Asian obsession with food [Archive]

kimchee63

11-25-2002, 09:19 AM

Food was a source of conflict early on in my marriage with my European American wife. Her family eats to keep from going hungry, whereas in my family eating is a sit down social event. Has anyone else noticed this cultural difference?

Also, when I was travelling in Asia, I was most impressed with the food ordering process in Taiwan and China, which seemed to me to be a full blown negotiation process that included arguing over what went with what, followed by grilling the waiter. These people take their food seriously.

SunWuKong

11-25-2002, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by kimchee63@Nov 25 2002, 12:19 PM
Food was a source of conflict early on in my marriage with my European American wife. Her family eats to keep from going hungry, whereas in my family eating is a sit down social event. Has anyone else noticed this cultural difference?

Also, when I was travelling in Asia, I was most impressed with the food ordering process in Taiwan and China, which seemed to me to be a full blown negotiation process that included arguing over what went with what, followed by grilling the waiter. These people take their food seriously.
i don't know about other parts of asia, but i think the most interesting difference about ordering food in a restaurant (at least chinese restaurant) in a chinese area (china/taiwan/HK, etc) as opposed to western countries is that it isn't really necessary to look at a menu, even though most people do. most people already know a list of dishes that they know the restaurants would cook. and the names of chinese dishes! even if you know them, you'd have no idea what most of the dishes actually consist of!

ChinaLama

11-25-2002, 10:01 AM

I think this is more a conflict between Old and New vs East and West. I mean dinners WERE family affairs (re: norman rockwell paintings), either in Europe or America. But maybe for some years, people have become too "busy" to sit down and spend quality time just chatting and eating, and would rather "save time" by grabbing their food from microwaves and going to their respective dens to eat in solitude.

SunWuKong

11-25-2002, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by ChinaLama@Nov 25 2002, 01:01 PM
I think this is more a conflict between Old and New vs East and West. I mean dinners WERE family affairs (re: norman rockwell paintings), either in Europe or America. But maybe for some years, people have become too "busy" to sit down and spend quality time just chatting and eating, and would rather "save time" by grabbing their food from microwaves and going to their respective dens to eat in solitude.
i hear that italian american families are serious about their dinners!

angel nympho

11-25-2002, 10:37 AM

LOL, I guess Asian food just tastes that much better!

Hanuman

11-25-2002, 12:31 PM

I love food. I notice that old tradition families, no what nationallity they are, enjoy big family dinners too.

I also notice that when I bring my white friends down to China town with me to eat, they tend to order their dish, then keep it in front of them. It takes me a while to explain that here it's family style. We order a lot of food, put it all in the middle then dig in. After a lot of grumbling about, why don't you just order what you want to eat, and let me eat mine, they finally get it, and enjoy a nice social, variety filled meal.

Chris

11-25-2002, 12:36 PM

For with my non asian friends when they go with me. I would usually order the food that is written in chinese. First off they are impress that a 20 something year old can actually order off the "secrect" menu on the boards. (why they do it? Becuase I don't think people would love to see toad and tripes on the english menus) and second of all it way more cheaper. But Asian do take the food serious. Except for ghetto chinese restaurants. That is a class in itself.

ChinaLama

11-25-2002, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by Chris@Nov 25 2002, 08:36 PM
For with my non asian friends when they go with me. I would usually order the food that is written in chinese. First off they are impress that a 20 something year old can actually order off the "secrect" menu on the boards. (why they do it? Becuase I don't think people would love to see toad and tripes on the english menus) and second of all it way more cheaper. But Asian do take the food serious. Except for ghetto chinese restaurants. That is a class in itself.
Panda Express! What! What!

Chris

11-25-2002, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by ChinaLama@Nov 25 2002, 12:44 PM
Panda Express! What! What!
yes i meant that place. mall chinese food *shudders*

Elizabeth A.

11-25-2002, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Nov 25 2002, 10:31 AM
i hear that italian american families are serious about their dinners!
Are they ever! I have some Italian-American relatives (I'm not Italian myself, though) and I love having dinner at their place because everything's so good! And it's not just dinner, it's a social event.

