A different kind of listening: being open to suggestions

One weakness many humans have is the ability to sit back and listen. We want to be heard and in control so much that we sometimes become so picky that we don’t take the time to ask others what they think—even when they’re experts. A comical area where this close-mindedness comes to life everyday that we should rethink is food preferences. You’re probably laughing, thinking, Katie- I want to eat what I want to eat. Where does listening fit in with food?

When I was younger, I ordered the same couple of meal items over and over again. Plain hamburgers, chicken pastas, the list goes on. But after studying abroad last year, I learned the value of trying new foods and asking restaurant employees to recommend something from their menus. They spend the most time around the place they serve food—and if they’re not eating it, they’re observing what everyone who comes in is ordering. Asking friends and wait staff for meal suggestions has opened me up to a whole new world of food: hummus, different ice cream flavors and even some seafood. Listening to the server recommendations provides the replenishing lesson that hired employees really are experts on their workplace—and even if we think we are smarter than them in some capacity, we’re probably not.

Asking waiters and waitresses what they recommend has gotten me to try a variety of new items throughout the years. Just yesterday, I entered Starbucks with a free drink coupon and told the barista that I wanted something fun that most people don’t order. She told me—“Order the salty caramel mocha.” On the surface, it sounds disgusting. I just started liking coffee less than a few months ago and suddenly, I want to drink it with salt and caramel? Ick. But I took a chance, tried the concoction and it was just as amazing as the barista said—like a chocolate-covered-pretzel flavored coffee. And it was amazing.

This has happened countless times in the past few years when I’m trying any new restaurant. Server suggestions have led me to the incredible inventions of the black bean hamburger, great steak sauces and a personal favorite—cotton candy ice cream and oreo cookies blended together. The variety of dishes and suggestions given showcase a server’s personality, and reflect what is both good and relatable.

So why did I waste your time talking about food? Because it’s one small reminder of how asking the right questions and listening from there on out is incredibly important in life. Just because we think we have an idea of what we want doesn’t mean we have to block out all of the  other forces that could somehow change that. Sometimes, there are experts right in front of your face and we blatantly ignore them out of superiority. Take advantage of others’ recommendations, don’t be afraid to ask for them and listen, and listen to what the people surrounding you say in everyday life so you don’t get lost in your own thoughts and miss what’s right in front of you.