19 Comments
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Nancy Harmon Jenkins's avatar

WOW! The Old Codger re-emerges in all his cantankerous glory. But I fully understand, appreciate, and agree!

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Richard Goodman's avatar

I am very relieved at this point that NHJ approves!

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Rachel Webb's avatar

Thank you! I always go along with it when friends suggest it, but it secretly aggravates me, especially as I always choose the best dish.

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Richard Goodman's avatar

"...choose the best dish." EXACTLY!

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Christine's avatar

I hate sharing food too!!!!! HATE it!

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Richard Goodman's avatar

I love that you hate it!

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Kaylene's avatar

You've named my secret pet peeve. I don't like sharing food. It's mine.

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Richard Goodman's avatar

Yes, we're a secret society! It's time we revealed ourselves!

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David G's avatar

We’ll be sure to find you a restaurant to take you to that serves family style.

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Richard Goodman's avatar

Ha ha!

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Benjamin Magro's avatar

Honest, Brave, Funny, What more could a reader want?

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Richard Goodman's avatar

Thanks, Ben! Much appreciated.

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Jo's avatar

Though I have no problem sharing, you are in excellent company. Julia Child felt the same way. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/10/dining/greedy-is-good-a-new-resistance-to-sharing.html

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Richard Goodman's avatar

I hadn't seen this! I guess I'm in very good company.

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Elizabeth Godfrey's avatar

I'm with you. No sharing---unless at a Chinese restaurant, where it must be a requirement (at least with the Asian contingent of my family)

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Richard Goodman's avatar

No exceptions for me!

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olivier's avatar

Always funny Richard! Thank you. I missed the one about vegetarians.

I only like sharing when on a love date, when the one you love says "would you like a bite?" because you want to breathe the air they breathe, see with their eyes, feel everything they feel. And maybe they are curious about what you are having...

Like you, the collective dishes bugs me. Especially the logistics of them. Reaching over, figuring out how to fit different things on your plate, and having to jump from completely different tastes from one bite to the next feels a bit superficial.

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Richard Goodman's avatar

I'm glad you like it, Olivier. There is a link to the vegetarian piece at the beginning of this one. I agree with you about the one you love and sharing. That comes from a different place. I just don't like the dictatorial aspect of sharing.

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