Why is tolerating spice such a point of pride for so many folks? I’m not immune to it. Part of me does think I’m better than others because I can handle a spicy dish. But that’s totally unfounded. I guess we see it as a point of pride or strength since you need tough taste buds to take it. But it’s not necessarily something I earned or something I had to work for. I feel like it mainly depends on what types of cuisine you were brought up around and what you ate as a child. My parents made sure I wouldn’t be a spice wimp, so they started me early. 

But there were always those kids who dared each other to eat a whole chunk of wasabi… so they get some credit for putting their bodies on the line. And the celebrities who go on Hot Ones, sure. But for those of us who can’t take the heat, these spicy memes will have to do.