11/5-11-11: Eating Away at America's Reputation

Are we really what we eat? Besides health, that is. A recent Reuters headline claimed that "a Mediterranean diet reduces heart risk." A Mediterranean diet being bread, wine, fish, olive oil -- I think of warm beaches and swarthy waiters and beautiful people and trendy bistros. Regardless of the health benefits of this diet, it is a pretty picture.

So what is an "American diet"? Do we think McDonald's? Do we picture golden arches and greasy fries, do we smile fondly as we recall the words, "Go large"? If we don't think this, why does the rest of the world? Or do they? Are we destined to remain culturally crude because of what we eat?

Here's what Tripod members had to say:

formicacid: Culturally crude because of what we eat?!?!? No, no, no, Americans are culturally crude because of how they act, because of how they think. Go to any foreign country and watch the tourists -- the americans will always stand out the most, and not because of what they eat, but because many Americans have an inherent general unacceptance of foreign ideas and cultures: this is what makes us crude.

xiola: Ha! Guess what the rest of the world eats? Big Macs, french fries. They can't get enough of this, even the French. I'd rather say that McDonald's is global cuisine. As for Americans, just about any first world country has its share of arrogant tourists. Just look at the British and Japanese tourists; they're just as intolerant as your typical American.

amigos1: Formicacid's damm right. Although Xiola has a point; McDonalds is global, specially down here in Mexico. We think "Americans" are crude from the way they call themselves -- Mexico's in America too, how come we are not American. We would also be a correct assumption, well enough nationalistic tendencies. More than a dietary problem, its a cultural problem, a lack of identity and common roots. That's our point of view.

Kimmy: I agree with formicacid. American tourists seem to just have a way of getting everyone's attention. Unfortunately for those that are a bit more enlightened, the world expects crude and ignorant behavior from Americans and treats them accordingly.

MikeyD: In our fast paced society, we have little to time to prepare meals for ourseleves, and hence McD's pickes up the slack. I believe that this is a problem greater than most of us realize. What we take into our bodies affects how we feel. How we feel affects how we act. In a sense I suppose that by taking unheathly things into ours bodies, we do become more "crude."

Largo: What you eat has a big influence on how you eat it. When we get Chinese take-out, we spread it out all over the floor and have a little carpet picnic. Or when we get Burger King, it's fine to not even use a plate. But if you take the time to cook a good meal and sit around a table, I guarantee that the conversation will be different, your digestive system will be much happier and you won't burp or fart nearly as much. Which makes, of course, for a much more cultured person.

intrepid: While it is true that we are culturally crude, I don't necessarily think that it is due to what we eat. I do think, however, that what we eat is the result of our being culturally crude. This is to say that since we have such a lack of concern for things in general, (environment, the future, other people, animals, etc.) it follows that we have a lack of concern for ourselves as well. It is clear that anyone who really cares about themselves would not consistently eat fattening, un-healthy food, and if someone doesn't care about themselves then why would they care about anyone or anything else?

Costello: Yes, we are destined to remain culturally crude because of what we eat. Americans are plain disgusting when it comes to our eating habits!!!! Look around you and see how many of us are actually "in-shape." I also agree with formicacid, but I feel we our diets are only one aspect of our crudeness.

TiaraS: I think that the diet depends on someone's religion, like Islams can't eat pork and Hindus can't eat beef. It depends on religion and whether or not he/she is a vegetarian.

Anabellap: Well my friends like amigos1 said, we are All Americans, I'm in Argentina (the country in the far south) and of course we eat a lot at McDonalds but we also eat a lot of vegetables and a balanced diet, I think that's the diference with people in USA -- I go to McDonalds as a special program for the weekend and you eat there everyday!! if you think I'm wrong check your choresteroll!

Johnscafe: Crude? It that word actually in an American dictionary? I beg to differ that Americans are crude. Let's see... Cuisine, we have the best restaurants in the world (even if they prepare foreign food) and there are at least three cooking channels that I am aware of. Manners, most Americans were raised to say please and thank you and respect others, our country and our flag. No we are not prejudiced either, except for a few pitiful people who always have to blame someone else. Culture, we have museums that rival any in the world, not to mention the performing arts. So maybe we don't all eat with our elbows at our sides or use the right fork all the time, but in MY America, you can bet we will share that meal with anyone who is hungry. America is a country made of Heart and Spirit, and I pray the behaviors of a few ignorants will not be a reflection on the rest of us who work hard to enjoy freedom and values.

brmonse: A society's crudeness is NOT based on how many grams of fat per serving are in their daily lunch. There are six pillars to a successful civilization, check to see if "Food" is one of them: #1: Government; #2: Education; #3: Family; #4: Religion; #5: Economy; #6: Technology. Hmm; where's #7, "Fat content at McDonald's"? There's a point. Most of the countries in the world eat McDonald's, there's no reason why we shouldn't.

Lenvie: Take a look at America from an outsiders point of view. Sure it may be a great country and sure you may all love it but is it seen like that everywhere??? NO!!!!! I've got to agree with lots of people on this list....Americans do stand out from the rest....and most of the time in a bad way. Not all of them of course....but it's those who do that spoil it for the rest. Does this have anything to do with the food they eat? I doubt it. Although you do get an image of sloppy eating when you think about America....

chaiken: Well to begin with, I'll admit that I love McDonald's. It's part of our culture now. The problem arises when fast food isn't fast enough. This translates into other areas as well. Such as, when a pentium 100 isn't fast enough. Or a 28.8 modem isn't fast enough.

NewYorker: It is true that McDonald's is known in many countries and burgers and french fries must come to people of other countries when they think about us. But I think Americans are one of the most heatlh conscious people. Duke University has the best menu as far as the health question is concerned. And I don't think there is any univesity that would be able to compete in food with Duke. By the way I am not from Duke University.

VSchjenken: Please don't judge a whole society by focusing on the lowliest of its members. There are people who live in the United States who are cultured, virtuous, and anything but crude. Enjoying a hamburger and fries regularly may leave something to be desired, but it shouldn't condemn a whole culture to be labeled as crude. Simply because we don't have thousands of years of traditions to stand on doesn't mean we have nothing at all to offer this world.

blueboomerang: As an Australian who witnesses the American cultural invasion that is taking hold of my country slowly, I think that we are what we eat. The shift to fast food signifies a lazy attitude that befalls a community too busy to care about what's hitting it. The 'McDonaldisation' of Australia, and indeed the world, is a testament to the idea that the American way of doing things, ie eating fast food, is acceptable. Witness the popularity of baseball and baseball caps, the NBA and even language eg, guy. The problem with this though, is that just because something is popular, it doesn't necessarily make it right. Thus, McDonald's popularity, to an objective eye is wrong, because the food is far from healthy and the environmental damage that packaging causes is horrendous.

Spiffy_the_Death_Cat: It's funny how all stereotypes are considered discriminatory unless they are against Americans. Most tend to ignore that there are over 250 million Americans and that we are ALL DIFFERENT. So then, what is an American diet? Try cultural food from all around the world. Try Steak and potatoes. Try just about any food in the world. True, we sometimes eat at McDonalds, but we also eat elsewhere. Do people in other countries eat at McDonalds? Figure it out for yourself by looking at all of the franchises all over the world.