Mini-Cuke's and SCC

Recently when I shared with someone who doesn't know me very well a few of my likes (mini-cucumbers, Steven Curtis Chapman - who I affectionately refer to as SCC) the response I got was something like this:

Accompanying that response was the emphatic exclamation, "Oh no!" (and while you might be tempted to think I am exaggerating let me assure you...I am not!  Imagine my surprise at this reaction to such non-controversial things.)

REALLY?   

Are we really so self-absorbed that we can't appreciate that others like different music, food, drinks, TV shows, books, movies, etc than we do?  

Are we really so self-absorbed that we can't be okay that people might not dig the same people and things that we do?  

Are we really so self-absorbed that we must put-down, criticize, comment, devalue, diminish what someone else likes that differs from our likes?  

Are we really?  

Well as it turns out.  

Yes, yes we are.  

The response I got took me by surprise and I had to bite my tongue from winging back a stinging retort. And the look on this person's face - one of true distaste - stopped me in my tracks.  

I felt, for a moment, devalued and diminished for liking things that were different than this person's.  

But then I got a grip.  

I started examining my responses to people when they tell me they like Haggis and Merle Haggard.  Perhaps I have communicated non-verbally, as this particular person did to me, the same thing: if you don't like what I like then you hold less value.  OUCH.  

My friends, actions (to include non-verbal communication) speak much louder than words.  Would this person actually say they don't value me because I like mini-cukes and SCC?  No.  In fact, they would probably be offended that I would suggest such a thing. BUT.  But their non-verbal response communicated that I do hold less value just because I happen to love crunching on some mini's while bee-bopping to SCC.  

So I'm thinking about the next time a person shares with me that they like Haggis and Merle Haggard.  While those things aren't my cup of tea it's okay that someone does like them.  So may my non-verbal response look a little like this:

Accompanied by a "Good for you!" 

I have a feeling if that is my response the person will feel okay about being different than me.  

And you know what?

That's REALLY okay.