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OHHHH, It's so Delicious!!!!!!
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Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:15 am Post subject:

Quote:

I did not however throw my arms around, squeal like a pig, and have food shooting out of my mouth to show my gratitude.

That's not an exaggeration? Really? I'm going to watch people jumping up and down at a Korean restaurant or at a family dinner? Sure, there weren't other issues there that put an exaggerated negative spin on your memories and write up of the event?

Quote:

Do you even have a Korean wife?

What does that have to do with Korean people saying "Delicious"?

Quote:

Do you have any first hand experience other than what you've seen on TV?

Are you asking me if I, a person who has associated with Koreans for over a dozen years, and lives in Korea, has any firsthand experience in dining with other Koreans or eating meals in their homes? Seriously?

One thing, have you ever tried to put yourself in a Korean persons shoes and visualized foreigners and our mannerisms and imagined how they might perceive us? Have you tried to see yourself and perceive how you or other foreigners react to food you enjoy? What do you think they see? What behaviors do foreigners exhibit or engage in when they eat?

And if you think "eating calmly, while behaving in completely dignified fashion, and with simple, straightforward comments about the cuisine" is the right answer, you're not very good at this.

Being able to empathize and perceive how others perceive you or your own flaws or quirks or habits is one of the hardest things for people to do.

You do realize that we too make funny sounds when we eat, right? The hot cheese suction sound when eating pizza. The "hu hu hu hu" when eating something hot. The "Mmmmhhh" we say.

How many out there perceived the cheese scent we have or that our food is disproportionately fried and cheesed? That drinking from the bottle makes one look like an infant or person with a serious problem? Or its strange that there aren't towels for cleaning ones hands offered at restaurants and people do not regularly wash them before eating (not saying all westerners)? How about turning banchan into full dishes and overindulging on them? Making burrito sized wraps and stuffing your mouth full? Blowing your nose at the table?

Gee, when you put things like that it makes us seem like uncouth apes.

But we aren't and neither are they. Understand how things mirror and compare to each other.

J Rock

Joined: 17 Jan 2009
Location: The center of the Earth, Suji

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:55 am Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Quote:

I did not however throw my arms around, squeal like a pig, and have food shooting out of my mouth to show my gratitude.

Quote:

Do you even have a Korean wife?

What does that have to do with Korean people saying "Delicious"?

Quote:

Do you have any first hand experience other than what you've seen on TV?

I'm not going to argue with you anymore you're obviously a supremely intelligent person who has Korea all figured out. Not me nor anyone else can change your mind.

All joking aside, you need a girlfriend.

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 4:21 pm Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Quote:

But I did say that I've experienced times that your theory cannot hold true. As well, it runs counter to what friends and family members have said on the subject.

So you're saying Koreans don't say "delicious" as another way of expressing thanks to the cook for the time and effort they took to prepare someone or to express their thanks for someone buying a bunch of food for everyone?

Sometimes its inane babel, sometimes its delicious food. Sometimes its being polite and saying thank you.

Quote:

Yeah, they might to me. especially if there's volume and hand motions involved.

Saying "Those were some damn good ribs" is weird?

Here's what you may be missing... it's the exageration that's key! The over-acting.

"These are good ribs." is common.
"WOW!!!! SSSOOOOO GOOOOODDD!!!! nom nom nom, THESE ARE SO GOOOOOD!!!" is not so common. See the difference?

Quote:

No. I don't go on about stuff like that, THUS I find it odd when others do. Do you not get that?

Really? It's strange when people enjoy food?

Quit trolling and read. I said "go on about"... not enjoy. Stop your arguing for arguing sake.

Quote:

Funny. Traditionally in my family we were told to eat in silence.

Note - different cultures.

No, that's just one family. Are Canadian restaurants temples of silence? If so, then its cultural. If not, then that's your own family.

