Current Events > C/D: You should never salt your food before trying it

(+) Yeah! (+)

The interviewer remarked to me that I was lucky I was interviewing with them and not IBM. He told me that IBM had some really odd interview tests for its candidates. For instance, one of the tests was that the candidate was observed very carefully when taken to lunch. If the candidate either salted or peppered their meal before first taking a taste of it, it didnt matter how well the candidate did in the rest of the interview. They would not get the job.


When Thomas Edison went to hire people, he would take them out to dinner. If they salted their food before they tasted it, he wouldnt hire them.

There was the case of the Chicago executive who turned down a major publishing company post because the president salted his steak lightly before trying it. The steak may not have needed seasoning. How could I work for someone who makes such arbitrary and hasty decisions? the candidate asked.

What's your take on it
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this is the kind of power trip shit that people who have basically sacrificed their souls to corporate america get off on. it has no foundation in reality
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green butter posted...

this is the kind of power trip shit that people who have given their entire lives to corporate america get off on, it has no foundation in reality

Tell em verdant margarine
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Interviews and interview culture is so weird and for most jobs doesn't seem like a good way of determining whether someone is a good fit for a job.

green butter posted...

this is the kind of power trip shit that people who have basically sacrificed their souls to corporate america get off on. it has no foundation in reality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9aM_dT5VMI" data-time="
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I wouldn't base someone's values on it but they should see before dousing the meal with salt.
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This was discussed in Discworld. These people are known as autocondimentors.

http://mrstrellis.cream.org/?p=129

I can just imagine getting served by Gordon Ramsay and reaching for the salt...
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I rarely salt my food.

I salt it when I cook it, but when I order it, basically never.
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I was at a bachelor party recently and we rented this crazy house on the water and hired a chef to make steaks and stuff the one night while we hung by the pool. He served my one friend his meal and before trying it the kid said, "can I have some salt and pepper?"

The chef stood up for himself and told the kid it doesn't need it and he should try the food first because, as a chef, he knew how to make a steak. I thought it was awesome but the kid wasn't too happy about it.

Highly recommend hiring a chef for a large group. It was like $70 a person but you didn't have to deal with going to a restaurant and pay $8/drink with your $70 meal. Saved money, and ate great in shorts and a T shirt.
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Obviously. Sure, if you're a regular at a place and you've gotten the dish plenty of times before, go for it. But if you're trying a special or something new, it's rude to salt and pepper it before tasting. Disrespectful to the chef.

I know a lot of people are just absent minded and don't think about it, so I don't get offended. But it makes me sad when I make something special for someone and they douse it with A1 before trying it. There's this ancient Amish lady that does that all the time.
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imagine being the kind of person to not only be put off by something so arbitrary, but to even notice it in the first place
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If you go to a restaurant, idgaf do what you want. It seems silly, but whatever.

If someone personally cooks you food, seasoning it before trying it is extremely rude
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ThyCorndog posted...

imagine being the kind of person to not only be put off by something so arbitrary, but to even notice it in the first place

Imagine being the kind of person not pick up on such things.
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So, uh, what happens if I dump about half a bottle of tabasco on my food?

AssultTank posted...

If I've been to the restaurant before, I might salt something that I know needs it. Otherwise, I don't.

Same. There's a chicken place I go to that barely salts their fries. I almost always put some on before I eat.

DarkChozoGhost posted...

ThyCorndog posted...

imagine being the kind of person to not only be put off by something so arbitrary, but to even notice it in the first place

Imagine being the kind of person not pick up on such things.

imagine picking up on it and thinking about it at all. lmaoing at you rn
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Questionmarktarius posted...

So, uh, what happens if I dump about half a bottle of tabasco on my food?

Depends on if you tasted it first.

ThyCorndog posted...

DarkChozoGhost posted...

ThyCorndog posted...

imagine being the kind of person to not only be put off by something so arbitrary, but to even notice it in the first place

Imagine being the kind of person not pick up on such things.

imagine picking up on it and thinking about it at all. lmaoing at you rn

It's ok that you're less nuanced than the majority of socially adjusted adults. Don't worry about it.
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isn't that...normal?

*tries food*
"oh this needs more"

...why would you add seasoning if you don't know how much it needs?
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Absurd, like most of the rest of job interview culture.

