What Would the Setbacks Do?

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Pass the Tums

March 10th, 2015

Saul Downsend writes:

Hey guys,

I've followed this column for years. Are you still taking questions? I hope so!

Every year I take a trip down to Austin with my close friends to partake in South by Southwest. I'm not sure why an airline puts on a music festival, but that's not really here nor there.

Anyways, I consider myself to have a fairly sophisticated palate. As you can probably imagine the majority of the cuisine available in Austin is of the "Tex Mex" variety. I like that - trust me I do - but my friends insist on taking us to this one Tex Mex restaurant for breakfast pretty much EVERY DAY when we're there. It's all tacos, burritos, enchiladas and refried beans. Which I enjoy - trust me I do - but after day 3 it does do a bit of a number on my digestive tract so I'd like to mix it up a bit and suggest we try something new. However, I'm worried that my friends will be unreceptive to the list of suggestions I've collected from Yelp.

Can you offer any advice on how I broach this with them?


Trevor
Listen SAUL! When in doubt, go with KISS. Not the over rated rock band, the clever acronym: Keep It Simple or Something.

If your tummy is having a Tough Situation, just go take that size 10 in one of the other guys' hotel room bathrooms. Just destroy that toilet. They'll think twice before suggesting another south of the border meal.


Steve
Awaiting wisdom...


Paul
Awaiting wisdom...


Chris
Hey Saul,

There's millions of people with no food on this planet, and you're flying to Texas, where the toast is 10 times bigger. Sure - you might have a bad case of this shits - but is that the worst thing that's ever happened to you? I'd bet, no.

I don't think you should bring this up at all with your friends. It's not like you guys are sharing a room, right? It's not like you're sharing a bed with your friends - nose to toes - like Charlie's grandparents were as they downed cabbage soup. On that note - you might want to bring along a DVD of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, just for shits and giggles. In case the point is lost on you - if and when you your intestines begin fermenting whatever you ate, you have options when it comes to privacy. Let mother nature work it out, and save the pretentiousness for your boss.

Bottom line is - friends before culinary preferences, Saul. As a sidenote - I'd highly recommend checking out Applebee's at 6315 S IH 35 Frontage Rd when you're there. I had a wonderful basket of chicken fingers on my last visit to Texas' state capital. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the breading was fresh, vibrant, and interesting. The presentation was also a 10, and the service was lively and attentive.

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