Comments on: Sideways Sayings # 2: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover

By: Jerry Smith

Jerry Smith — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:44:48 +0000

Hi Andy
I like your post and must confess to judging many books (and people) by their covers and you are right - it is not usually a good idea. There are many times that I have made a snap decision based on appearance/mannerisms etc. only to have those conceptions shattered when I sit down with that person one-on-one.

So I would have to say that I don’t think one should judge a book by it’s cover. However I have to admit that it is inevitable that we do so given the pace of life and the number of people we meet. Sometimes we need to make snap judgements or we get swamped. I think that’s OK but we need to have antennae up all the time and make time for other people - after all you never know.

As for the fish fingers - we have them here but my kids (who are better judges of these things) don’t rate them as highly as those in the UK. I am in the US and my kids grew up on British fish fingers and so are probably biased!

By: Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:18:01 +0000

Hi Jerry

Yes - I suppose we have to do a balance between simultaneously judging and not judging - maybe making a first impression but then being willing to modify that upon further evidence.

And the fish fingers survey is up and running - anyone like to concur with Jerry about the quality of UK and US fish fingers?

By: John Hobson

John Hobson — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:33:26 +0000

I don’t think there’s a human who walks this earth who doesn’t judge book by its cover to some degree, and the ones who say they don’t are probably liars. I think the most we can hope for is for people to be aware that is what they are doing and to be open-minded enough to allow themselves to change that initial perception.

As for fish fingers, I’ve not had any for about 2 years since giving up fish and OH! how I miss them. Their carefully honed bread-crumbed bodies providing a sumptuous exo-skeleton for the creamy and succulent (assuming you didn’t leave it under the grill for too long) fishy goodness that lies beneath. Marry that up with the softest white bread you can find and a good dollop of ketchup and you have perfection in a sandwich.

So no, I don’t miss them. Not at all.

By: Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:16:17 +0000

All credit to you, John, for staying off the fish fingers for so long when you obviously enjoyed them so much. That’s the best description of a fish finger sarny I’ve ever read (well, it’s the only one I’ve ever read, but that doesn’t lessen its accuracy). Sorry for setting off any pangs of desire. If it’s any consolation, they’re just as good as you remember.

By: Long Finger Rob

Long Finger Rob — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:28:56 +0000

Note to any/all voters around the World………Amy Winehouse would NOT make a great leader.

Fishfingers! I love the crunchy little devils (and OHHHHH, how the recipe has improved over the last 24 months….sorry John).

I agree with Jerry and John. It’s impossible to stop yourself judging people ‘on sight’, however a quick scan of the first page or the back cover can quickly help with those initial assumptions. Sometimes a little gem may be found by simply taking those extra few seconds. I’m lucky….I can’t afford a big, World destroying car, but I CAN afford LOTS of ‘extra few seconds’. I’ve met some fantastic people that otherwise would have never enriched my life. That car?……Depreciating in value the moment it leaves the showroom. My life and experiences?…..Appreciating by the hour (or every few seconds in some instances!).

You’re doing a great and very worthwhile job here Andy. Keep it up. I wish I’d discovered it sooner (I knew it was here……but today is the first time I’ve ‘discovered’ it…….a bit like ‘listening and not hearing’ etc etc, if you know what I mean.

By: Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:11:32 +0000

Thanks for the kind words - and some deep wisdom there too, Rob. Sorry I didn’t reply sooner to this one (6 months!) but I only just found it.