When it comes to most things I’m not particularly discerning. For example I don’t appreciate art snobs: those who think there is high art and low art. Whenever a person goes to the effort to express themself, I’ll be the first to clap approvingly. Whatever the form of artistry, or whatever the age or stage of the artist, I’ll be on the sidelines cheering. I think everything is beautiful, everything is awesome.
This doesn’t make me wishy-washy (although some may think so). I won’t be classified as a vanilla personality, even though my skin colour is suburban-mall white. When it comes to evaluating culture, I feel it’s a personal choice to like/dislike. It’s preference, not right/wrong. It’s perception, not judgement. Many have a discerning palette, but I’m too into variety or regularity to make me want to be fussy. I’m a What About Bob sort of Bob.
Regarding food, I believe I have a handicap, never diagnosed mind you. Some folk have a restricted sense of sight, while I think I’m below average in the taste bud department. If 2 to 8 thousand taste buds per tongue is considered normal for a human, I’d be less than 100. That means restaurant attendance is not dependent on the quality of the food for me. I’ll go for a nice atmosphere without the fresh ground pepper. Don’t try to impress me with your level of discernment by saying something like, “My the wine notes complement the kobe beef’s pastural excellence.”
A discerning person is perceptive and that’s a good thing for sure. But for a tasteless person like me, through no fault of my own, I don’t wish to be dissed if I don’t like what Top Chefs are dishing up for my dining pleasure. If there are spectacles for sight-deprived individuals it’d be a benefit to me to have a taste bud enhancement procedure so I could get all this ‘dessert to die for’ sensual response. If all the senses are important can we list those which have the most impact on our lives. Since my sense of taste is so malfunctioning I would rate it last (an advantage if you’re keeping your bodyweight under control). Sight certainly is highly rated for most people and with my glasses I give it first place in importance. Smell can put me off or make me curious, so I’m satisfied.
That leaves hearing and touch. I own a pair of hearing aids, yet I’m discerning as to where and when I use them. I’m irritated by tinnitus. It sometimes gets so bad I use the seaside wave function I’ve programmed to calm the noise in my head. When all is analyzed, I can declare with confidence that my favourite sense is touch. Rough, soft, wet, dry, cool, hot! Breezes over my skin excite, I adore the feeling of air through my nostrils. Noodles in my mouth are texturally toy-ish!
To be discerning is to classify. I’d rather go wow, when my senses allow. I’ll not let others tell me how I must sense my world.
