Taboo is defined as a cultural custom, usually religious, that restricts the practice of the activity, event, or association. One example would be writing read, especially someone's name, in Taiwan, something I am doing right now. What is more exciting to study, however, are food taboos. Food taboos, thus, are food that is culturally unaccepted in the particular area. There are countless types of food taboos around the world, many of which are, in most cultures, unaccepted. Here are food taboos in three countries:
USA:
USA is famous for its deep-fried food, fast-food, and basically anything that's unhealthy. Ironically, the US have several food taboos despite the fact that they accept the types of ingredient that go into making the Chicken McNuggets that everyone loves so much (basically all the unwanted parts of the chicken... including bones!) Some of these food taboos include:
-Dogs and Cats: Although accepted in places such as China and South Korea, dogs and cats are considered domestic pet animals and are important parts of the American family culture, thus, should not be eaten.
-Primates: Again, even though places such as Indonesia consume primates, including monkey brains (ewww...), most Americans will never consider eating such a creature as they are so similar to human beings it would simply represent cannibalism (almost).
-Rodents: Rodents are generally considered pests in the United States and are often killed and exposed of in large amounts. Besides the adorable Jerry the Mouse, most rodents are despised and would never be eaten as only those who are famished would consider eating pests.
USA is famous for its deep-fried food, fast-food, and basically anything that's unhealthy. Ironically, the US have several food taboos despite the fact that they accept the types of ingredient that go into making the Chicken McNuggets that everyone loves so much (basically all the unwanted parts of the chicken... including bones!) Some of these food taboos include:
-Dogs and Cats: Although accepted in places such as China and South Korea, dogs and cats are considered domestic pet animals and are important parts of the American family culture, thus, should not be eaten.
-Primates: Again, even though places such as Indonesia consume primates, including monkey brains (ewww...), most Americans will never consider eating such a creature as they are so similar to human beings it would simply represent cannibalism (almost).
-Rodents: Rodents are generally considered pests in the United States and are often killed and exposed of in large amounts. Besides the adorable Jerry the Mouse, most rodents are despised and would never be eaten as only those who are famished would consider eating pests.
France:
France is very well-known for its delicacies that are ranked among the top of the world's cuisines despite their minuscule amounts that can barely be counted as "a meal" and their large plates with a metal bowl covering the palm-sized "entree" (or can it even be considered as one?). Nevertheless, the French also have some food that many Asians find astonishing, including escargot (snails) and frog legs (which apparently taste like chicken). Thus, the majority of their food taboos are on behavior:
-Eating with your hands: This is extremely unacceptable in France. Almost everything is eaten with a fork and knife. Using your hands make you inferior to the classy French diners that have high expectations for dining especially with manners.
-Making the OK sign (US version): Making an OK sign (forming a circle with your thumb and index finger) in France is considered very rude as to them, it means worthless or zero. Thus, by raising an OK sign to French waiters will result in very bad service indeed. And everything will definitely... not be OK.
-Asking restaurants to rush: It seems to be a culture for French people to do everything very very slowly and in a relaxed way. Personally, I've had that experience with movers who took weeks to pack up our stuff, when in Taiwan it took a mere 2 days. Nevertheless, in a restaurant, where the environment is supposed to be calming, soothing, and for enjoying, asking waiters to rush is unacceptable.
France is very well-known for its delicacies that are ranked among the top of the world's cuisines despite their minuscule amounts that can barely be counted as "a meal" and their large plates with a metal bowl covering the palm-sized "entree" (or can it even be considered as one?). Nevertheless, the French also have some food that many Asians find astonishing, including escargot (snails) and frog legs (which apparently taste like chicken). Thus, the majority of their food taboos are on behavior:
-Eating with your hands: This is extremely unacceptable in France. Almost everything is eaten with a fork and knife. Using your hands make you inferior to the classy French diners that have high expectations for dining especially with manners.
-Making the OK sign (US version): Making an OK sign (forming a circle with your thumb and index finger) in France is considered very rude as to them, it means worthless or zero. Thus, by raising an OK sign to French waiters will result in very bad service indeed. And everything will definitely... not be OK.
-Asking restaurants to rush: It seems to be a culture for French people to do everything very very slowly and in a relaxed way. Personally, I've had that experience with movers who took weeks to pack up our stuff, when in Taiwan it took a mere 2 days. Nevertheless, in a restaurant, where the environment is supposed to be calming, soothing, and for enjoying, asking waiters to rush is unacceptable.