Last month I took the grandkiddo to dinner with about 15 writer friends. He sat next to Jen and nosily asked what the unfamiliar stuff on her dinner plate was. She told him (salmon) and offered him a bite. He took it. (His father was about 29 before he would try a bite of anythng unfamilar, so I’m happy the 4-year-old is more adventurous.)
Cam took the bite of salmon and chewed. And chewed. And chewed, with his little face screwing up into the most comical of looks: oh no this is nasty but what do I do I can’t spit it out ’cause Mom says that’s rude but I can’t swallow it either it’s growing in my mouth help help help.
Being the mother of three and taking pity on him, Jen gave him a napkin and the approval to spit it out discreetly.
He later told me that was his no-thank-you bite.
Whenever they’re presented with unfamiliar food at preschool, they take a bite. If they like it, fine. If they don’t, then it’s okay to say no, thank you to any more.
I really like the idea, especially considering the alternative. At dinner Sunday night, he wanted to know about the seared ahi Granddaddy and I were eating. I gave him a small piece, which he put in his mouth, then said, without swallowing, “Yuck! That is DIS-gusting! Why would you eat that??”
Yep, the no-thank-you bite is much better.
Can this “no thank you rule” apply to people? Just askin’. What an adorable and polite munchkin!
I think it should definitely apply everywhere in all things.
Looking back at some of the people who caused grief in my life, I KNEW some of them were no-thank-you people from the first meeting. I’m going to keep this in mind for the future.
LOVED this. And also agree with your above reply.