The word ‘interesting’ is a perfectly tactful word that expresses nothing. It has become a word that’s neither positive nor negative, conveying that exact degree of neutrality that is considered diplomatic. And ‘interesting’ was exactly the word associated with my first experience of artichokes.
I had read about artichokes and was willing to try, especially in a place where vegetarian food is typically associated with aubergines and courgettes, neither of which I enjoy tremendously.
So, coming to artichokes. You pluck the leaf, dip one end into the sauce and suck the pulp. Then you put the leaf aside to throw away.
Then you pluck another leaf, have the tiny bit of pulp with sauce and put the leaf aside.
Then you pluck another leaf, have the tiny bit of pulp and put the leaf aside.
Then you pluck another leaf, have the tiny bit of pulp and put the leaf aside.
At the end of half an hour, your stomach is nowhere near full, but you’re fed up of eating.
It’s the most boring vegetarian food possible. And so, when people I don’t know very well ask me whether I’ve tasted artichokes and whether I like artichokes, I reply, most politely, that they’re interesting.
Hmm, But I also want to try now 😀
Oh, you could eat the centre too, not just the leaves. But I warn you, it’s peculiar (not interesting).