(no subject)

[andrewducker]

When we are young the only way that we can be persuaded to do unpleasant things is to be told that they are good for us. Nobody ever needs to tell us that things we like are good for us, because we do them without needing reinforcement.

This gives rise to the strange feeling that things are only good for us if they are unpleasant. I wonder if this has generally negative effects.

Comments

[moniqueleigh]

I imagine it would if we never experienced anything "good for us" that was also pleasant. Luckily, my folks found a few things that were also enjoyable for me. :) Thus, while I may cavil still at those things I find unpleasant, I don't automatically think, "Oh, that's something I ought to be doing, so I'll probably hate it." Instead, I reserve judgment until I've actually experienced it.

Example: Normally, I hate spinach in any way, shape, or form. I know it's good for me, but I simply can't get past the texture or flavour. Recently, I had dinner with friends who are vegetarians. Roz didn't really know my taste preferences & made some sort of spinach-cheese casserole. Being a polite guest, I decided to go ahead & take a small portion (figuring if all else failed, I could sneak it on to hubby's plate since he does like spinach). It was goooood. I went back for a 2nd, larger portion. (& a 3rd, but let's not go into how much of a pig I can be.)