[LeThanhPhong]

[Quora] What's the dumbest thing you've ever done food-wise?

Answered by Dushka Zapata:

My father and I were sitting at a beautiful Japanese restaurant.

The waitress came over with a heavy pot of tea. She served him. She served me. She set the pot on the table. She stepped away.

I took a huge gulp. It was boiling hot.

My dad was looking right at me when this happened and instantly – before my brain could come up with what to do - he issued a command.

“Spit!”

I did.

I felt so ashamed. Also, I was in pain! The insides of my mouth felt blistered.

“Dushka,” he said. “It’s better to be embarrassed than to scald your mouth and your esophagus. Your well being first. Social norms second.”

Over the years I have considered what a metaphor this is to life.

Have you ever put yourself in harm’s way to avoid being rude?

Your well being first. Social norms second.