D. Just let people eat how they want and dont fuss so much about it. Same goes if it's not even a job interview. If you're a chef and you're actually upset over someone seasoning your food, get over yourself.

There was the case of the Chicago executive who turned down a major publishing company post because the president salted his steak lightly before trying it. The steak may not have needed seasoning. How could I work for someone who makes such arbitrary and hasty decisions? the candidate asked.

Kettle, meet pot; he says you're black.

Fair, next LOL

Philip027 posted...

Absurd, like most of the rest of job interview culture.

D. Just let people eat how they want and dont fuss so much about it. Same goes if it's not even a job interview. If you're a chef and you're actually upset over someone seasoning your food, get over yourself.

There was the case of the Chicago executive who turned down a major publishing company post because the president salted his steak lightly before trying it. The steak may not have needed seasoning. How could I work for someone who makes such arbitrary and hasty decisions? the candidate asked.

Kettle, meet pot; he says you're black.

Do you also think it's totally fine to strike up a conversation with someone wearing headphones?

Do you see no issue with people that loudly burp or fart at the dinner table?

Would you judge someone that combs their hair differently than someone that lets it be messy?
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I know someone who saturates their food in salt. Got some chicken from KFC or Popeye's better salt it a bunch, then do it some more 1-2 more times later. Mcdonald's burger? Same deal. Put a buncha salt on it, then do it again. I'm not talking like 1-3 shakes, I'm talking 10 or so minimum, times 2-3.

Doesn't matter what it is, salt salt salt. Then complains of digestive/health issues they've developed. ... Well I don't know what could possibly be a factor.

Don't even try it first, just cake it in salt to the point it's almost like a glaze of salt.

My sister is a trained chef and made me breakfast once. I immediately salted my hash browns and she bit my fucking head off about how rude it is to salt something before you try it to see how much salt it needs.

I still do it tho lmao
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DarkChozoGhost posted...

Do you also think it's totally fine to strike up a conversation with someone wearing headphones?

Do you see no issue with people that loudly burp or fart at the dinner table?

Would you judge someone that combs their hair differently than someone that lets it be messy?

No, yes, no, but none of those are good analogies anyway regardless of what my answers would have been, so not sure why you are asking...

Philip027 posted...

DarkChozoGhost posted...

Do you also think it's totally fine to strike up a conversation with someone wearing headphones?

Do you see no issue with people that loudly burp or fart at the dinner table?

Would you judge someone that combs their hair differently than someone that lets it be messy?

No, yes, no, but none of those are good analogies anyway regardless of what my answers would have been, so not sure why you are asking...

Because all of those, like tasting your food before seasoning, are basic etiquette rules. They are on the same level.
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Nah, this isn't "etiquette", this is just uppity employers drawing false conclusions and entitled chefs thinking their shit doesn't stink and everything they make is perfect for everybody as is, when someone in the position that they're in really ought to know that everybody has different preferences and tastes in food.

So, no, it isn't anywhere close to being on the same level as "basic etiquette"

Philip027 posted...

Nah, this isn't "etiquette", this is just uppity employers drawing false conclusions and entitled chefs thinking their shit doesn't stink and everything they make is perfect for everybody as is, when someone in the position that they're in really ought to know that everybody has different preferences and tastes in food.

So, no, it isn't anywhere close to being on the same level as "basic etiquette"

facts. even though I personally never salt my food, all of this just comes off as so obnoxious
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I really like salt but restaurant food is already loaded with it. I usually only have to put it in mashed potatoes or french fries
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ThePrinceFish posted...

My sister is a trained chef and made me breakfast once. I immediately salted my hash browns and she bit my fucking head off about how rude it is to salt something before you try it to see how much salt it needs.

I still do it tho lmao

I usually salt things before tasting them because I like a lot of salt, and the amount that's used to prepare something is hardly ever enough for me.
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Philip027 posted...

Nah, this isn't "etiquette"

You are objectively incorrect. It is a standard part of basic etiquette rules. That's not something that can be debated.