I thought you had experience in lots of cultures? You've seriously never heard of this before??? Here were some rules and my granpa's house
-Chew with your mouth closed
-no speaking unless spoken to
-no one left the table without permission
-no phone interruptions

and it went on. This is not so strange for that generation and culture. If you really have so much cultural experience as you claim, you would have recognized that. MANY European families were like this in my area (Hungarian, Ukrainian, German, etc...)

Quote:

Ah, here's the key. You're taking sides. Koreans are "normal", Westerners are "not normal".

No, you're not getting what I'm saying. There is a tendency for us from Western countries, and North America (and other people around the world do it too) in particular, to regard the rest of the world as "different" or "strange", when in fact we are the greatest cultural outliers.

It's not a western tendency - everyone does it. ppl go to other countries and note the differences. It happens, and it's common. Quit trying to make it an anti-Asian thing.

Steelrails wrote:

You do realize that we too make funny sounds when we eat, right? The hot cheese suction sound when eating pizza. The "hu hu hu hu" when eating something hot. The "Mmmmhhh" we say.

How many out there perceived the cheese scent we have or that our food is disproportionately fried and cheesed? That drinking from the bottle makes one look like an infant or person with a serious problem? Or its strange that there aren't towels for cleaning ones hands offered at restaurants and people do not regularly wash them before eating (not saying all westerners)? How about turning banchan into full dishes and overindulging on them? Making burrito sized wraps and stuffing your mouth full? Blowing your nose at the table?

Gee, when you put things like that it makes us seem like uncouth apes.

You certainly o love to turn things into one side vs another.

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:57 pm Post subject:

Quote:

"These are good ribs." is common.
"WOW!!!! SSSOOOOO GOOOOODDD!!!! nom nom nom, THESE ARE SO GOOOOOD!!!" is not so common. See the difference?

Really? Ever go out to dinner with foodies to a restaurant they are crazy about and listen to them prattle on for 15 minutes about the free-range chicken this, balsamic vinegar sustainable salmon that, etc. etc.

It just doesn't stick out because it is in our native language and the other diners look like us.

Quote:

I said "go on about"...

What do you think the Food Network is? There's a reason they call it food porn. Want to see foreigners drool over food? Take a couple people who have been here for 6 months eating small-town local whatehaveyou and drop em off at Sharkey's in Busan and listen to them ooh ahh and nom nom nom for 10 minutes.

Quote:

-Chew with your mouth closed
-no speaking unless spoken to
-no one left the table without permission
-no phone interruptions

Right, but where's the rule that says "Don't compliment the host on their cooking and praise aspects of each dish"?

I can't seem to recall that one. THAT's what we're talking about. Not talking on cell phones, not leaving the table. We're talking about calling the food delicious and praising it.

Please, show me the culture where that is rude to do to someone's family who invited you over to their house for dinner.

Quote:

Quit trying to make it an anti-Asian thing.

No, I'm saying that in general, and that's the point of the article, that North Americans tend to be highly unusual culturally and psychologically relative to the rest of the world.

Case in point to us its "weird" to live with mom and dad. In a lot countries, not just Asia, that is normal.

Quote:

You certainly o love to turn things into one side vs another.

Then you missed the point. The point was to show how from their side, certain things we do might seem to be "going on and on" or rude and crude. But they aren't. We just have a difficulty in seeing how our "normal" dining behaviors may be "strange" to others.

Underwaterbob

Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject:

On a forum full of stupid arguments, this one takes the delicious, delicious cake.

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:01 pm Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Quote:

"These are good ribs." is common.
"WOW!!!! SSSOOOOO GOOOOODDD!!!! nom nom nom, THESE ARE SO GOOOOOD!!!" is not so common. See the difference?

No. I don't hang around with "foodies", and quite frankly, don't think I've ever said the word.

Quote:

I said "go on about"...

We obviously socialize in different circles.

Quote:

-Chew with your mouth closed
-no speaking unless spoken to
-no one left the table without permission
-no phone interruptions

You asked about cultures where people are silent at the table - I gave you an example.

Quote:

Please, show me the culture where that is rude to do to someone's family who invited you over to their house for dinner.

