To think that there are some people lacking in empathy and imagination

[KhloeKardashian]

Further to Jamie Oliver and his comments.

It got me thinking, the number of people who assume that those that are fat, unfit, don't meal plan, don't cook from scratch are well people?

Are there really people out there that think that everyone is well enough to meal plan? Have these people making these sweeping assumptions not realised that there are young people with neurological issues, mental health issues, learning disabilities, who appear as if they do not have these issues?

Are there really people out there who think that everyone is well enough to go to the shops themselves? That people don't have energy, mobility, mental health issues that make it difficult for them?

Are there really people assuming that everyone can stand long enough to prepare a fresh meal, that they can chop veg easily, that they can do so safely?

Are there people around who think that because someone is fat, that they became fat by no other reason than laziness and lack of knowledge? that reduced mobility, the endocrine system, ill health, emotional issues have no part in it at all?

That people don't exercise because they are lazy, or not good at planning their time, does it not occur to people that there are others out there who do not have bodies and minds the same and that it is a very difficult task for others to undertake exercise as it may not be as easy for them as it is for you?

Is there such harshness and lacking in empathy and understanding of others going around, that people have a competitiveness that because they can do achieve these things in their personal challenging life circumstances, that everyone else with different challenges should be able to manage the same?

Excellent post.

6 months on I am still recovering from a pretty horrendous labour and can't lift much, don't have energy to cook. When pregnant I was sick every day and night. I couldn't cook anything much.

The thing I don't get about Jamie Oliver is that his deli surely plays to tired mums who pay over the odds for a quick sandwich!

Way too many.
Mention that you are on benefits caring for 3 disabled kids and you're scum.

Well of course you are right, but there are ALSO lots of people who are perfectly able to and still don't. There are people with plenty enough mental capacity to meal plan and budget and yet don't.

now, I think Jamie bloody Oliver has a cheek having an opinion when he's made millions from fannying about on tv, and that its not his, or indeed my business what people do about their food in their own homes, but aren't you just as much reducing people to their circumstances as he is? And somewhat patronising people by insisting great numbers of them are incapable of doing much at all?

OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly really do you have access to each of their medical records to state that they are perfectly able to do so?

Its not that they don't have empathy its because they don't care.

no. Could you please read what I wrote. I said, yes you are right that there are people who are not able, but there are also people who are.
Are you seriously suggesting that every single person who is not up to La Olivers standards is in some way medically incapacitated?

Please do not argue against a post you have not read properly, or misunderstood.

YANBU at all.

I think its quite obvious that he means those who are able!!

I'd like to put Jamie Oliver on Olanzapine for a year then tell him off for getting fat and therefore by definition 'lazy or greedy'.

Try meal planning when you are befuddled by serious MI. When your finances are so precarious that one more bill or unexpected expense will eat into essentials. You cannot afford to buy in bulk when you have £20 a week for food. Look at what a large packet of toilet rolls/wash powder/granulated sugar/sack potatoes/pasta sack costs and it'll take too much out of the pot meaning no money left week by week for milk, bread and other essentials.

Maybe having an option to receive benefits monthly might help w/ cash flow to buy in bulk. Or getting together w/ friends to buy bulk items, something I have successfully got some of my clients to do.

I don't think it's that people lack empathy, it's that it's almost impossible to actually complete a sentence if you have to include every single iteration of circumstances that might not make it possible. When people generalise, they are talking about the general population, most of whom will be capable of doing things. I don't think it helps to say that nobody should be able to make a comment unless they are prepared to include all kinds of caveats against potential exceptions as then nothing is said.

In answer to your post, no I don't believe there are people that believe that, and I've seen no evidence from any of these threads to suggest they do. Of course there are exceptions, he's not addressing the mentally ill or physically disabled, he's addressing the general apathy of those that can do all of those things you've listed above, but still won't. Not because they can't, but because they won't.

Well I won't be lining his pockets again, no more JO books will pass this threshold.

Some people can't look out of their own ideology and accept everyone is different, everyone has a varying degree of resilience and different ways of coping with the hand they've been dealt in life.

Yes there are people like those listed above. But in reality they are examples that are few and far between.
JO may have hit a nerve with a lot of people who use various ailments as an excuse for anything. Just because you had a stroke /broken leg/ insert other medical condition ten years ago does not mean that you are now still sat on your arse enabling this behaviour because 'I had a stroke etc'. Get up and do something about it, 90% of overweight people could do something about it and they choose not to. Why do we always give people excuses,

Yes you could buy his oversalted, over packaged JO branded goods and then be insulted by the man who made millions out of selling them. A poster on the other thread highlighted how unhealthy his pasta sauces are.

He uses a lot of oil in his general cooking also, way more than I would use.

I didn't know he created branded goods, and unhealthy pasta sauce, at least I feel better I only wasted money on his books.

PeneopePitshops I think you have made a very fair point. I have seen this with my own eyes. My sister in law thought nothing of having takeout most nights because it was easier to her than cooking a meal. There was nothing wrong with her apart from being lazy and she was overweight.

I plan all meals (healthy ones) and cook from scratch, but am still fat because I like cake too much. Meal planning helped us survive when we had no money at all, but majority of people we know do not plan their meals, as they just don't have the resolve to decide what to eat several days in advance. Nothing wrong with that ofcourse, you do what works for you. Also know tons of skinny people who live off frozen pizza and take away. I think it's just far more complex than what it appears!

No Littleen! Be off with you and your complexity. Keep things simplistic and bigoted.

YANBU...but, I'm kind of with OnTheBottom as well.

I am fat because I overeat. I am intelligent and can cook well, and frequently do - I just eat too much! I don't meal plan because it's a bore and I don't like doing it. We have enough to not have to. I don't have any additional needs in the slightest, but sometimes I can't be arsed making a healthy lunch for work and will have a sandwich with a can of coke, then a chocolate bar and a bag of crisps. I know that's not healthy, I know I should do something about it, but right now I lack the motivation and willpower.

In your case what is behind you lacking motivation and willpower? I understand it that if you were well mentally you would feel you were wroth making that healthy lunch, if you are lacking in self esteem and motivation, why is that?