I’m sitting here having breakfast at the hotel in Delhi. It’s a buffet that comes with the price of the room. I order coffee and then go to the buffet. I read the offerings and walk the length of the table before making a selection. I’m not sure what most of these dishes are. It’s my first time in Delhi.

As I return to my table I begin to notice the number of westerners in the room – UK & USA mostly. What strikes me is that almost all of them are at the omelet bar or getting the traditional western breakfast. I see several of them lift the covers on the other foods only to quickly cover them. Indian dishes full of vegetables, soups, and spices don’t seem to appeal.

People seek out foods that are familiar…what makes them comfortable …what feels safe. I realize that this is not the first time I’ve seen this. It’s the same reason I hear tourists request “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” in restaurants in Vienna – the land of Mozart & Strauss. People want the familiar. They want the comfort and safety of the familiar. After all who ever heard of eating rice soup with tuna for breakfast?

I also realize that most people, when confronted by “foreign foods” are really not sure what the food is, how to eat it, what foods go with what foods, or how it may affect their digestive systems.

And they don’t want to look foolish if they decide to select a local dish. So it’s back to what’s familiar. I don’t see too much difference between business people and tourists. Nor is one group more likely to try something new over another. I’ve seen Texans visit Connecticut – they’re not sure they want to eat that clam chowder – “isn’t there a barbeque place near by?” And the Chinese restaurants in USA serve things I’ve never had in China! The food has been Americanized – made familiar because that’s what we’ll eat.

People want safety and security – especially in the food they eat. Everyone has heard the nightmare stories about someone who “tried” a local dish and immediately became a human toxic waste generator and reduced to a 90 pound weakling! I’ve heard the stories. I’ve had mild experiences myself – usually from differences on the water. But I’ve also had that experience in the USA.

So, back to my meal. I find a server and ask him to help me with some of the dishes. He happily explains what each dish is and what goes with what, and how you eat it. What’s spicy and what’s not. I make selections and return to my table. The Naan bread and chick pea gravy is very good. There is a tasty eggplant dish as well. I also like the rice soup (congee) with vegetables. I pass on the bacon and eggs.

As you might have guessed, I am not really writing about food. I’m writing about the tyranny of the familiar that plagues all of us. This is a human condition, a condition that lulls us into comfort. We get comfortable. Comfort is the enemy of thinking and creativity.
So what do we do? How do we get out of this rut? It’s fun to say that we need to, “Think outside the box.” But it’s tough to actually do it. What we need to do is stop and think first.
Here’s what happens. We see a dish like congee (rice soup to which you add vegetables, etc.) being offered. Out pops our “breakfast is...” box that says “Soup does not fit in here. Reject, reject, reject.” We have judged what breakfast should be and eliminated congee because it doesn’t fit in the box. When we do this we eliminate new possibilities and we condemn ourselves to the familiar.

Think first means that you start by suspending judgment. When we judge we not only put things in the box but we also label it. And there it stays bounded by the box and the label. Suspended judgment is the foundation of all creative thinking.

So next time you’re having breakfast in India don’t just walk by the Rawa Idli or Uttapam on your way to the omelet bar, think first about the possibilities. Then, try some.

From the deli in New Delhi…

Charlie