Autocondimentors (great word) aren't being entirely illogical. If every carrot you've ever eaten tastes better to you with some salt, would it not make sense to pick up the salt pot when you are served a plate containing carrots? That's certainly my approach. There is no way I would put salt onto any form of mixed food (stews, fried rice, lasange, chilli con carne whatever.....) but if I have a meal of roast potatoes, veggies and whatever, then I am perfectly justified in adding salt (to the veggies alone) without tasting them first.
Further, as I suffer from Anosmia (no sense of smell) I tend to eat food which is spicier, sweeter or saltier than some would prefer. Otherwise, literally, a boiled potato can taste just like a cauliflower or an apple, with texture being the main way I tell food apart. I also have a very healthy blood pressure. For this reason I don't feel in the least guilty about picking up the salt and pepper pot before tasting the stuff on my plate, with the provisos I outlined earlier.
