Gina explores Britain... food?

Gina explores Britain... food?

Click the link above to check out a video I made last night wherein I taste a few treats from jolly ol' England.

Ignorant About Thailand

I have never been to Thailand, nor do I possess a very strong desire to change that fact. For the most part, Asian countries do not bear much fascination over me. I tend to gravitate toward European countries as places I would like to visit and learn about. For whatever reason, Asian culture just isn't as fascinating to me as European. But, in living with a family who's father is from Thailand and so all the children of the family are half-Thai, half-American, I learned to at least appreciate the culture of Thailand and its people.

In researching stereotypes about Thailand, I didn't come across much at all. I did learn that it is the main destination for tourists out of the Asian countries. I learned that many Americans perceive Thai women as prostitutes. I'm not going to name names, but one of the relatives of the family I used to live with who still resides in Thailand used to be a prostitute when she was a younger woman. But in modern times, Thai women are becoming more assertive, and less likely to turn to prostitution as a way of survival. Prostitution still exists, but it also exists all over the world. Not every woman in Thailand desires to become a prostitute and not even a majority will ever have to become one. So that stereotype is untrue.

The interesting question that came to my mind when digging up the research on American stereotypes about Thailand, is where does the information come from? Why do Americans think of prostitution when they think of Thailand women? Where does that perception come from? Why are those stories being told instead of what Thailand women are really like?

So I decided to approach the stereotypes for Thailand from a different perspective. I'm going to try and unearth the source of such points of view. Where they come from and why they are still regarded as truth when common sense should show that these stereotypes are anything but truth.

Researching the term stereotype, I come to plenty of websites offering analytical research on where stereotypes are founded and why people tend to believe in them. The fact is, stereotypes are born out of ignorance. Typically, an in-group will turn to stereotypes in order to define an out-group when they don't know much about that out-group. I doubt the majority of American people out on the streets could even point to Thailand on a map let alone discuss the culture and attitude of its people. Therefore, it only makes sense for the Thai-ignorant to turn to stereotypes to help define what they think they know about Thai people.

Education is key, as I've illustrated in earlier blogs. Knowledge truly is power. Spouting stereotypes when referring to a culture or a country and its people is a blatant show of ignorance. Its basically illustrating that the individual knows little to nothing about the culture they are describing with the stereotypes. So why pay any attention or give any credibility to such an individual? If they had done the research, learned a little bit beyond what the stereotypes may suggest, they wouldn't have to lean so heavily on stereotypes to try and seem knowledgeable.

But all that aside, I just want to add... Thailand has amazingly delicious food. I could live off Thailand food... :)

Beer and Sauerkraut, a Winning Combination

My junior year of high school, I was fortunate to have an exchange student from Germany in my study hall. His name was Janik (pronounced, YAWN-ee) and he was incredibly intriguing to me in my quest to learn all there is to learn about the European way of life. Even then I was dying to know if Europeans were all the American media made them out to be. So digging through his thick accent, I got answers to a lot of my questions about the way his culture works.

My main concern at the time, for whatever reason, was whether or not Germans ate sauerkraut and beer 24/7 as I thought they did. He insisted they didn't, that sauerkraut was mainly considered a "poor man's meal" or something of tradition. I told him I loved those sausages you could get with sauerkraut at the Kentucky State Fair. He just stared at me and told me again that they didn't eat that all the time. I demanded to know (jokingly, of course) what on Earth they really did eat! So he said he'd show me. We went to a local restaurant that has the most authentic German food around. The family who owns the restaurant is from Germany, and they are determined to keep the look of their restaurant, the atmosphere of their restaurant, and most importantly, the food of their restaurant, as authentic as possible to their homeland.

So Janik, myself, and a few of our friends ventured into the realm of German-style cooking. I let Janik order my food, telling him to knock my socks off. He threatened to order sauerkraut, but didn't. We had a great time eating some of the most delicious food I have ever had! No sauerkraut and no beer in sight. I felt bad for Janik because he wanted a beer, which he was used to, but he wasn't old enough according to the law of the United States to have one with his meal. So I guess that part is true, this particular German truly liked beer.

Beyond dietary differences, I learned a lot about the German sense of humor. First of all, that it does exist. Janik was one of the most hilarious people I have ever met of any nationality, and he was great fun to be around. The stereotype for Germans is that they are quite stoic and reserved. And when dealing with authority, Janik seemed to be that way. But behind the teacher's backs and among friends and peers, he was really humorous and relaxed.

