This culture thing is more far reaching than we may believe. In Jamaica, if you leave your plate totally empty,it's considered not classy. On the other hand, you are not expected to waste the food either by just picking at it.
Well at least a reasonable amount, otherwise your host will feel insulted.On the other hand you shouldn't toally wipe your platter clean for fear of being labeled greedy and needy.
That is funny.These customs can also be confusing. When I was a child, we were also encouraged to eat all that was placed on our plates. However, my grandmother often told us that when she was a child, if she, or any of her siblings burped before finishing a meal, the rest of the meal was taken away. The idea was: you got rid of the gas, so you don't need anymore food.
Well, I felt sorry for an American who had to eat more because he kept cleaning his plate. I visited a family during my childhood who live in a mountain area in Pakistan. In that culture, if you do not place your plate upside down, they will keep filling it with more food and you have to eat or it is rude. We learned it hard way because that day we ended up eating about two or three days worth of food. Therefore, I always do a little research before going to dinner to other than my culture.
Funny! I didn't know Americans had to clean their plates out completely. I was brought up where I had to eat all of my food. Not neccessarily all at once but had to save the rest for later. I had to eat the rest before having anything else. This is for home but I had to eat most of my food when visiting elsewhere.
Funny! He was doing what he had been "taught" as a child in America. I remember my mother saying..."A happy plate is a clean plate." We were told to eat all our food at each meal so we could be a members of the "Clean Plate Club."
I have been eating sushi at authentic Japanese restaurants since I was 8 years old. I always assumed that the Asian community expected me to clean my plate so as not to be rude. I never realized that they took that as a sign that I wanted more!!! Very interesting :-)
I don't think I would have ever made it through one bowl of eel. Very thought provoking commercials. I laughed at the bare feet because I always sit on my patio like that. I wouldn't have made it in Thailand!
Wow! It's important to do your research before becoming too acquainted with other cultures in order to avoid momments like these. The bank is surely doing its homework and shows appreciation for cultural differences by airing these commercials.
I agree it is important to do research. I wonder if there is a special course for those major international business. That is true banks are global minded
He gave a great impression of being overfull. Even though his tipping the bowl up was clearly exaggeration, I still was in pain at the look on his face toward the end.
I wasn't sure if I should admire him for continuing to try to please them, or think him a fool for not looking around the table to find someone to imitate to find out the way to put an end to the meal. In my experience in educated international contexts, the people are more flexible with and have more good humor about Americans.
Very interesting. I have travelled to many countries before and never had any miscommunications about food. But then again, I had a small appetite so I don't think I ever finished a full meal.
There's no place like home . . . after watching these two clips I'm sure that if I travel abroad I will do my research regarding the culture I am visiting. That poor man, eating all that eel sounds disgusting, especially after seeing it alive. I am impressed with HBSC bank being so globally minded.
However, I must say I do not travel without first doing my homework. In order not to insult others, I learn the customs which also allows me to avoid certain "sticky" situations.
This culture thing is more far reaching than we may believe. In Jamaica, if you leave your plate totally empty,it's considered not classy. On the other hand, you are not expected to waste the food either by just picking at it.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know about Jamaican culture. So, do you really have to eat everything in your plate, even if you do not like something?
DeleteWell at least a reasonable amount, otherwise your host will feel insulted.On the other hand you shouldn't toally wipe your platter clean for fear of being labeled greedy and needy.
DeleteSo much to learn.
DeleteThat is funny.These customs can also be confusing. When I was a child, we were also encouraged to eat all that was placed on our plates. However, my grandmother often told us that when she was a child, if she, or any of her siblings burped before finishing a meal, the rest of the meal was taken away. The idea was: you got rid of the gas, so you don't need anymore food.
DeleteWell, I felt sorry for an American who had to eat more because he kept cleaning his plate. I visited a family during my childhood who live in a mountain area in Pakistan. In that culture, if you do not place your plate upside down, they will keep filling it with more food and you have to eat or it is rude. We learned it hard way because that day we ended up eating about two or three days worth of food. Therefore, I always do a little research before going to dinner to other than my culture.
ReplyDeleteFunny! I didn't know Americans had to clean their plates out completely. I was brought up where I had to eat all of my food. Not neccessarily all at once but had to save the rest for later. I had to eat the rest before having anything else. This is for home but I had to eat most of my food when visiting elsewhere.
DeleteFunny! He was doing what he had been "taught" as a child in America. I remember my mother saying..."A happy plate is a clean plate." We were told to eat all our food at each meal so we could be a members of the "Clean Plate Club."
DeleteI have been eating sushi at authentic Japanese restaurants since I was 8 years old. I always assumed that the Asian community expected me to clean my plate so as not to be rude. I never realized that they took that as a sign that I wanted more!!! Very interesting :-)
ReplyDeleteWow...that was alot of eel...lol
ReplyDeleteI know. That was alot of eel expecially for one man to eat.
DeleteI consider myself to be an adventurous eater, but if eel's on the menu I might have to be rude.
ReplyDeleteEel is not bad. I love the sauce they pour over the eel.
DeleteI don't think I could eat eel after they brought it too me alive first.
DeleteI love eel but I could not have eaten that much eel.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow! I know I wouldn't have made it through the first bowl. I've always been taught not to waste food or eat what you take.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have ever made it through one bowl of eel. Very thought provoking commercials. I laughed at the bare feet because I always sit on my patio like that. I wouldn't have made it in Thailand!
ReplyDeleteWow! It's important to do your research before becoming too acquainted with other cultures in order to avoid momments like these. The bank is surely doing its homework and shows appreciation for cultural differences by airing these commercials.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is important to do research. I wonder if there is a special course for those major international business. That is true banks are global minded
DeleteHe gave a great impression of being overfull. Even though his tipping the bowl up was clearly exaggeration, I still was in pain at the look on his face toward the end.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure if I should admire him for continuing to try to please them, or think him a fool for not looking around the table to find someone to imitate to find out the way to put an end to the meal. In my experience in educated international contexts, the people are more flexible with and have more good humor about Americans.
Watching the video, reminded me of some countries where the the women get insulted if you do not finish your food.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I have travelled to many countries before and never had any miscommunications about food. But then again, I had a small appetite so I don't think I ever finished a full meal.
ReplyDeleteThat's a LOT of eel to eat!
ReplyDeleteI felt sorry for him. His face had a great expression. He was trying to please. I love different kinds of food,but I would stop at eel.
ReplyDeleteThere's no place like home . . . after watching these two clips I'm sure that if I travel abroad I will do my research regarding the culture I am visiting. That poor man, eating all that eel sounds disgusting, especially after seeing it alive.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with HBSC bank being so globally minded.
There's absolutely no way I would have eaten the eel. It just ain't happening!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I must say I do not travel without first doing my homework. In order not to insult others, I learn the customs which also allows me to avoid certain "sticky" situations.
ReplyDelete