If you think "keeping your elbows off the table" isn't something that needs to be honored, you don't have to follow it. But you wouldn't argue that it isn't part of basic etiquette. It's the same with this. Just because you disregard it doesn't magically make it not a standard etiquette rule.
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VipaGTS posted...

isn't that...normal?

*tries food*
"oh this needs more"

...why would you add seasoning if you don't know how much it needs?

Read it again, it's about seasoning food before you try it
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DarkChozoGhost posted...

Philip027 posted...

Nah, this isn't "etiquette"

You are objectively incorrect. It is a standard part of basic etiquette rules. That's not something that can be debated.

I'm debating it. What now?

If you think "keeping your elbows off the table" isn't something that needs to be honored, you don't have to follow it. But you wouldn't argue that it isn't part of basic etiquette. It's the same with this. Just because you disregard it doesn't magically make it not a standard etiquette rule.

Good thing that isn't what I think. It also still has nothing to do with the topic scenario, much like the 3 other imaginary scenarios you concocted.

Philip027 posted...

I'm debating it. What now?

Then you're in the same camp as people that debate the fact that it's rude to sit with your muddy boots on a neighbors' sofa.
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DarkChozoGhost posted...

Philip027 posted...

I'm debating it. What now?

Then you're in the same camp as people that debate the fact that it's rude to sit with your muddy boots on a neighbors' sofa.

You do know where this is going, right?
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/713/941/f41.gif

Whatever it takes for you to avoid debating the actual issue, I guess.

Get back to me when you actually want to refute what I said in #28.

Ok, I'll break it down.

Philip027 posted...

Nah, this isn't "etiquette"

https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_manners_3.html

Philip027 posted...

this is just uppity employers drawing false conclusions

They're drawing conclusions based on if someone follows etiquette rules that are nearly universally agreed on and known.

Philip027 posted...

entitled chefs thinking their shit doesn't stink and everything they make is perfect for everybody as is, when someone in the position that they're in really ought to know that everybody has different preferences and tastes in food.

Dunno why you seem to hate chefs, but they acknowledge that people have different tastes. That's why salt and pepper are provided with a dish at most restaurants, and often other condiments as well. So that people can season the food to their preference. But if somebody hasn't tasted the food yet, how could they know how much salt to add?

Philip027 posted...

So, no, it isn't anywhere close to being on the same level as "basic etiquette"

It is widely considered to be a part of basic etiquette rules though.

https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_manners_3.html
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Dunno why you seem to hate chefs,

I only hate chefs who try to dictate how I eat. I don't dictate how they cook.

but they acknowledge that people have different tastes. That's why salt and pepper are provided with a dish at most restaurants, and often other condiments as well. So that people can season the food to their preference. But if somebody hasn't tasted the food yet, how could they know how much salt to add?

Who cares? Why is it even anyone's business other than the person eating it?

Why do you think that the person is even going for the perfectly optimal level of seasoning? Maybe the dude is just used to adding seasoning to his food, the same way someone might automatically add mustard to his hotdog. Anyone faulting him for this is just on some whackjob power trip, end of story.

If you ask me, proper "etiquette" comes closer to minding your own business when it comes to matters that do not concern or affect you.

They're drawing conclusions based on if someone follows etiquette rules that are nearly universally agreed on and known.

If it was that "universal", explain this topic's existence?

Personally I've never even heard of this sort of thing until today.

Philip027 posted...

I only hate chefs who try to dictate how I eat. I don't dictate how they cook.

So a made up group.

Philip027 posted...

Who cares? Why is it even anyone's business other than the person eating it?

Same reason it's rude to burp. It's just standard etiquette.

Philip027 posted...

If it was that "universal", explain this topic's existence?

Personally I've never even heard of this sort of thing until today.

Some people are lacking in common knowledge. Your ignorance to something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The majority of people know about. Etiquette classes will always teach this. It's widely regarded as a standard rule. I even provided you a source to look into it. I'm sorry that you weren't taught proper etiquette and feel personally attacked because people might hold you to a standard that has always been present, but that you didn't know about.
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Autocondimenting in a restaurant is a dangerous pursuit several hot-tempered celebrity chefs refuse to put a cruet on the table and react with blind fury should any of their customers request salt. Salt, as Mr Ramsay or his like would point out, has already been added to the dish by someone whose taste buds have been honed by many years of fine-tuning. You have paid X hundred pounds for this experience, he would go on to say (quite reasonably), and now you insult me by suggesting that this fabulous dish, the pinnacle of haute cuisine, could do with a bit more salt.

