Food

Food can be a challenge for everyone when traveling abroad. It may be a positive challenge: How can I find room for another one of those delicious squid sandwiches/strawberry bonbons/sheeps eyes? Or it may be a negative one: How can I possibly stomach that disgusting cheese souffl / goat curry/chocolate cake?

In short, one man s meat is another man s poison . There are all kinds of reasons why people find a food distasteful. There are religious taboos, of course, that can never be ignored, as McDonald s found to its chagrin when it fried French fries in beef fat without revealing this fact to its Hindu and vegetarian customers. Generally , though, international food chains are forced to take local tastes and religious prohibitions into account, so in India your hamburger is likely to be made of mutton instead of beef, and in France you can order a glass of wine with your Big Mac. There are also ethical questions that can affect food habits. Many younger people in North America and Europe who are concerned about animal welfare are becoming vegetarians, and foods like veal and foie gras provoke strong reactions because they are perceived as causing animals unnecessary suffering.

However, the main reason we are dubious about sampling food when we are traveling abroad is simply that it is new to us.

Local people have a tendency to present their foreign visitors with local delicacies to sample (usually from the best of motives), so you may be faced with an unfamiliar food whose taste or texture you find odd or unpleasant. Many Asians, for example, think that cheese, especially the strong smelling kind, is strange tasting stuff, whereas many Europeans wonder how Indians and Thais can manage to eat such fiery dishes. The British are amazed that Swedes can eat meatballs with jam rather than ketchup , while Belgians can t understand how the British can put vinegar instead of mayonnaise on their French fries. In short, the world is full of foods that people from other cultures find bizarre.

What I find most exotic is where the culinary traditions and tastes of one culture get transposed onto another. In England, the local fish and chip restaurant (a staple dish for the last century ”cod in batter with chips, otherwise known as French fries in the U.S.) near my parents home now offers egg rolls and chips. The egg roll is a vaguely Chinese-ish concoction of bean sprouts wrapped in a crispy coating. I ve heard you can buy pizza topped with squid or seaweed in Japan, while the specialty of the corner pizzeria here in Sweden is Pizza Indienne , which combines the more traditional tomato and onion base with a topping of curried chicken and banana . I haven t tried it yet ”I don t think my palate could stand the excitement.

If you simply can t avoid tasting a local delicacy that doesn t appeal to you, the recommended course of action is to cut it up small and swallow it quickly (and make sure you don t ask what it is!). However, if you really can t stomach something you ve been offered you can always blame a food allergy: Sorry, I m allergic to squid/dog/ buttermilk/Coca-Cola. This is one of those situations when a white lie is better than the truth.

LETTERS 48 “49

The links between specific foods and certain religious traditions

are strong ones. While some foods are associated with celebrations, others are forbidden to groups of believers .

Acceptable to all? Letter 48

FROM ARGENTINA REGARDING GLOBAL EATING HABITS

We re organizing a large conference here with participants from around the world and of every possible religion. I don t want to offer food that some of the participants can t eat for religious reasons, and I was wondering if you could recommend some foods that everyone can eat without problems.

As you probably know, pork is forbidden to Jews and Muslims, and many Hindus find it distasteful too, so don t expect many orders for bacon and eggs at breakfast . For Hindus, the cow is sacred, so they are not allowed to eat beef or veal. From the point of views of religious prohibitions, chicken is fine with most people ”even if chicken feet, which are a delicacy in China, are not equally prized elsewhere. Lamb is also acceptable to meat-eaters of all faiths. However, the more religious followers of Judaism and Islam only eat meat from animals slaughtered in a special way; this meat is called kosher and halal meat, respectively. Jews who keep kosher will not eat dishes that contain both meat and milk, so they won t eat lamb and beef served in a creamy or cheesy sauce. And similarly for many Jews, a meat dish followed by ice cream would be a forbidden combination. In addition, Jews who keep kosher use separate dishes for meat and dairy , so disposable paper or plastic plates would be a good option.

Fish (but not shark or the kind of shellfish that has claws) is acceptable to the people of most faiths, but remember that eating fish dishes that contain bones requires considerable skill with the knife and fork and your visitors may be used only to chopsticks. Finally, as many people of all nationalities are vegetarian for religious, moral, or health reasons, it is a good idea to check that there is an option for them at every meal. The golden rule, especially if your visitor can t read the menu, is to explain what ingredients are included in a dish so he or she can make an informed choice. If this is a large conference and you expect a lot of people, you may consider having the menu translated into a number of key languages and having them available for those who are interested.

