I've thought more about the question of what makes a fussy adult and how
to deal with them. I've decided that the definition of fussy is someone
who can't find anything to eat in a restaurant or social gathering or
someone who can't be polite in those situations.


Example: I don't eat raw fish. I know that lots of people adore sushi
bars, but I can't bring myself to try it. That makes me fussy. Except
that I happily go along to Japanese restaurants if that's where my
friends are going, and I can always find something to enjoy on the menu.
There's miso soup, salads, rice with vegetables, teriaki, noodles in
sauces, etc. To my mind, that means I'm not fussy.


From time to time I'll be at a friend's home when they're serving
something I don't like, but I can normally find a way to eat something
else they're serving without calling attention to myself. I certainly
don't have to bring my own food (though I normally offer to bring a dish).


There are actually a fair number of foods that I don't like. Some of
them I don't eat because of legitimate health concerns. Others don't
make sense, but I'm always able to order something in a restaurant or
turn down food politely. I'm not someone who has to have a lot of food
at every meal. If there's really nothing I care to eat, I can skip a
few meals without noticeable effect.


The stories of people who can be offered 10 desserts, turn them all
down, and insist on going out for something different, amuse and horrify
me. THAT'S fussy.


--Lia