Adapted from a recent online discussion.

Dear Carolyn:

My extended family is coming for a long weekend. I haven’t seen them in a while and I’m looking forward to seeing them all.

My dad is a picky eater in ways I don’t really understand. Last time he was here, he complained about the farmers’ market eggs that I bought (“the yolks are too yellow”), the homemade cheesecake “let’s go get fast food soft-serve instead”), and he wouldn’t eat the pancakes I made because the only syrup I have is maple. He has always been picky, but I don’t really remember what he likes, I haven’t lived with him in 12 years.

I like cooking, so it hurts my feelings when he turns up his nose at what I make. It’s not like I’m trying to force-feed him liver and kale. I can’t afford to take everyone out for every meal. Other than handing my dad a map of fast-food locations, how can I deal with him for the next four days?

Picky Eater’s Child

You do know what he likes: junk, and whatever else you don’t have.

Please see it as a control issue and let it slide.

I’m not suggesting he’s the classic control/emotional abuse/I-must-manipulate-others case, but instead someone on the less extreme end of the insecurity spectrum: someone very uncomfortable so far off his turf. And so he fixes on anything new to him, and complains about it to shift the blame for his unease somewhere else.

If it helps, think of the people you’d expect to complain about too-yellow eggs and desserts that aren’t bland and predictable enough: little kids. They’re unnerved by a world that feels too big for them to manage, and want both the comfort of the familiar and the relief of making their fear someone else’s problem.

So, in addition to not taking things personally, ask your dad beforehand for his preferred cereal, brand and flavor of ice cream, and some other standby foods you can offer when your pumpkin pie is way too orange and antioxidant-rich for his tastes.

Re: Picky Dad:

My dad couldn’t tell you what he likes; he eats what my mom puts in front of him. You may be better off asking your mom.

Anonymous

Asking this to the wind: Will this archetype endure as long as humanity does?

Re: Archetype:

It will go on as long as there are husbands who stand in front of the fridge and call their wives to ask if the milk is still good. While looking at the milk. And the wife is out of the house. True story.

The Wind

Of course it is.

Re: Picky:

Once when my parents came to visit I made a meatloaf. My dad LOVED it: He had seconds, thirds, licked the gravy off the plate, etc.

My mom blew up. My dad always hated meatloaf and refused to eat it when she made it. My dad insisted my meatloaf was just so much better. The kicker: I used my mom’s meatloaf recipe.

Anonymous

Not only is it a great story on its own, but we also get to wonder what your subliminal message was in cooking for your father’s visit something he “always hated.”

Write to Carolyn Hax, Style, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071, or tellme@washpost.com. Get her column delivered to your inbox each morning at http://bit.ly/haxpost.