Food choices can say more about a person than what they want to eat. Some people look at a menu and choose a familiar dish. Others notice a dish with an unusual, foreign or abstract name and decide to try it. This choice can sometimes be seen as an attempt to appear different or impress others. Psychology offers another explanation. Psychology says people who try food items with unique names aren't necessarily being difficult, pretentious or simply trying to show off. Their choices can be connected with curiosity and cognitive exploration. People who are attracted to unusual names may have a higher level of openness to experience. They may enjoy novelty, variety and unfamiliar situations.
The name of a dish can also affect what a person expects before taking the first bite. A complex name can create a mental image of the food. That expectation can influence how the person experiences the meal.
