Another post from my phone

[foxgrrl]

Something that I'm not sure of how to deal with, are people who are extremely reluctant to try anything new. Like if there is something that is special and wonderous for me, and I want to share it with someone, they'll be like "But what if I won't like that." and I'm like: "the future hasn't happened yet, and it's my favorite thing." and so I bring them to the special thing, and they complain biterly the whole time. Like if I bring them to my favorite restaurant, they go on and on about how horrible the food is. Because it's not just like McDonnalds. Or if I bring them hiking to my favorite woods, etc. They'll complain about the trees. Or complain about the sand at the beach, and all that horrible sunlight, etc.

I want to shake some sense into these people and tell them: "Listen! The person making your life horrible is you. You're the one calling everything horrible wherever you go."

What I really want if for them to enjoy themsevles and have fun.

EDIT: I was distracted and forgot to mention that from the moment the question is asked, they've alredy decided to hate it, long before the activity happens. (They'll go on and on about how horrible it's going to be.)

EDIT 2: This wasn't neccesarilly about just getting people to try new foods. There is an implicit message that underlies this mode of communication that the entire world should be absolutely safe and comfortable. Conversations will go like:
(Person travels thousands of miles to California for the first time.)
"Hey, have you ever seen the Pacific Ocean?"
"No"
"Would you like to?"
"Yes."
"Ok, well let's go now since it's the only opportunity before you leave."
"But what if your car breaks down?"
"Well, it's brand new, in good maintainence, has never had a failure to date, and I have roadside assistance anyway."
"But what if (some other unlikely problem)."
"(Not a problem)"
[Iterate pattern.]
"Ok let's do something else here while you have the opportunity. How about [local thingy]?
"But what if (another trivial problem)?"


Aargh, these arn't horribly grave problems, nor dangerous risks.

Comments

[quorpencetta.livejournal.com]

RAW called it neophilia vs. neophobia. Maude (from my favorite movie Harold and Maude) said trying a new thing every day keeps you young. And if age is a state of mind, then I could see how the mental exercise of a new experience could keep you energized and learning throughout your life. I personally have found millions of beautiful things in life by going into new experiences with an open mind. Finding beauty is part of what I consider The Point, so its hard for me to see why people would back away from that. But then, perhaps neophobia is an experience I have backed away from, from fear of its consequences, myself.