Everyone has taste, yet it is more of a taboo subject than sex or money. The reason for this is simple: claims about your attitudes to or achievements in the carnal and financial arenas can be disputed only by your lover and your financial advisers, whereas by making statements about your taste you expose body and soul to terrible scrutiny. Taste is a merciless betrayer of social and cultural attitudes. Thus, while anybody will tell you as much (and perhaps more than) you want to know about their triumphs in bed and at the bank, it is taste that gets people's nerves tingling.

Summary

This quote suggests that taste, referring to one's preferences and judgments about art, fashion, cuisine, etc., is a sensitive and controversial topic. Unlike discussions about sex and money that can only be challenged by intimate partners or financial advisors, statements about taste can expose one's inner self to harsh scrutiny. Taste is seen as a revealing indicator of one's social and cultural inclinations, making people uncomfortable and defensive when discussing their personal tastes. The quote implies that people are more willing to share intimate details about their sexual or financial lives, while being cautious and guarded when it comes to discussing matters of aesthetics and preference.

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