Strawman! I never said that. Learn to read, and stop making up what others say.

Quote:

Quit trying to make it an anti-Asian thing.

Thus, I see no problem with Asians noticing/noting the difference when they visit North America. And I see no problem with the reverse.

Quote:

You certainly o love to turn things into one side vs another.

I think you're missing the point... and creating your own. People can observe and note things if they want. They do so from their own perspective, of course.

Again, what's the harm in observing cultural differences?

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:47 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Again, what's the harm in observing cultural differences?

Because I don't think this one is a real cultural difference, at least when it comes to North Americans.

I think this is "culture shock" vs. "cultural difference".

Is it standard practice back home to walk into quiet restaurants? Is it strange if someone drops off a plate of 'Ultimate Nachos' for people back home to go "wooooo" and start talking about the food? No, it isn't. Is it strange for people to talk about the food the ordered or the quality of the food at the restaurant? No. Is it strange to compliment the cook on the dinner when you visit someone's house? No, it isn't.

Quote:

You asked about cultures where people are silent at the table - I gave you an example.

So if I walked into a restaurant in Hungary, it would be like a monastery?

You are not at any time supposed to comment on how delicious the food is?

This isn't elbows on the table or fork in hand, this is saying the food is "delicious".

Weigookin74

Joined: 26 Oct 2009

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 1:49 am Post subject:

edwardcatflap wrote:

Quote:

You get a large variety of Chinese food in the USA. A lot of the Chinese food in the USA is very similar to that found on the mainland. Disagree?

No idea.

There's no egg rolls or pineapple chicken balls in China. Though they may literally have a dish with those really in it. Who knows?

All kidding aside, North American Chinese food was loosely based on Southern China or Cantonese whereas Korea's Chinese food is based on the Northern Chinese diet. But Koreans will tell you they invented all the Chinese food sold here like Jja Jjang Myeon and Jjeom Bong. Ha ha.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Chinese_cuisine

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:35 am Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Quote:

Again, what's the harm in observing cultural differences?

Yeah, I'd be surprised if my friends let out big exclamations about a plate of nachos. Perhaps that's a big thing in your circles, but my friends aren't "foodies", or whatever. We eat, and talk about things other than food.

Quote:

You asked about cultures where people are silent at the table - I gave you an example.

I haven no idea how it is in Hungary. I've never been there. I was talking about European (descendant) families I've observed in Canada. I also gave my grandfather's house as an example.

I think one of your major problems is that you think people are talking about simple statements like "this food is good."

Take a look up at the title. See the exclamation marks? And now take a minute to actually read what people are writing here. Don't try to respond to them all - just READ them.

Notice anything? It's the big over/exaggerated actions that people are talking about. It's not "This is good", it's "Wow! This is sooooo delicious!!!!!"

Perhaps you've never encountered this type of behaviour. Or perhaps you hang out with people that call themselves "foodies" (who the frak actually says that???) - I don't know. But as this thread shows, there are a number of people who find this happening noteworthy. No one is getting upset... at least I haven't seen anyone post that. But ppl are saying "Yeah, I've noticed that too."

And now people are saying that you've drawn this argument into the most ridiculous of places.

Question - do ya ever stop to listen to what people are saying?

Lazio

Joined: 15 Dec 2010

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:39 am Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

So if I walked into a restaurant in Hungary, it would be like a monastery?

You are not at any time supposed to comment on how delicious the food is?

There is an old proverb in Hungary that says: “A Hungarian doesn’t talk while eating”

While it is not exactly complete silence, if you talk to much it is considered an offense against the host, because instead of enjoying your food you use your mouth for talking. The best way to show your appreciation is to focus on your meal, enjoy, finish it and ask for more.
There is no “ahhh” and “ohhh” over restaurant food and not even at someone’s home. You can note if you think something is delicious by a: “mm, this stew is wonderful” but anything more than that would be odd. Also, compliments are given mostly when everyone is finished with eating.