When Janik saw my last name for the first time, he thought I was actually German, too. But I'm not, because my last name is not my biological one. I was adopted at the age of seven. But I think my last name helped Janik to warm up to me so soon, and for our friendship to be so easygoing. It was a little piece of home when he was far from home. And that had to be a comfort. I was also devastatingly curious about his country and his culture, and I think he enjoyed answering all of my questions, even the silly ones, because its flattering to find someone who wants to know about your country instead of instantly assuming they know everything about you because of where you are from.

So what have I learned from being friends with Janik? That its a lot more educational, beneficial, and worthwhile to explore, learn, and ask about someone and their culture before just assuming you know who they are and what they are about because of their country of origin. So ask questions. Once you get on friendly terms, you'll learn a whole lot, and it could change your life. Don't ever assume. Set out with an open mind and realize that you don't know until you ask!

French Poodles Say, "Wooah, Wooah!"

The French. Unfortunately they are not favored too highly by some Americans; especially since the country decided not to support America's war with Iraq. (I might have to agree with the French on that one, but that's an entirely different blog topic to be made on an entirely different blog...) There are many disheartening stereotypes out there about the French. Let's explore a few.

French people are rude. Now, looking at this from a certain perspective (the American one) the French people may come off as rude to a tourist in their country. First of all, Americans speak English. There's nothing wrong with that, but some Americans seem to believe that because they speak English, the rest of the world should have a basic knowledge of English for their benefit. So in visiting France, many American tourists don't bother to learn simple French terms. Therefore, approaching a French person, in France, and speaking in English to them, expecting them to be fluent in English is a little rude on the tourist's part, don't you think? Imagine someone who speaks a foreign tongue stopping you in the street in your home country and asking for directions, expecting you to be able to understand their request and respond in their native tongue. It would be strange and unsettling, wouldn't it? So of course the French are going to come off as rude! I think they are pushed to "being rude" by the attitudes they are having to deal with, not because they are generally a rude people.

French people smell bad. In actuality, French people are just as conscious of personal hygiene as any other country in the world. Not every country necessarily values the scent of soap or the act of washing their hair once, sometimes twice, daily. It's all a matter of perspective. America is a country of excess and some of its personal hygiene rituals are just that: excessive.

French people smoke. Smoking used to be quite prevalent in France. Yes, you read that right, it used to be. A smoking ban was placed on bars and cafes in 2007, and cigarette sales dropped dramatically after the ban was instigated. "BAT France said 54.4 billion cigarettes were sold last year in France, down 2.3 percent from 2007. In 1998, almost 85 billion cigarettes were sold in France." ( Source.)So right there is bonafide statistical proof that France no longer smokes like it used to! Again, its all about perspective and knowledge.

The lesson today is not about French hygiene or smoking habits or attitudes. Its really about perspective. Try putting yourself in someone else's shoes before you judge them... You think someone is rude? You have no idea what they've gone through in their day, or what's in their mind. You may have approached them with something that may seem important to you but is humdrum to them and you're demanding an answer... You may find someone's personal habits as disgusting or unhygienic. But you have to approach their matter with a consciousness of what is acceptable in their culture.

America is not the standard rule for the whole world and it shouldn't be. Try to consider perspective when looking at the world beyond America's shores. Realize that you are looking at things as an American would, and the whole world can not be understood that way.

Across the Pond

Having made the trip myself across the pond, as it were, I can say that the British surprised me. I'm going to go through a few stereotypical thoughts I may have had or heard about from others when I was initially planning my trip to England last summer and then I'll share a few anecdotes pertaining to these stereotypes, either disproving or proving them as I see fit.

The British stereotypes I have always heard fall along these lines:
British people have bad teeth.
British people are overly prudish and proper.
British people love tea.
British food is bland and most of it is boiled.
British people are sarcastic.

First off, British people do sometimes have bad teeth. But so do Americans. So do the French. So do the Russians, and on and on and on. But why are the British saddled with this demeaning stereotype? A lot of it has to do with their health care system. Dental care is not covered by the NHS. Therefore, to get dental checkups and procedures, they must pay for it out of pocket. Most tend not to do this because it is quite costly and dentists are few and far between. I understand this is changing in recent years, but it would account for the elder generation of British people having lackluster smiles. But on the whole, the British smiles I encountered weren't cause for alarm or disgust, so I dismiss this stereotype. I also point to some Americans I know who have some of the worst teeth I have ever seen. And we're all supposed to flash pearly straight whites at all times!

British people may sound prudish and proper due to how Americans seem to view their accents, but trust me, I met quite a few British people who were anything but prude and proper. A few gentlemen in a dance club I was in in Liverpool, England, gave me a run for my money when I nearly got into a shouting match with them over one putting his hands on me. He told me that since I was American, and showing a little flesh, he had assumed I was up for it. He was just being a jerk, but it goes to show that that stereotype is certainly not true. I was also nearly peed on by a gentleman in my hostel room in London, England, and that was as far from prudish and proper as I can imagine. He was completely drunk and had no idea that a German girl in the bed next to me was not a urinal for his private use... or maybe he didn't like Germans, I'm not sure. I was too busy shoving his naked body into the public hallway to care about motive. I just know he was neither prudish nor proper!