Forecasting fasting Letter 49

FROM RUSSIA ABOUT INDONESIA

The last time my colleague was in Indonesia, he arrived in the middle of a Muslim fast, which caused some problems. I don t want to do the same. Can you tell me when it is?

Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim nation, although there are substantial numbers of Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists too. The fast you refer to takes place in the Muslim month of Ramadan and as the Islamic calendar is lunar -based, and the start of Ramadan is marked by the first visible appearance of the crescent moon, an event that is very difficult to predict exactly. However, as a general rule, the date for the start of Ramadan moves ten or eleven days forward every year in the international calendar, so you should check on the Internet or call the Indonesian embassy before you go.

During Ramadan, most believers fast from dawn to dusk (exceptions are made for children and the sick, among others). If you re doing business in the afternoon with people who haven t eaten since sunrise , don t expect them to be at their best. Also, make sure that when you eat lunch , or even nibble on a mid-morning snack , you don t do so in front of people who have empty stomachs. That would be bad manners, to say the least.

It s also probably a good idea to avoid doing business on the last days of Ramadan, when the final preparations are being made for the big feast that marks its end.

LETTERS 50 “51

People may avoid eating certain foods for a number of reasons, and not only religious ones.

One man s meat Letter 50

FROM TURKEY ABOUT GERMANY

We ve had a lot of visitors from Germany at our office over the last few years , and my colleagues and I have noticed that when we ve been out to restaurants not one of them has ever chosen our national dish, lamb.

Lamb isn t a popular meat in Germany as, for reasons best known to themselves , many Germans and Swedes believe that mutton tastes like socks. This probably accounts for the avoidance of lamb you noticed in your German guests. I m glad that you had the tact not to force your guests to sample something they really didn t like, even if you find (as I do) their distaste very odd.

Every country finds some of its neighbors culinary preferences inexplicable. In France, horsemeat is widely eaten, while many people in other cultures find it distasteful. And while most Australians wouldn t dream of eating horse, they consider kangaroo fine. Dog in some parts of China and in South Korea, snake in China, and grasshoppers in South Africa are all delicacies in their own countries , but most foreigners would hesitate to try them.

But the fact remains that refusing food or drink (unless for religious or moral reasons) can be regarded as rude. An answer like, I m sorry, I don t like tea/coffee is not an acceptable answer in a business situation when you are offered a cup of either, even if you never touch the stuff at home. And the same goes for food. If urged, and especially if it s a national specialty, always accept a taste of everything, and do your best to swallow as much as possible. To do so not only shows a degree of determination that most business partners will appreciate, but it also displays an openness to your host s culture.

Sweet temptation Letter 51

FROM THE U.K. ABOUT JAPAN

When we have groups of Japanese here at our hotel we try very hard to introduce them to English specialties, and generally we have had great success, especially with our fish and beef dishes. The exception is our puddings. The British are famous for their hot desserts, usually served with cream or custard, and our chef provides a wonderful selection. However, our Japanese guests won t touch them.

Japan is hardly the dessert capital of the world. The Japanese, like the South Koreans and Thais, aren t too keen on sugary or creamy puddings (and indeed the only egg custard dish the Japanese eat contains fish and vegetables), although tastes are slowly beginning to change. Ask your chef to provide a selection of fresh fruit, both home grown and from farther afield, for dessert. He can also offer small cookies or cakes to accompany coffee or tea. I m afraid, though, you ll have to ask him to keep jam rolypoly, spotted dick, and bread-and-butter pudding for home consumption.

IN A NUTSHELL: Food

GLOBAL BUSINESS STANDARD

A vegetarian dish should be available on all occasions when you invite guests to eat.

GLOBAL WARNINGS

Many of your fellow beings find the following foods distasteful, so don t force them down your guests throats, however delicious you find them yourself: horse, dog, snake, frogs, insects , and dairy products.

Foods forbidden to followers of some religions include: Islam: Non-halal meat, pig meat, and shellfish that have claws.

 

• Judaism: Non-kosher meat and milk, pig meat, rabbit, shellfish, frogs, shark, and meat and milk in same meal.

• Hinduism: Beef and pork.

• Buddhism: Meat and fish (vegetarianism is promoted but not demanded).