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:31 am Post subject:

Quote:

Notice anything? It's the big over/exaggerated actions that people are talking about. It's not "This is good", it's "Wow! This is sooooo delicious!!!!!"

Right, but I think "Hell yeah man, Crave Case!" is an exclamatory statement. Or "The guac here is seriously, THE BOMB!"

Quote:

"foodies" (who the frak actually says that???)

Dude, seriously? What's next, "Who says 'hipster'?

Quote:

No one is getting upset... at least I haven't seen anyone post that. But ppl are saying "Yeah, I've noticed that too."

First, I could post "ever notice how Koreans are really quiet when it comes to complimenting a meal. They just sit there and refuse to acknowledge anyone's presence outside of their own little sphere." and there would be some schmoes who would be like "yeah, totally". You've seen that phenomenon.

I'd like to submit Dave Chappelle's "You ever notice how white people don't do use washcloths? Just a bar of soap. That's nasty. What if I want to wash my face. Or my feet." as an example of something where people are totally unaware of how they do something nasty to others, but because it is "normal" to them, they are unaware,

In the same vein, you may totally key on Koreans being effusive when food is brought out, but being innocently oblivious to ones own expressions of delight when an Ultimate Sampler platter is dropped off in front of them.

Sorry, I've seen to many times back home where people went nuts over food to find myself befuddled that Koreans ooh and ahh when food is set down in front of them.

To agree that this is somehow a uniquely Korean phenomenon would require me to ignore a lifetime of experience back home.

May I ask? How into food are you? I haven't really seen you chime in and go in depth on food threads. I know people who are the same way. They are genuinely perplexed by people who go off on food.

Quote:

Question - do ya ever stop to listen to what people are saying?

Dude, the 15 page Taco Bell thread speaks for itself when it comes to other cultures and people carrying on about food.

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:00 pm Post subject:

Again, I think that maybe it's key that we socialize in different circles. I don't hang out with Hipsters, and only recently learned of that term. No one I know is a Foodie, and if I said that amongst my friends, here or back home, I'd likely get confused looks. So... the people I eat with don't usually freak out when good food arrives at the table. "The guac here is seriously, THE BOMB!" would seem out of sorts with most of my crowd. Now, it depends on the individual in many cases, some are more animated than others, but generally speaking this sort of behaviour - especially in the contexts that I've seen it - is noteworthy for me (and apparently, others).

cabeza

Joined: 29 Sep 2012

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:15 pm Post subject:

Captain Corea wrote:

So... the people I eat with don't usually freak out when good food arrives at the table. "The guac here is seriously, THE BOMB!" would seem out of sorts with most of my crowd.

See I think that's the thing. I think Steelrails uses these hackneyed phrases and expressions and thinks everyone does. Maybe him and his friends sit around tables going "Oh yo, this pizza is off the hook. I'm such a foodie! I'm loving this! Yeah! Yeaahhh!".
I usually see that on badly written American sitcoms. No one I know personally would act that way. And if I heard someone do it I would cringe and want to crawl under the table.

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:59 pm Post subject:

cabeza wrote:

Captain Corea wrote:

So... the people I eat with don't usually freak out when good food arrives at the table. "The guac here is seriously, THE BOMB!" would seem out of sorts with most of my crowd.

You forgot to add "wazzzzaaaaapppp???!??!" lol

Perhaps it's an age thing. In high school and early 20's, I could imagine more people talking like this. They're still finding themselves. But I'm coming up on 40... and I just don't get excited about food. I love food. I eat between 4000 to 6000 calories per day (and track it), but I don't feel the need to ANNOUNCE it when I like something.

Now, I linked to a video of "black urban youth" and their responses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrbuUEJWxx4

While we al know that not ALL white people act that way, nor do ALL black people act that way, sometimes certain actions can become typical or stereotypical of a certain group.

People note differences. So long as it doesn't become hateful, I've got no issue with it.

transmogrifier

Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Location: Seoul, South Korea

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:17 pm Post subject:

What is this I don't even

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