Picky Grouchy Non-Cook FAQs and Not So FAQs
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE A PICKY GROUCHY
NON-COOK WHO COOKS BUT ISN'T A COOK?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE A PICKY GROUCHY
NON-COOK WHO COOKS BUT ISN'T A COOK?
The answer to this question appears to be yes, as illustrated by this email communication by Sara Stout.
Also, it's relevant to note here that there are many ways to be a cooking non-cook. Subject: picky grouchy word smith, non-writer & non-cook Dear Evan,
Without wanting to write too much this morning (and because I never find much time to write in general) -- I wanted to drop a line to bring your attention to a very picky grouchy linguistical distinction that I think might be worth considering for someone in your field. This wordy situation has been brought to my attention by a new wave of people in Portland who ride bikes, but are very picky and grouchy about what words are used to describe them. In particular, this new wave of bike-riding-humans do not like to be referred to as "cyclists" or "bike riders" because they believe these words are too static. Sometimes these human beings are bike riders, sometimes they are bus riders, pedestrians, drivers etc. and they like to be described in a more fluid fashion, where their human-being-hood comes first. They believe that to be referred to as "cyclists" make them seem like an alien-being. They would prefer that their transportation choice be used only as a transient determinant of who they are. Complicated perhaps, but maybe you follow my gist. The distinction often comes up when a media-outlet reports on a traffic incident and if a person involved happened to be riding a bike, he or she is referred to as the "cyclist". A very vocal group of picky grouchy human-beings here in Portland believe that this static description tends to elicit a negative response from people who do not identify as cyclists -- and/or do not have any cyclists in their circle or friends or family. + They have waged a campaign to change the way people use words. I have never engaged in a conversation about this linguistical detail, but I have always thought it was a pretty interesting subject. In the case of transportation choices, personally -- I have been happy to be identified as a "cyclist" or "bike rider." My choice to ride a bike is deep-rooted enough that that feels right to me. I am happy to be described as a cyclist first and if my human-being-hood is obscurred by being identified as a cyclist -- that's ok by me. In sum, what I am trying to convey is that I identify as a bike rider, while some folks who ride bikes do not identify as such. And, I wonder -- if in your eyes these sometimes-pedalers could possibly be described as picky grouchy non-cyclists even though they do sometimes or even often ride. Similarly, I wonder if there may be many of us who are picky grouchy non-cooks, even though we do in fact cook. My train of thought started when you asked about my willingness to share my strategies as a non-cook & I had to question whether I really was a non-cook, when the reality is that I like to cook. In fact - I cook everyday. . . but I do not identify as a cook. In short, I prefer to be thought of as a human-being who cooks, rather than as a "cook". I try not to be picky or grouchy about it . . . but that's my deal. In my view - a true cook is someone who makes fancy dishes and has the confidence to know which entrees will be appropriate for which situation. They know all kinds of subtle cooky things -- like how hot to put the burner for different situations. They know their spices. Their timing is precise when they are making multiple parts of a meal .. . And most of all cooks identify as a cooks. Similarly, I do not identify as a writer. I am just a person who writes sometimes. While - you, I think are a writer . . . . OK. Apparently, I could go on and on, but I have written far more than I originally intended . . . Hopefully, I have written enough words that you will be inspired to ponder the linguistical distinction that I attempt to illuminate. Maybe you've pondered this picky paradox at length. In that case, I invite you to ponder some more. Sara Stout is an artist and bike rider based in Portland, Oregon. She is an accomplished bike mechanic, kinetic sculptor, muralist, bike shop-owner, and radio show host as well as a pedestrian and bicycle safety instructor for kids. Sara has promoted bike culture in Portland and elsewhere through art, activism, organization, participation, and celebration of bicycles and bike riding. She currently enjoys sewing bike gear for Black Star Bags in SE Portland and dreams about cooking couscous on her tiny alcohol-fuel camp stove (made from a soda pop can) on her next long distance bike adventure. |