The Dying Addiction (Yech!)

Nhan Dan ^ | 20 November 2004 | PHAN THE PHIET

[Army Air Corps]

I know that this item is old, but i posted it because 1) it has never been posted on FR, 2) this is an interesting glimpse into another culture, and 3) it makes me glad that I was born in the US where "drinking baby urine" is not a traditional addiction. Yikes!

[Army Air Corps]

Folks, this falls under the "Thank G-d I am an American" category...

[Army Air Corps]

Ping

There are some customs and practices that should fade away...

[Now_is_The_Time]

But remember, they're just as good as we are.

[Army Air Corps]

Frankly, this is a new one on me. I knew the old and fading habit of chewing betel nut, but I had never read about this nor have any of the Vietnamese folks I know ever said anything about drinking baby urine. Yech.

[Victoria Delsoul]

There are some customs and practices that should fade away...

Or I shouldn't read, yikes!!!

[Army Air Corps]

Judging by some of the statements in the article, the author is from Norther Vietnam. Most of the Vietnamese I know are Southerners. Odds are that this is a northern practice - and a rare one at that.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Doesn't change the yikes. LOL

[Army Air Corps]

Isn't that the truth. One may need a swig of ba xi day do forget about this practice. Dang, doesn't anyone in northern Viet Nam chew betel quids anymore?

[Victoria Delsoul]

What are betel quids?

[Army Air Corps]

Betel is a type of nut. The nut is wrapped in a betel leaf and chewed in a manner similar to cewing tobacco. Chewing betel, much like chewing khat, produces a mild narcotic effect. It will stain the teeth black after long term use.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Ugh... OMG, that's just awful! Did you ever do that?

[Army Air Corps]

Hell no - for several reasons. For one, this ol' boy doesn't ingest anything remotely narcotic. Also, I do not want my teeth stained. Also, it is, in Viet Nam, considered to be a "woman's thing." A guy chewing betel would be be tantamount to a man in our culture wearing lipstick and mascara.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Oh Lord, this conversation is deteriorating, but I'm having fun. LOL!!!

[Army Air Corps]

The good thing is that betel chewing declined sharply after the US influence came into Viet Nam. The idea of jet black teeth (healthy, but stained black) as a sigh of beauty gave way to gleaming smiles. Now, one rarely sees anyone but old women chewing betel quids.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I get the idea.

[Army Air Corps]

Yep, that is it! Now, women in Viet Nam want smiles like the women who appear in American movies - gleaming, straight teeth. I saw tons of ads and billboards for whitening toothpaste and other teeth whitening products.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I'm glad. That black stuff looks very unhealthy.

[Army Air Corps]

Well, it is a nasty habit.
Here is an example of ads in "socialist" Viet Nam.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Big business, huh?

But, since only old ladies practice this habit, what money is there to make? Didn't you say young women don't do it?