[Sca-cooks] P B & J

[Judith Epstein]

On Aug 24, 2009, at 4:45 PM, Lynn wrote:

> Sometimes "no thank you" can be just a short polite way saying many  
> things that one might not want to really go into or discuss -- such  
> as: I'm full, I'm not hungry, I've had enough; I really don't care  
> for XXX because it gives me gas, makes me have heartburn, makes me  
> belch, etc.; I don't recognize everything that is in that dish and  
> might contain something I'm allergic to; I'm watching my calories,  
> carbs, food portions; or a variety of other reasons.

Understandable, but what about "Does this dish contain <problematic  
ingredient>? Oh, dear. I wish I could have some, because it looks so  
good, but I'd better not, as I have adverse reactions to <problematic  
ingredient>." That tells the cook that you're not refusing  
hospitality, nor are you just dismissing the dish out of hand; you  
have legitimate reasons for not tasting the dish. A simple "no thank  
you" doesn't tell the cook anything useful. Explaining the reason for  
the refusal will help ensure that in the future, there'll be something  
you can eat.

Judith