Posted on 12/07/2018 2:20:13 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
What I hear when you tell me my food is “strong smelling”
Before I left my home in Mumbai to study in the Netherlands, I thought the idea of cultural appropriation of food was outright bogus. I was working as a food writer for a startup back then, and I often wrote about new restaurants serving foreign food across the city.
I believed that food was a way to bring people across the world closer to one another. I believed that everyone was free to eat, cook, write about, and sell whatever food they wanted to. I still do.
Things changed when I moved abroad. My food, which I love, became a source of embarrassment. The lunches I brought to work attracted unwanted attention.
Once, I met a friend for coffee before an afternoon class, having just had lunch at home. “Why are the tips of your fingers yellow?” she asked, inspecting my digits.
“It’s because I cooked with turmeric,” I told her.
“Do you add turmeric to your food with all your fingers?” she probed in good humor.
I felt uneasy at the thought of admitting that my fingers were yellow because I had just eaten dal and rice with them. When I did tell her, she responded that, as a child, her mom would give her a rap on the knuckles if she dared abandon her fork and knife. I felt a metaphoric rap on my knuckles, too.
She probably noticed the crestfallen look on my face, and was quick to add an apologetic “I love curry, though,” before steering the discussion elsewhere.
(Excerpt) Read more at medium.com ...
These are only a handful of the many experiences I’ve had involving food and cultural appropriation. They make me feel like I need permission to be proud of my cuisine and eating habits—but this permission seems to be granted at the whim of others.
As a result, I’ve become increasingly protective of Indian food while living abroad. I am quick to rebuke friends and acquaintances for eating roti and rice like a burrito. I get upset when they call anything and everything Indian “curry.” And I snap when someone tries to school me about turmeric latte or curry powder.
People who eat messy curry dishes with their fingers should stay in their 3rd world s***holes.
So. I have just wasted two minutes skimming an article about some moron complaining about food shaming.
(sigh)
The Cultural Appropriation of My Lunch—
Just make sure you remember. Right hand is for eating, left hand is for . . . .
Talk about making mountains out of molehills.
It's amazing she actually has any friends ...
It is a valuable article. Just think how well you are now prepared to talk to Raj when he sits down next to you with his Rogan Josh, Samosas, Tandoori Chicken, Malai Kofta, Masala Chai, and Matar Paneer.
By reading this, your sensitivity has been raised and won’t make Raj feel bad.
Using eating utensils is more hygienic than eating with your fingers. Anyone is free to adopt that cultural practice from Westerners. I won’t get mad.
When I eat spicy wings or ribs I do so with my fingers.....which I wash BEFORE (and after) using the men’s room. Guys understand what I’m saying.
So scub up after your turmeric and you’ll be fine.
“Mountains out of molehills” - she sure was quick to apprpropriate thin-skinned Western Liberal behavior, wasn’t she?
I caught flak from my sardines...nuts to the whiners!
Yeah, can you imagine e spending any time with her? She’s a new member in good standing of the perpetually aggrieved class. Just what the world needs.
Maybe she should visit some Indian slums where they try to survive on 1,200 calories per day out of the garbage cans and dumps.
People resonated with the Apu character on the Simpson’s for a reason.
Your sardines gave you flak? Were they upset at being eaten for lunch?
Except for fried chicken, BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, corn on the cob and hot buttered rolls. No fork and knife for them! A hand and fingers looks like a fork anyway.
Sorry, but Raj does not sit next to me at lunch. Not gonna happen.
Not after I’ve observed Raj’s restroom habits at the office.
Need I elaborate? No, I don’t think I will.
Have you ever had mole smothered in turmeric..mmm
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