Grapefruit is for subversives

Today I ate a grapefruit for the first time in years. It was delicious. But I fear the grapefruit is up against it. I think it has fallen on hard times in the fruit world. I imagine sales of grapefruits--in their natural, rotund existence--lag far, far behind the more popular apples, bananas, and oranges.

Why is this so? Because the grapefruit makes you work to enjoy its goodness. And in a world of I-don't-want-to-do-anything-more-than-pop-the-lid-off-a-ready-made-fruit-cup-at-Starbucks, the overwhelming majority of folks just don't want to have to actually slice something open, work each section delicately with a spoon, and risk getting squirted.

Another, related point: the grapefruit rewards patience but punishes those in a hurry. If one approaches the grapefruit with the respect and gentleness it deserves, one can expect to leisurely enjoy a citrus treat. However, if one rushes the process, digging in haphazardly like a pig in a trough, one can expect to make a mess and be frustrated at the same time.

Do yourself a favor and eat a grapefruit soon. But don't do it while reading the paper or surfing the net or any other task you may be trying to multi. Just sit there quietly and eat the thing. Take your time. Enjoy the process. And may your subversive fruit eating be the start of something bigger.