some food analogies/metaphors that have come to mind recently

[brainwane]

From Emily McCombs in a Slate advice column last year:

In recovery circles, I’ve heard this described as “going to the hardware store for oranges.” In this case, the hardware store is your parents and the oranges are the love and support you rightfully wish they could give you. Unfortunately, the hardware store simply doesn’t stock oranges. And we save ourselves a world of hurt when we learn to stop going to people for things they aren’t capable of giving us.

From Frowner on Ask MetaFilter ten years ago:

....a "this is the way the world has to work or something is wrong" way. It's like my parents feel that you really aren't having breakfast unless you have a little egg-cup-sized glass of orange juice. It's how they grew up, there's nothing wrong with orange juice...but I had to get orange juice glasses for their visits because they really did not like not having orange juice at breakfast and not having tiny cups, even though I never have it myself and don't really have a use for tiny cups*. But breakfast is Wrong without orange juice in tiny cups - they're not tyrants, they're not selfish people, they just have this...deep....feeling that the way the world works requires OJ in tiny cups.

My point is that you do not need to be a selfish tyrant to have learned that something is just off about the world if your daily life isn't completely in line with your feelings, wishes and beliefs. You can feel this in a very deep way that feels "true".....

*My parents are great; I don't mind having the cups.

And I can't find this bit right now, but I remember a blog post where a guy mentioned that his usual order at a particular restaurant was such-and-such main dish, because "I like the potatoes it comes with." Which has stuck with me as a metaphor for doing something because you want a side effect that indirectly comes along with it, rather than intentionally and directly choosing the thing you want.

Comments

[watersword]

I'm laughing because my mother was recently in my apartment and I have a tiny pitcher specifically for when she visits because if there is no tiny pitcher for milk, something is profoundly Wrong.

[phi]

oh the hardware store/orange metaphor is _so good_. Thank you!

Oh! Yes!

[jesse_the_k]

The Home Depot metaphor is so relevant right now, thank you.

Eight years ago I admired holyoutlaw's fabulous food metaphor

Insisting on providing unsolicited advice is serving cheeseburgers to vegetarians

[conuly]

> In recovery circles, I’ve heard this described as “going to the hardware store for oranges.” In this case, the hardware store is your parents and the oranges are the love and support you rightfully wish they could give you. Unfortunately, the hardware store simply doesn’t stock oranges. And we save ourselves a world of hurt when we learn to stop going to people for things they aren’t capable of giving us.

I've heard this as trying to get pizza/tacos from a burger joint. Same metaphor. (Although, fair's fair, I do buy candy every time I go to Home Depot. They don't sell oranges. They do sell Reese Sticks.)