British people love tea and crumpets. I never once saw tea nor crumpets (I still don't know what a crumpet is... so maybe I did see one while in England and just didn't recognize it?) the whole time I was in England. Maybe I was in the wrong places... I did eat genuine fish and chips, though, and they were absolutely delicious. I didn't quite understand the smashed peas, which are literally peas that are smashed with a fork, that were served with my fish and chips, but the fish and chips (or French fries in the States) were delicious. More on that later...

As for British food being bland and boiled, I did not eat a single boiled food dish while I was in England... and the food there was very delicious. My favorite thing had to be the fish and chips that every restaurant in London and Liverpool claim to have the "best" version of over every other establishment in England. I don't know how they could all be the best, but they were definitely all delicious!

I will take a moment to talk about beans, though. Beans are everywhere. Even as an option in Subway. Why beans have a place on a Subway sandwich, I certainly don't know, but they were there. I passed on that one. They were also present on a breakfast buffet at the hostel I stayed in in Liverpool. I remember going down the aisle, picking out scrambled eggs and toast to eat and the server at the end of the aisle stirring a giant pot of baked beans. I remember thinking, "Baked beans for breakfast? Why?" As I'm pondering their presence on a breakfast buffet, the gentleman (who was quite handsome, British, and had great teeth) asked me if I would like some. I shrugged and thought, "When in England, do as the English do," and held out my plate. He proceeds to dump a giant spoonful of beans on my toast. My mouth fell open and I'm just staring at my plate. I had been imagining that toast slathered with butter and grape jelly, NOT baked beans. I could see him fidgeting as he watched me have a silent but visual heart attack, thinking this guy was being a complete jerk just slopping the beans on my toast. I couldn't believe he had been so rude! He finally asks me, "You're not from around here are you?" I shake my head, "No, I'm on vacation." He recognizes my accent and grabs another plate, putting eggs and fresh toast on it. "I'm sorry, I'm just used to people eating beans on their toast!"

Yeah, beans on toast. Not bland, not boiled, but... different.

The British people I met and the British people who are my friends all have this wonderfully sarcastic sense of humor that I love. I'm also quite sarcastic, and I adore the British sense of humor. It is quite different from American's senses of humor, but not everyone in Britain shares an identical sarcastic nature... But I can say that the British people I know can be caustically sarcastic. Like this one gentleman, let's call him James because that was his name, whom I also met in a dance club in Liverpool, told me to "eat a spoonful of concrete to harden up" because I wanted to leave at 2:30 AM to get back to the hostel and go to sleep. I told him they didn't serve cement at the bar and he informed me that there was a construction site down the road a ways. I was laughing with glee at how hilarious this fellow was...

So what's the point in all of this? British people are just plain awesome.

No, that's not the point, although I would agree with that statement...

Before you have personally experienced living in the presence of another culture, you shouldn't judge it. Each individual person regardless of their country of origin is unique. Just because someone is "British" or "American" or "French", doesn't mean they share all the traits wrongfully associated with their nationality.

The Great White North

Canada. Our neighbors to the North. Its colder, its bigger, and its different. Have you ever seen a Bob and Doug Mackenzie movie? For the longest time, that's what I thought most Canadians were like: laid-back, chill, hanging out while wearing toques, saying "eh?" at the end of every sentence, eating maple syrup and back bacon, and watching hockey.

I became good friends with a native Canadian, and she did none of those things. Except I can charge her with the occasional, "eh?" and every so often, a toque-wearing incident. We traveled overseas together, to London and Liverpool, England. I found that I was not the only one with pre-conceived notions about Canadians...

We went to an underground comedy club in London. The comedian performing picked on every single member of the audience, largely based on their country of origin. When my Canadian comrade was chosen as the subject of his humorous slaying with words, she informed him she was Canadian. His response: "Oh, so you're American, but you want people to like you."

I was floored! At the time, I laughed, because it seemed funny. Everyone had told me to tell people I was Canadian instead of American while in England because they would be nicer to me. However, I found that people were nice to me regardless, no one came out as rude while I was there...

But in believing in the stereotypes, I had built myself up for this incredible let-down. Although the stereotypes I've mentioned about Canada based on my exposure to Bob and Doug Mackenzie movies as a kid may not necessarily be seen as negative, they are still judgments that should not have been made...