Greeks are food obsessed too. I haven't had Greek food in so long: spinach pie and pastitsio and egg-and-lemon soup and eggplant salad...... oh my, am I getting hungry. I can't wait until Thanksgiving!

applehead

11-25-2002, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by kimchee63@Nov 25 2002, 09:19 AM
Food was a source of conflict early on in my marriage with my European American wife.  Her family eats to keep from going hungry, whereas in my family eating is a sit down social event.  Has anyone else noticed this cultural difference?  

I've noticed.
I've noticed this when i went to visit my relatives in korea and when they come visit our family.
they would make a huge deal out of every meal.
It was as if they spent the whole day with the anticipation of what's to be served for dinner.
And then they'd comment on every little thing.. " oh, this dish is a bit salty."
"this dish is good, what did you put in it?"
blah blah blah

i was SO turned off at first, 'cause it felt like the whole family grew up without enough to eat.
okay. well, i'm still turned off.

by the way, this is such a great topic. i'm so glad someone else noticed this too.

kimchee63

11-25-2002, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by applehead@Nov 25 2002, 01:45 PM
Originally posted by kimchee63@Nov 25 2002, 09:19 AM
Food was a source of conflict early on in my marriage with my European American wife. Her family eats to keep from going hungry, whereas in my family eating is a sit down social event. Has anyone else noticed this cultural difference?

I've noticed.
I've noticed this when i went to visit my relatives in korea and when they come visit our family.
they would make a huge deal out of every meal.
It was as if they spent the whole day with the anticipation of what's to be served for dinner.
And then they'd comment on every little thing.. " oh, this dish is a bit salty."
"this dish is good, what did you put in it?"
blah blah blah

i was SO turned off at first, 'cause it felt like the whole family grew up without enough to eat.
okay. well, i'm still turned off.

by the way, this is such a great topic. i'm so glad someone else noticed this too.
What drives me crazy is when my mom starts fishing for compliments. I can see it coming a mile away ... "Oh this? You really like it? I thought it would be too salty ..." ad nauseum.

Thank god she's going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving.

Has anyone here discussed the relationship between Asian men and their mothers? I could go on and on.

luv

11-25-2002, 06:35 PM

A Middle Eastern friend of mine is happy with eating grilled cheese sandwiches all day long or cheese pizza for weeks at a time. An Italian friend (probably exception) basically lives on pasta or mac 'n' cheese. Others I know can eat salads or burgers every day for years.

I think Asian foods tend to have a slightly better variety because I can never eat just the same thing over and over -- so that carries over when I eat other types of food. Whereas friends of other cultures probably didn't do much but casseroles in their households.

ChinaLama

11-25-2002, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by kimchee63@Nov 25 2002, 11:10 PM

What drives me crazy is when my mom starts fishing for compliments. I can see it coming a mile away ... "Oh this? You really like it? I thought it would be too salty ..." ad nauseum.

there's a scene exactly like that in Joy Luck Club, where the mom says this in front of her daughter's white bf. And the bf goes, "oh it just needs a little soy sauce" and pours a ton over the dish. :D

thaite

11-25-2002, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Tawee@Nov 25 2002, 01:31 PM
I also notice that when I bring my white friends down to China town with me to eat, they tend to order their dish, then keep it in front of them. It takes me a while to explain that here it's family style. We order a lot of food, put it all in the middle then dig in. After a lot of grumbling about, why don't you just order what you want to eat, and let me eat mine, they finally get it, and enjoy a nice social, variety filled meal.
Awww man! I hate when people get like that. I mean, the portions are big! You gonna eat a whole frickin' plate of whatever and nuthin' else?

Okay, I'm hungry. Seriously.

And to answer the question in the original post: Yes.

applehead

11-25-2002, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by kimchee63@Nov 25 2002, 03:10 PM

What drives me crazy is when my mom starts fishing for compliments. I can see it coming a mile away ... "Oh this? You really like it? I thought it would be too salty ..." ad nauseum.

