Attack of the Food Over-Critics

Today I shall vent, not about corruption, sexism, surveillance or calamities, but about people who claim to be know-it-alls and their sole motive in life is to crib about all kinds of delicacies they are served with, I call them - The Food Over-Critics!

Food, flavours, tastes they are all subjective. What might be "Oh it was epic, mind-blowing you got to try it dude!" for me, would be "Yuck, it's so bland!" for my boyfriend (well that is where he and I differ in food matters and life).

My point being, I am all democratic about different tastes. I am not really fussy especially when eating out unless I am served with roaches in my soup (definitely not a Bear Grylls devotee). However what I have been noticing for a long time now is how much people can go on cribbing spree at 5-star hotels, restaurants, cafes, dhaabas, take away, thele wala or anywhere one is served cooked food or beverages. Personally all my experiences of dining with people (80% of them) have been nothing short of frustrating; friends, family, colleagues alike!

What makes them so highly critical of every little bite they take of the food which was ordered by who else but them only. How can all the food, in all places be bad? If it is so bad why don't they return it and ask for a fresh one after suggesting their own version or better still march into their kitchen and make it themselves? How can they manage doing both things at the same time - constantly cribbing and criticising the food, which they continue to hog. How does it happen really? What kind of food makes these Over-Critics happy? Or at least tolerable.

One might blame it on lousy service at many places, but I have faced the exact same thing at home even when it is a take away night or an order in lunch. When no matter what cuisine, what dish, what place it be, the food is disapproved of. See, there is a food expert (blogger/journalist/writer), a connoisseur, but sorry my dear overtly anal people, you are none.

Now the parameters for "the judgment" may vary from the usual (heard every time) "This is not good, not upto the mark!" to the more specific
"This is not properly cooked!" to "This is over cooked!"

"Should have ordered boneless!" "Boneless taste likes potatoes!"

"Why is the gravy of the butter chicken/shahi paneer sweet?" "Why is it not sweet?"

I mean COME ON!!! Make up your mind folks!

Then there is the breed who makes a face after the first bite or sip and just throw the rest away. What is that all about? It is not like you tasted Bat meat (no offence to those who love it).

Now here is a list of my questions to all these Over-Critics.

1. Who gave you the right to curse food which is edible, fresh, slightly different from what you might have expected, food for which you are paying your hard earned money?

2. How do you have the heart to throw and waste food? Were you all born of royalty in the medieval England?

3. How will you survive when you are travelling to some remote place or during an apocalypse?

4. What makes you experts at food? Clearly when all you do is find faults with everything?

5. Are you trying to teach me a subliminal lesson about society and politics?

My not so kind request to you all is: Stop Cribbing, Stop Wasting and Start Enjoying Food! Be Grateful! It won't solve world hunger problems but like someone wise once told me "You know the value of food when you know real hunger. Tantrums were cute only till the age of 3!"