I'm sure you name your holiday side dish Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Worms! Yum!
Tori Minard
Nope, hadn't thought of that. But now that you mention it, that's a great idea! I think I'll make a little sign so everyone knows what it's called. :)
Ann Brookens
Excellent! I'd love to see the expressions as your guests read the label!
stephanie
You can buy Fitbits at Chapters. Hate, hate, hate beets, kidneys, liver, heart, tongue, brains and lima beans.
lisa
I've felt this way for a while now. I think it means you're a grown up.
Not only do I hate Brussel sprouts, I also hate broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. And I even have to tell my own mother, I am 47 freaking years old and I do not have to eat them if I don't want to! And I will not make other (little) people eat them either.
Darn right.
gabrielle
Respect for kids tastes - provided they don't become too narrow and picky - is an excellent parenting skill IMHO.
Happily
I'm right there with you Lisa, on all . My husbands loves all of them, and he makes them all himself; for himself! Leave me out of all those choices period!
Violet Rose
Brussel sprouts really really suck. Stinky little cabbages of horror. Hair would definitely be more palatable.
Jacquie
Love that - "little cabbages of horror", hehe. And so true of course.
Robin
Brussels Sprouts! Yum! I don't care if you don't like them. Game of Thrones - first three books - Yay! All the rest can be thrown in a blender with barbershop trimmings and then buried under the compost heap.
Paula
A 'bit' random, however; I just bought a Fitbit and I followed your link on your previous post but it took me to the American site. Perhaps that was on purpose?
Karen
Hmm. Normally it (Amazon) switches you over to whatever country you're in automatically Paula. I'll look into it. :/ It could be that Fitbit doesn't sell on Amazon.ca and you *have* to buy it from Amazon.com. ~ karen!
Milton
Karen I don't know if it is a hormonal thing or what but I really feel you are stressing out about something that I haven't detected in any of your previous posts since I've been following you. Hope everything is going well for you. I really don't know who Hiltler was but am guessing it could be a typo. Hope you feel better in the morning. We all love you.
Karen
Nope. No stress. ~ kalren!
penley
Mentioning something might be hormonal is always going to go down well haha
Heather
Oh my I feel old - someone really doesn't know who Hitler was?
Ann
You don't know who Hitler is? I can't imagine any person on this planet of any age who doesn't know who Hitler is. Maybe study just the basics of World War 2 history?
Karen
Milton does know who Hitler is. I had misspelled Hitler as "Hiltler" in my post and this was Milton's clever way of pointing it out without saying "HEY. You spelled Hitler wrong". He refers to the typo. ~ karen!
Ann
Ah ha!! I sure didn't catch that. Some one else with dry humor, much like mine, that not all seem to get quickly!!
Kath
You're over 40? You'll never make me believe it.
Shana Beirne
Amen, sister! I couldn't agree with you more!
Debbe Van Ness
No one has responded yet? humph. I don't like that.
I also don't like lima beans, really truly don't like them, probably like you don't like Brussels sprouts, although I know you don't care.