Thank god she's going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving.

Has anyone here discussed the relationship between Asian men and their mothers? I could go on and on.
oh that is so weird.
because my mom would say "oh, isn't this the best one i've made so far?"
hahaha. oh i guess they're both fishing for compliments.. just differently.
LOL

not-a-twinkie?

11-26-2002, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Tawee@Nov 25 2002, 12:31 PM
I love food.  I notice that old tradition families, no what nationallity they are, enjoy big family dinners too.

....I've noticed too....

With my family --
I think it's sort of a natural phenomenon, since it's like a social event, but also a neccesity -- kuz everyone has to eat!!! So when you've got the whole family together, ya might as well be there to eat together... since we all don't have that many other activities that we like to do in common... (like my uncle likes to golf, my aunt loves mj, my dad would rather go bowling / build models... etc....)

blkjade

11-29-2002, 07:07 PM

The Chinese are not the only that take their food seriously, Afro-American do too. Most will do this on Sundays and holidays. Now days everyone's too busy during the week to sit down together. :(

sal612

12-01-2002, 04:16 PM

Hey in Chinese restaurants, there's always the secret menu that only your parents would know. The stuff that's not on the menu, or they probably know the chef or something. :)

amietron

12-01-2002, 06:38 PM

is it true that filipino people prepare enough food for people to take home some, when they're cooking stuff for get-togethers?

SunWuKong

12-01-2002, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by sal612@Dec 1 2002, 07:16 PM
Hey in Chinese restaurants, there's always the secret menu that only your parents would know. The stuff that's not on the menu, or they probably know the chef or something.  :)
i know the secret menu. :D
and i order from it

iris

12-01-2002, 07:38 PM

heh, yeah it has all the "real" chinese food that hasn't been Americanized. I'd order from it too, but I can't read it.

deez nuts

12-01-2002, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Dec 1 2002, 10:29 PM
i know the secret menu. :D
and i order from it
:ph34r:

Sooopa secret

SunWuKong

12-01-2002, 07:46 PM

i miss chinese vegetarian food!

amietron

12-01-2002, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Dec 1 2002, 07:29 PM
i know the secret menu. :D
and i order from it
so does Chris..

sal612

12-01-2002, 10:22 PM

Yeah....it's none of that sweet and sour shit that people consider real Chinese food. Sigh...

kimchee63

12-01-2002, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by amietron@Dec 1 2002, 06:38 PM
is it true that filipino people prepare enough food for people to take home some, when they're cooking stuff for get-togethers?
In my mom's case, she considers it a failure if she hasn't prevailed upon you to have 2nds, 3rds, and take home some food for later. People have a hard time walking after eating at her house. :)

enygma

12-02-2002, 06:37 AM

i think food is a way for adults to show they care, since traditionally, asian parents aren't very demonstrative with their affection. i remember whenever i go home or we have a big family gathering, my grandma would say "mahn-i mukuh" (eat a lot).
on the other hand, i get nagged a lot by my mom to lose weight. that's another thing that asians are obsessed with. <_<

sal612

12-02-2002, 06:46 AM

Kind of like the movie Chocolat or whatever.

Napoleon Chynamite

12-02-2002, 08:33 PM

Regardless of culture or whatever, I still like having my own dish. No sharing! BLAH :lol:

sal612

12-02-2002, 11:06 PM

True...but sometimes it's no fun because family style restaurants serve those entrees that need to be shared with the other entrees to make the meal! Unless you order a riceplate or something.... :)

Azn Retribution

12-03-2002, 07:37 AM

heh well in asia.. its just that food is very hard to come by..
and I guess it is very social oriented..
Here in the US where food is alot plentiful
people seem to be more generous..
and I noticed maybe this is just filipino households
but they ALWAYS ask you if you want to eat
no matter whatt... "Are you sure" "You look hungry"
haha.. especially with my parents its annoying