Here are some of the stereotypes about Canadians and their culture (Source):
Canadians have an easygoing society where everyone follows the law.
Canadians are moderates.
Canadians are polite and courteous.
Canadians have a subtle form of patriotism.
Canadians are beloved in foreign countries (especially Europe).
Canadians resent America and feel superior to the US especially in matters of government.
Canadians have more ethnic influences and are more tolerant of these influences and this encourages diversity in its people.
Canadians live in a caring nation where the needy and less fortunate are well-taken care of and not left to fend for themselves.

There are so many more, but I will stop there.

Are these true? Is Canada this oasis of caring, compassionate people who are beloved in foreign countries and have all the answers? No, they are not. The Canadians I have met could match any of those stereotypes, but not as a whole can a country fit a stereotype. But some would argue that it doesn't matter, because all of those stereotypes are favorable to the Canadian people, so they are fine and good to have.

Wrong.

Seemingly "good" or "favorable" stereotypes can be just as harmful as incriminating ones. Let's take a look at a Canadian's rebuttal of these stereotypes (Source).

Here's the proposed "bad" side of these "good" stereotypes, compare with the seemingly "good" stereotypes that were listed above:
Canadians trust too much and don't criticize their law-makers enough.
Canadians are afraid to express controversial opinions.
Canadians are passive.
Canadians have no reason to be patriotic.
Canadians are not well-known to foreign countries, they have no opinions about Canadians because they don't know anything about them.
Canadians ignore criticisms about their own country and government because they are so anti-American.
Canadians lack a sense of social unity.
Canadians live in a socialist society where self-reliance is discouraged.

Do you see now how "good" stereotypes are ultimately "bad" ones? Canada seems like the cooler older cousin, smoking weed and chilling out up there above the United States. But are they, really? Do Canadian citizens appreciate these points of view about them, made without true education about them and their culture? I'd hazard to guess they don't.

I surely didn't appreciate the native Englanders who assumed that because my travel companion said she was Canadian, which she was, that she was merely hiding the fact that she was American because being an American is such a "terrible" thing...

So I have learned a lot this week. What have I learned? That not all Canadians are Bob and Doug Mackenzie.

No, I'm just kidding, I've learned a lot more than that. I've learned that even a country I may have viewed as having nothing but "good" stereotypes about them, may not appreciate those stereotypes because they hold a darker side to them.

Do you have any views about Canada? Have you ever been there? Would you like to go there? Do you know anyone native to Canada? Feel free to post any comments, questions, or concerns you might have about the stereotypes associated with the country of Canada in the comments section below!

Next week, we're swimming 'across the pond' to learn about the country of England.

Open Letter to All Americans

Have you ever felt that life was easy in America? Do you believe "land of the free" means that anyone can do whatever they like, anytime, anyplace, with no consequence? Would you argue that Americans are tolerant? How about that we are racist? Both? Neither? If someone told you that Americans were rude and loud, how would you respond? Americans are rich and drive fast cars, true or false? What about American students, are we less prepared than students from other countries in terms of academics? Have you ever perceived American society as classless? (Source) Does everyone you know here in America have a "hickabilly" accent and love country music?

Did any of that offend you? Maybe it made you laugh because it all seems so "wrong" and "ridiculous"... or maybe you can find yourself agreeing with a few of those statements, albeit ashamedly...

Either way, you have just learned of a few stereotypes the world holds against American people. Are they true? Did they hurt your feelings?

Have you ever laughed in a movie when a character visits France and a French citizen is portrayed as smoking a long cigarette, wearing a beret, and speaking in an over-the-top accent speaking rudely to the tourist? Do you find jokes about Asians being bad drivers humorous? What about stoic Germans who have Hitler-esque mustaches? All of these are stereotypes that Americans hold against other cultures, and I'm setting out to prove these stereotypes as false and, most of the time, harmful to relations with other cultures.

I'm here to explore, to hopefully teach, and mostly to learn myself about other people and the way they live. Each week, I will chose a well-known stereotype about another culture foreign from our own (although there are plenty we hold against each other on our own shores I could take years and years hunting down and exploring) and explain perhaps how it started, why its still popular, and do interviews, research, and develop hypotheses about whether the stereotype is relevant or meaningful. Stereotypes come from somewhere. They are mostly hurtful, but they will be the springboard for my blog so I can lead you around the world from your computer screen. Help you meet new people, learn new things, view the world and the people in it hopefully a little less stereotypically and far more realistically.

Care to join me?

Next week, we're exploring stereotypes Americans hold against our neighbors in the Great White North: Canada.


Let me know in the comments any specific cultures you'd especially like me to explore in the future or any thoughts, questions, concerns, or ideas you have for this blog. I look forward to traveling with you!