Monday, August 9, 2010

to eat or not to eat

I can’t help but smile every time I watch this video. If you were placed in a room with a marshmallow (or a chocolate cake, or a margarita…whatever tickles your taste buds!) and promised that you would receive a second one if you didn’t give in to temptation, do you think you would wait? The reactions and restraint that these children display are priceless. While it seems like a cruel trick to tempt these tots with treats, it is too cute not to watch.


Temptation is a funny thing when it’s placed in front of you in the form of a treat. As much as I know I don’t need it, I have a hard time not wanting seconds when it comes to dessert. After getting over the cute factor and looking into the video with a little more logic, there are too many variables that wouldn’t have occurred to me at such a young age and it makes me question what choice I would now make. I’d like to ignore the fact that wanting two of something when you already have one is greedy but I can’t push that from my mind. And I don’t really think these children are being greedy – who wouldn’t want seconds as a child? But I now know better than to need more than what I’ve been fortunate enough to have received in the first place. And with an unfortunate understanding of sugar’s lack of nutrition, I think I would be more proud of myself if I only went for one tasty treat as opposed to toughing it out and treating my tummy to two. Politely declining the second helping no matter how bad I want it would now take more self control than staring that marshmallow in the face for several minutes in the hopes of its multiplication.

All logic aside, I love this test. I love the way these children take it so seriously, knowing what reward they will receive. I think I could be patient if performing this test at my current age, but twenty years ago? I wonder how long I would have suffered. At what point do you say, I’ve waited long enough and I’m eating that marshmallow? When does the torture of staring at a sweet become too much that the prospect of having two just doesn’t seem worth it anymore? I am more than impressed by the patience that these cuties demonstrate, and their clever ways of avoiding that appealing marshmallow, and I can only hope that my self restraint would have been just as good as theirs.

Would you give in? What temptations are too good to give up?

16 comments:

Ashley said...

Yikes! I would probably give in. My weakness is sweets: ice cream, cookies, brownies, cheese cake. I should weigh 1000 pounds with my habits! Luckily I'm super active, because I frequently give in to temptation of the sugary persuasion.

Stop by and say hello!
http://theinfinitemadness.blogspot.com/

Hugs and Macarons,

Ashley

Diana Mieczan said...

That is a cool video....I always give in...I love chocolate so much....Yummy:)
Kisses,sweetie and have a great Monday

k said...

I watched this video in psych classes...and it never leaves my head when i'm trying to decide if i want something now or to save my money, haha

Teresa Tran said...

this is freaking hilarious, i would probably eat it . i am so impatient

Unknown said...

love your blog! and video! :)
following you now, hope you can follow me back!xo

www.ninaonthemoon.blogspot.com

Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...

Ahhhhhhhhh adorable!!! :)
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

I would probably give in - I have a major sweet tooth. In fact I could go for some cheesecake right about now.

Sarah said...

i'd have to give in! This is too cute! xxx

Anonymous said...

That was adorable! I wouldn't give in for a marshmallow, but for a brownie... that's a whole other question. :)

Tiffany Kadani said...

If I knew I couldn't eat it later, I would definitely give in to temptation. Cheesecake- now that's something I have never been strong enough to resist.

Natasha and Jesse said...

I love the tricks the kids use to prevent them from eating the marshmallow. I wouldn't care about a marshmallow but ice cream, brownie or cheesecake? That's another story...

Aney Mei said...

Cute video. I would definitely give in - especially to any sort of dessert!

jules said...

Kids are too funny. I'm not a big marshmallow fan so I dont know, but do marshmallows even really smell?

A Perfect Peach said...

That totally cracked me up! I would've given in, I know it. I'm pregnant right now, and can't seem to stop thinking about cakes and ice cream - the marshmallow would've had no chance!

You Are My Fave said...

Kids are awesome. I would not give in for a marshmallow but maybe a brownie sundae.

S and O said...

Those kids are so cute!! As for giving into temptation I agree with Oscar Wilde. "The only way to be rid of temptation is to give in to it"

Xoxo
Sarah