I don't know if it's that I'm too old or too Southern, but I'm convinced that I've never heard of hookah bars for at least one of those reasons.

Runs off to google... ETA: So, it's exactly what it sounds like. What exactly is put in said hookahs? Tobacco? The I-swear-it's-not-pot-herbal mix someone on GC was talking about a few days ago?

ETA: Oh, and Dee, you should take a philosophy class. I love it when I have truly inquisitive people in my classes!

Actually, I think there is research indicating that things can taste somewhat different to different people.

Some people do put pot in hookahs, but that's not what it is designed for. It is designed for the smoking of flavored tobacco, similar to a standards pipe, except it is cooled by the water. They are a real big middle eastern thing, so any area with a large middle eastern or indian population will have them.

I hate grits, and oatmeal, but somewhat partial to Cream of Wheat.

I dont like beer either. Any kind of beer. I dont know if it is the initial taste of it that bothers me or the aftertaste that I dont like. I just dont like it. The thought of having it anymore makes me want to puke.

Yes, I'm sure that some people have a stronger sensitivity to sour or bitter, etc. I'm curious whether sweet, sour, etc. mean the same thing to everybody. I know what sweet tastes like to me. Does it taste like that to others too?

I know during my training as an OT in sensory integration, we learned a lot about textures (of foods even) and how they affect the central nervous system and, therefore, how people with autism react to them. Interesting stuff.

And Sydney: My liberal arts classes days are long gone! Now, it's just a Master's in IT security that I'm working toward. I have had my share of philosophy courses and they made me absolutely crazy, keeping me awake at night thinking about questions that have no answers! Physics did the same thing to me. If something is traveling faster than the speed of light.. oh my, it makes my brain hurt.

lol gross. MysticCat, you like liver, but you don't like soup? :)

For me it's all about the texture. I hate things that are "mealy" like old apples and similar textures. Kiwi gets me, too, for whatever reason.

I also can't get over the texture of fish. Well, texture + smell. I love shellfish but I'm horribly allergic. I haven't had any in about 7 years, since my last trip to the hospital.

Onions are another "ick" for me - love the taste (I use onion powder in just about anything) but I can't handle the texture.

DS - Grits=oatmeal=cream of wheat. Gross!

I have a hard time eating wheat or whole grain bread. I'll do the pasta, but I can barely get behind that and end up boiling it for 2-3 times the length of time you're supposed to.

Tim Horton's or bust. I will have Dunkin Donuts if there is no Tim Horton's nearby. Well... if I *have* to have a doughnut and doughnut shop coffee. Otherwise, I'll pass.

Also, I hate brats. And sauerkraut. Something that smells that bad should not be consumed. Basically things that are cooked with beer = no thank you.

I'll just stand in the corner and drink the beer instead.

Well, if people have stronger sensitivity to salty, sweet, bitter or sour, it seems like that would effect how taste in total is perceived.

You can come to my house to see this in action. We had macaroni (real, not from a box) even though we know son won't touch it. Something about the texture is so off-puting to him. How specifically does it affect the nervous system?

Nothin' gross about it. And I don't like liver, I love it. :D You cook bacon and then cook liver (dredged in seasoned flour with just a touch of basil) in a bit of the bacon grease. Wonderful!

And yes, liver has flavor and you can actually chew it. Soup is flavored water with soggy stuff in it, and after you eat it, you're still wondering where your meal is. There's nothing enticing, satisfying or tasty about it to me. :p

o.k. you actually made liver sound good with your little recipe.:)

and lol lol at the bolded. Hilarious! :p

MC already has his black card. Let's see if he keeps it with his response lol

LOL.

I like liver too, so I was thinking he might like chitlins like I do, with plenty of hot sauce. Mmm good.:D

No, I may lose the card on this one. I don't like chitlins. But like I said earlier, I do like haggis -- maybe the Scottish equivalent of chitlins? :D

MC you can have mine. chitlins is the one thing in the "never tried them and dont plan on liking them" category. probably the only thing - ive tried a lot of food that most would be grossed out by.

ETA: woohoo, 4400th post.