Friday, February 11, 2011
Culture Shock
I personally have been working in the restaurant business for the past 4 1/2 years and throughout all that time I have met plenty of different people. Now I may not have ever been out of the country and been able to see what other cultures are like but I have seen how people from other cultures go out to eat. I personally will eat just about anything from different types of seafood or meat or vegetables and will eat almost any style of cooking. However, there are certain cultures that aren't as open as I am about eating. As an example, I have come across Jewish people that would not eat "bottom feeders" like shrimp or lobster and would abstain from eating pork. I have also seen Muslims that do not eat pork. Other people that practice Hinduism abstain from eating beef. Now while that may not seem normal to me because I am so open about what I enjoy to eat different people prefer to do things their own way. When I was growing up I wasn't supposed to eat meat on Fridays, although I do now.
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Hi, Scott, you don't have to go out of the country to see those differences between the cultures. As you said, eating habits are surprisingly different from your family or friends right here in Long Island. I have to say that you are fortunate in a way to be born in States - you know that there are many different cultures next to you and you understand that you have to respect them.Being born in a small country - I had to learn that : )
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ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you get to experience a lot of culture in the restaurant you work in. I think you are fortunate to be able to learn and experience all types of people in your everyday life. It is very interesting to me that some Jewish people abstain from eating "bottom feeders". I have not heard of this before and I am curious as to why. I might have to try Google for the reason at some point.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. I have only been to china once when I was four years of age so that barely counts since I do not recall much from that experience. One thing great about United States, especially New York, is the diversity in people and culture. We do not need to travel any further than a mile in any direction to meet people from all kinds of cultural backgrounds. Just in a city like New York, can give us experience almost every culture in the world.
ReplyDeleteI have also worked in restaurants for several years. I have experienced the same thing you have mentioned. Although the things you explained are mostly religion based its true that people from certain parts of the world will avoid particular foods and will value some food more than others.
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