It's a Matter of Taste, Innit?

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The canonical [Chicago-style hot dog] recipe does not include ketchup, and there is a widely shared, strong opinion among many Chicagoans and aficionados that ketchup is unacceptable. A number of Chicago hot dog vendors do not offer ketchup as a condiment. For National Hot Dog Day on July 19, 2017, Heinz created controversy by introducing ketchup, labeled as "Chicago Dog Sauce", to the disdain of many Chicagoans — but their effort also unearthed a minority of ketchup aficionados in the city. (Source)

There are any number of things in this world over which people will lose their minds. I'm not talking about politics, religion, or sex. (All things which are traditionally prohibited topics of conversation in wardrooms aboard the ships of the U.S. Navy. DAMHIK) No, I'm talking about people's preferences in things which we humans eat and drink.

Picture this Gentle Reader, there I am (or was) on the morning of each and every day, in the company cafeteria, preparing my morning ice coffee (more about which in a moment).

"Say Sarge, would you like a little coffee with your milk? Har, har, har."

Most days I will simply turn to the fellow, nod and smile as if I don't understand what language he's speaking and go about my business. All the while thinking to myself, "Why, are you going to drink it? What possible reason would make you think that I invite comments on how I like my coffee?"

Normally I ...

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I have often wondered at the folks who feel the need to comment on what someone else is doing or how someone else prefers something. It is, you might say, a pet peeve of mine. (Which, if I am truthful in this regard, I must admit to having an entire petting zoo of these peeves.)

When I make my ice coffee, the amount of milk I put in the cup, before ice, before sweetener, and before the coffee itself is added, amounts to perhaps 10% of the volume of the cup. No more than that. Yet there are people out there who find that to be too much. Mind you, if I was making YOUR ice coffee, I'd make it the way YOU like it. As I'm making my own, keep your unsolicited opinions to thyself. (A polite way of indicating that someone should seriously consider serving themselves a nice steaming cup of STFU. If'n you catch my drift. Yes, the "F" stands for "fire truck," sort of.)

In addition to the bystanders who like to comment on how I like my ice coffee, there are those who, at certain times of the year, question my imbibing of ice coffee at all...

"Wow, Sarge, it's like 20 below outside, how can you drink ice coffee?"

I was actually accosted with that question as I walked into work one morning during a very cold winter not so long ago. While my natural inclination was to just "smile and wave," that day I stopped. The following ensued...

"Do you like beer?" I inquired.

"Why yes, yes I do."

"Do you drink beer in the winter?"

"Oh yes, I love beer anytime."

"Do you warm it up if it's cold outside?"

"Well, no, that's ridiculous, that's..."

Usually at that point the light comes on and they cease inquiring as to the temperature of the beverages I prefer.

While I am on this coffee related rant, let me just chime in on the Starbucks thing. There are many in this country who hate Starbucks because of the political leanings of the corporation. On the gripping hand, there are some who love Starbucks precisely because of the political leanings of the corporation.

Personally, I go there for the coffee. I simply don't care what the corporation believes, nor what the employees believe. As long as my coffee is served as I like it, and they keep their opinions to themselves, I am more than happy to drink Starbucks coffee. There are times when the somewhat weaker (yet less expensive) offerings at some java emporiums just won't do. So I spend the extra coin and get what I want.

This is, after all, America, land of the free, home of the brave. To paraphrase Burger King, I can have it my way. (No, no, Frank, sit down. I said "have it my way, "not "did it my way.)

Another food and beverage pet peeve of mine (straight from the menagerie of peeves) involves Guinness. Yes, that delicious dry stout from Ireland. Yes, yes, I'm sure it tastes better in Dublin. Yes, yes, it tastes better on tap than from a bottle or can.

But d'ya know what's worse than a non-Dublin brewed, out of a bottle or can Guinness?

Why no Guinness at all! That's what's worse.

Now I am very particular about my beer, though not so particular as to turn down a free beer of nearly any variety (save this one). If I have to pay for it, I drink what I like, not what you like. If you don't like IPAs dinna disparage me for liking them. Ditto for stouts, porters, lagers, pilseners, ales, etc. If I like the taste, then I will purchase those and drink those.

"But Sarge, that beer you're drinking pretends to be from a craft brewery when it's actually brewed by Budweiser!"

Not to put too fine a point on it, but who fire trucking cares? I like the taste, if you don't, then don't drink the bloody thing, leaves more for me, right?

Never, ever talk to a New Yorker about pizza. Ever. And that's all I have to say about that.

One last thing, it regards chili, and it regards beans. I know what chili is, I also know how I like my chili. If you don't like beans, don't put forking beans in it. If you do, well then, go right ahead. And call it whatever you like, it's a free country, innit?

And really, it's all a matter of personal taste, innit?

Now go back to whatever it was that you were doing. I'm going to go have a hot dog.

Yes, with freaking ketchup on it.