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EndOfDiscOne posted...

Autocondimenting in a restaurant is a dangerous pursuit several hot-tempered celebrity chefs refuse to put a cruet on the table and react with blind fury should any of their customers request salt. Salt, as Mr Ramsay or his like would point out, has already been added to the dish by someone whose taste buds have been honed by many years of fine-tuning. You have paid X hundred pounds for this experience, he would go on to say (quite reasonably), and now you insult me by suggesting that this fabulous dish, the pinnacle of haute cuisine, could do with a bit more salt.

This is fair

Then again CE also thinks pineapple belongs on pizza
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EndOfDiscOne posted...

Autocondimenting in a restaurant is a dangerous pursuit several hot-tempered celebrity chefs refuse to put a cruet on the table and react with blind fury should any of their customers request salt. Salt, as Mr Ramsay or his like would point out, has already been added to the dish by someone whose taste buds have been honed by many years of fine-tuning. You have paid X hundred pounds for this experience, he would go on to say (quite reasonably), and now you insult me by suggesting that this fabulous dish, the pinnacle of haute cuisine, could do with a bit more salt.

I suppose some celebrity chefs can be ridiculous. Still, it's rude not to at least taste a dish before adding condiments
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This is true. People who load salt on to everything also die of heart disease. Those people who add salt to pizza are just asking for it.

TheKentster posted...

This is true. People who load salt on to everything also die of heart disease. Those people who add salt to pizza are just asking for it.

I can honestly say I've never heard of someone putting salt on pizza. To me, that goes against all laws of gods and men.
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this is definitely weird

i've never been eating and thought to salt my food
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So a made up group.

Hasn't happened to me, but if you bothered looking through this thread you'd see the group is certainly not made up.

Some people are lacking in common knowledge. Your ignorance to something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The majority of people know about. Etiquette classes will always teach this. It's widely regarded as a standard rule. I even provided you a source to look into it. I'm sorry that you weren't taught proper etiquette and feel personally attacked because people might hold you to a standard that has always been present, but that you didn't know about.

Again, it isn't even "etiquette", it's just an issue of haughty people with an inflated sense of self-importance making a snap judgment about other people on the basis of something that doesn't even affect them. Can't help but notice you've made no attempt to refute this.

Contrary to what you seem to think, I have been taught proper etiquette, and most of what I've been taught about it is actually sound and reasonable. This isn't. It's just a means of enabling people who think way too highly of themselves to keep doing what they are doing.

Autocondimenting in a restaurant is a dangerous pursuit several hot-tempered celebrity chefs refuse to put a cruet on the table and react with blind fury should any of their customers request salt. Salt, as Mr Ramsay or his like would point out, has already been added to the dish by someone whose taste buds have been honed by many years of fine-tuning. You have paid X hundred pounds for this experience, he would go on to say (quite reasonably), and now you insult me by suggesting that this fabulous dish, the pinnacle of haute cuisine, could do with a bit more salt.

And this really just proves my point. Don't care how "refined" your taste buds supposedly are, you still cannot make a sweeping statement about how everyone else prefers their food.

Instead of worrying about that, if you care so much for the customer's "X hundred pounds" that you're getting paid for making the food, maybe you ought to shut your mouth and avoid offending said customer so much that they just walk out without paying, which is certainly what I'd consider doing if anyone who prepared my food tried to give me a hard time about how I elect to eat it.

honestly who grows up to become like this? did your parents tell you "if your food tastes less salty add salt?"

i can't see how someone would go to a restaurant and think "i'm going to have to add salt"
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DiScOrD tHe LuNaTiC posted...

TheKentster posted...

This is true. People who load salt on to everything also die of heart disease. Those people who add salt to pizza are just asking for it.

I can honestly say I've never heard of someone putting salt on pizza. To me, that goes against all laws of gods and men.

Yeah there are a lot people who do it every time. They're sick. I tried it once many years ago and it was gross. It's already so loaded with salt.

yes if you add salt to your food before tasting it you are objectively wrong
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