• Argentina: People are proud of the quality of home-produced meat. Mate , an herb drink with a caffeine kick, is popular. (See Letter 48.)

• Australia: Barbeques of home-produced meat are very popular. (See Letter 50.)

• Austria: Pork and pork products (like sausage) are very popular. Lamb is not. They pride themselves on their coffee and cakes. (See Letter 50.)

• Belgium: They may be even better cooks than the French, and they take food very seriously. They eat French fries with mayonnaise. Sterilized milk, and not fresh, is the norm.

• Brazil: A lot of meat is eaten here. Barbeques are very popular.

• Canada: There is a Gallic influence in French-speaking areas.

• China: There are many different cuisines because China is so big. Visitors may be served unexpected delicacies, like snake, dog, or sea slugs. Food is taken very seriously and people are knowledgeable about it. (See Letters 48 and 50.)

• Denmark: Danes are great fish eaters and avid coffee drinkers.

• Finland: See Denmark. Game, including reindeer, may be on the menu.

• France: Food is taken very seriously and people are knowledgeable about it. Sterilized milk (not fresh) is the norm in supermarkets. (See Letter 50.)

• Germany: See Austria.

• Hong Kong: See China.

• India: There are many different cuisines because India is so big. Food can be very spicy. (See Letters 48 and 49.)

• Indonesia: Nasi goreng (fried rice with shrimp, meat, and spices) for breakfast takes Westerners a bit of getting used to. Durian, an exotic fruit with a distinctive taste, is popular there. (See Letters 48 and 49.)

• Italy: Food is taken very seriously, and pasta is an important staple. This is a Mediterranean country, so typical ingredients include eggplant, onions, garlic, vine leaves , peppers, and tomatoes.

• Japan: People are great fish eaters and meat is not as popular. Dairy products are not common. Overly sweet desserts are not popular. (See Letter 51.)

• Mexico: Indigenous foods may be eaten along with foods introduced from Europe. Hot and spicy food is common.

• Netherlands: The Dutch are great fish eaters and coffee drinkers. Because of their colonial past, there are many Indonesian restaurants in the cities.

• Norway: Norwegians are great fish eaters and coffee drinkers. Game, especially elk, is often on the menu.

• Poland: Live carp are bought for Christmas dinner and usually kept in a bathtub until the big day.

• Russia: Russia produces world-class caviar and champagne (usually for export). However, choice is limited at restaurants. They eat a lot of ice cream, even in the depths of winter.

• Saudi Arabia: Dates may be served at business meetings. These may be stuffed with almonds (be careful if you are allergic) or they may not be pitted (be careful of your teeth). During the month of Ramadan, Saudis fast during the day and may even abstain from drinking water, so it would be considered rude to eat or drink in their company. (See Letters 48 and 49.)

• South Africa: Barbeques of home-produced meat are very popular. (See Letter 50.)

• South Korea: Food is often very spicy. Dog and snake may be on the menu. (See Letters 50 and 51.)

• Spain: Sterilized milk (not fresh) is the norm. They are great fish eaters, and the national dish of paella incorporates fish and shell-fish. A Mediterranean country, typical ingredients include eggplant, onions, garlic, vine leaves, peppers, and tomatoes.

• Sweden: Some adults may drink milk with meals. They love salty licorice but usually dislike lamb. Game, especially elk or reindeer, is often on the menu. (See Letter 50.)

• Switzerland: Seeing the Swiss eat French fries with mayonnaise will shock ketchup fans.

• Taiwan: See China.

• Thailand: The food is very, very spicy. (See Letter 51.)

• Turkey: This is an eastern Mediterranean country, so typical ingredients include lamb, rice, eggplant, onions, garlic, vine leaves, peppers, and tomatoes. Turks are well known for their sweets, including specialties like baklava. (See Letters 48 and 49.)

• UK: Tandoori chicken masala is now the nation s most popular dish (according to a politician). The Empire strikes back with Indian, Pakistani, and Chinese restaurants on every Main Street. Tea is still the national drink. (See Letter 51.)

• US: Foreigners may find the portions served at restaurants enormous . The wide choice of cuisines in cities reflects the ethnic origins of immigrants to the country. Drinking Coca-Cola with meals is seen by the rest of world as an eccentric habit.

• Venezuela: Grilled fish and meat (beef and chicken) are popular. Goat is preferred in certain areas. Fried corn pancakes are a local specialty.