The Upside of a Banana

There may be a bunch of bananas in your kitchen right at this moment, but--if you're like most people--you probably haven't given them much thought. Just for a minute, think about these two questions: Which end of a banana is up? Which end of a banana do you peel?

If you're like most people, you probably crack a banana at its stem and peel down. That works, most of the time. But did you know that monkeys peel bananas from the other end? It's actually easier, and more efficient, to pinch the stemless tip and peel. It also puts the stem at the bottom, giving you a little handle to eat the final bite.

Take a look at this "mind blowing" video:



So which end of a banana is up? Bananas grow in large bunches, stem-side down, with the fruit reaching up toward the sun. And it's easier to peel and eat with the stem-side down. On the other hand, a bunch of bananas sitting on the counter rest on their curved side with their stems pointed up.

Does it really matter which way you peel a banana or which end of a banana you call up? Not really. But looking at a daily task in a new way is a great way to shake up your perspective and remember that there is more than one way to look at the world.