A couple of weeks ago, I discussed about my default habit of leaving the original plastic covers on consumer products … for as long as they keep sticking to the shining surfaces. Along similar lines, here is another “save it for later” habit that I have developed over the years.
I nibble on chocolates for as long as it’s humanly (and hygienically) possible. I eat a very small portion, bit-by-bit, on any given day, and then I wrap the rest of it for future bit-by-bit sessions. Generally, the habit extends to any food item that I really like - although, it’s more obvious when it comes to chocolates because they are more readily available than other tempting foods and can last for several days (probably even months). In case of rare dessert treats, especially if it’s a very nicely prepared portion of tiramisu or flan, there is a good chance that I will spend more time on dessert appreciation and consumption than on the entree - in spite of the small serving size of the dessert. 
Again (like for the earlier “saving it for later post“), as I introspect on the possible underlying reasons, the only explanation I can come up with is the desire to make the pleasing experience last as long as possible. I don’t remember having to consciously build on this habit in the past - so probably, I must have had one of those “light bulb moments” during my childhood, when I suddenly realized that instead of wolfing down that well earned chocolate bar (which, by the way, was extremely rare in those days) in a few minutes, I might as well enjoy the goodness for the next several days! [well ... that's more like a "duh" moment].
On further introspection, I think it’s one of the most valuable self-taught lessons in my life on efficient resource management. Over the years, I have applied it to food, pocket money, salary, clothes, good will, accidental gifts, windfalls, campfires, etc. and I have to say that it has worked pretty well in most cases. It always feels great to save some good fortune (or valuable resources) for later use instead of blowing everything up in a matter of minutes.
Here is another example: think in terms of an awesome 4th of July fireworks celebration - how would you like it if, instead of a 40 minute dazzling display, all the firecrackers were exploded in the first minute itself? 
On a cautious side, there is obviously a limit to how far one stretches this habit of saving the good stuff for later. All nice things (food items or not) have a viable time frame - in the sense of a “best if used before” date. Delay the “consumption” for too long and things will start to rot. The trick is to find the right balance - and as trite as it may seem, that’s always where the buck stops … doesn’t it?
Image credit: concise.britannica.com
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Oh, what a big kettle of fish this is! LOL
In our family, one child eats as you do — slowly, deliberately, tasting everything. The other — well I might as well serve protein and vitamin-rich glop for all he cares!
I think it’s a personality thing. The more deliberate eater is one who notices details/nuances (and cares). The other doesn’t.
For me, it depends on my mood… and the quality of the food. Some days, I just “need” chocolate. A lot. A really good chocolate always takes me longer to eat because it has actual flavors that are worth noticing. Standard, ordinary chocolates fill the need for “chocolate” but aren’t worth lingering over.
Well, rather than apply any deep introspection to the last post, I’ll use Occam’s Razor and say you’re simply too lazy to take off the film. It doesn’t look new and doesn’t extend the product’s useful life, so sorry. The alternative is that you’re worried about exposing a surface with sticky residue.
For foodstuffs and other things that are consumed, it seems to be an issue of maximizing gratification or extending gratification as long as possible.
I hope, of course, that you’re buying high-quality chocolate, because nibbling on a Hershey bar is just plain nuts.
Thanks for inspiring me:) Good post.
Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
Productivity, Motivation & Happiness
Charlie, of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory did the same thing with his birthday chocolate. So you can probably identify with him the way I did.
Thanks for sharing all the other examples of making things last as long as possible and also putting in the context of not trying to make them last too long. Interesting.
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