What's the challenge?
To eat 3 oysters or more.
What are you afraid of?
I’m afraid of eating things that look, feel or smell disgusting. I try to avoid vomiting as much as possible (I know, pregnancy will not suit me well when the time comes), disgusting textures, flavors, and smells cause me to gag. A lot. In an effort to stay away from that uncomfortable situation, I embrace my safe food area which includes: pizza, mac’n’cheese, crunchy tuna roll, arepas, cereal and delicious looking things without eyes, tentacles or shells.
How has this fear affected your life so far?
This fear of disgust has limit my food choices big time; it has kept me from enjoying trips (San Francisco included), dinner parties and quality time with friends and family. People understand how picky I am so they have to always be careful not to take me to a seafood place or not to cook certain food when they invite me over. I don’t want to be the complicated friend anymore.
How was the experience?
I went to Balthazar for my parents anniversary so I ordered half a dozen of oysters for the first time ever. The challenge was to eat at least 3. It took me a few attempts before I could finally put the first oyster in my mouth. Everyone suggested to swallow the thing, I’m particularly bad a swallowing stuff (I don’t do pills, or shots either). That, of course, didn’t go well, so I immediately gave it back after gagging a few times. In order to complete my challenge I ate back the damn oyster and chewed it all the way… To be honest, it was liberating. I have to admit that I hated (deeply) the texture and even the taste, I still can’t believe people enjoy that, but at least I tried it! I ate another oyster to see if maybe the second time was the charm, it wasn’t. To change things up a bit, instead of going for my 3rd oyster I tried escargot (snail). I can only say it took me around 6 minutes to swallow that one. Equally disgusting. I feel brave I tried those two things I never thought I would; I’m proud of myself and now I can say I don’t like it and YES I’ve tried it.
What advice can you give others with similar fears?
I would say if you don’t want to sound stupid try the thing before saying you don’t like it. I did it, nothing bad happened, you can only feel proud about yourself after you do it.