Comments on: Cultural Respect: Food Ethics And The Conscious Traveler http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:14:28 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marc Latham http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92706 Marc Latham Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:12:41 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92706 Nice article Christine. I think the best way for a veggie/vegan to look at travelling through a meataholic culture or if they are getting ill is: be true to yourself, keep it all in perspective, don't kill yourself, take people's feelings into consideration, limited intake is better than making up for lost time... Nice article Christine. I think the best way for a veggie/vegan to look at travelling through a meataholic culture or if they are getting ill is: be true to yourself, keep it all in perspective, don’t kill yourself, take people’s feelings into consideration, limited intake is better than making up for lost time…

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]]> By: Kelly http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92665 Kelly Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:57:19 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92665 Food is a very defining part of culture and can be a defining part of who someone is. So many of a culture's traditions are built around food and some dishes can be clearly linked to a particular point in a country's history(i.e. the "depression" cake recipe that calls for no eggs or butter, because of the shortage of those ingredients during that time in America). Being a vegan is a defining part of who I am as well, and when I travel, I do continue to eat that way. I plan ahead for myself and don't expect to be accommodated. I am respectful of other peoples' cultures and see traveling as a way to share in their culture. I also see traveling as a way to share a little bit of my culture along the way - not force it on someone, of course. If I am staying with someone, I am always happy to cook for myself and anyone else. I have yet to be put in a situation where I was unable to follow my diet, but when I get to that bridge I will cross it. Food is a very defining part of culture and can be a defining part of who someone is. So many of a culture’s traditions are built around food and some dishes can be clearly linked to a particular point in a country’s history(i.e. the “depression” cake recipe that calls for no eggs or butter, because of the shortage of those ingredients during that time in America). Being a vegan is a defining part of who I am as well, and when I travel, I do continue to eat that way. I plan ahead for myself and don’t expect to be accommodated. I am respectful of other peoples’ cultures and see traveling as a way to share in their culture. I also see traveling as a way to share a little bit of my culture along the way – not force it on someone, of course. If I am staying with someone, I am always happy to cook for myself and anyone else. I have yet to be put in a situation where I was unable to follow my diet, but when I get to that bridge I will cross it.

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]]> By: Maureen Maloney http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92560 Maureen Maloney Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:45:25 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92560 I’m not a biologist, but I do study biology. I’m not a writer, but I do write. I’m not a vegetarian, but I do avoid eating meat. Your form of diet should not be a definition of who you are. I think being completely rigid about food choices because of ethics is a lot of bologna (hehe, I kid. But seriously). It can be difficult to understand why food is so important in other cultures, but isn’t that why we travel? To gain perspective and appreciation for other ways of life? Traveling and living in developing countries has changed my morals immensely, but you have to be open to the possibility that you will learn something that will cause your mind to expand. Sometimes I even have to modify my usual behavior so that I don’t offend people of other cultures. It’s not giving up my identity, it’s being respectful. Obviously we shouldn’t kill ourselves, and we have to know our limits, but perhaps we could be more flexible. After all, when in Rome… I’m not a biologist, but I do study biology. I’m not a writer, but I do write. I’m not a vegetarian, but I do avoid eating meat. Your form of diet should not be a definition of who you are. I think being completely rigid about food choices because of ethics is a lot of bologna (hehe, I kid. But seriously). It can be difficult to understand why food is so important in other cultures, but isn’t that why we travel? To gain perspective and appreciation for other ways of life?
Traveling and living in developing countries has changed my morals immensely, but you have to be open to the possibility that you will learn something that will cause your mind to expand. Sometimes I even have to modify my usual behavior so that I don’t offend people of other cultures. It’s not giving up my identity, it’s being respectful. Obviously we shouldn’t kill ourselves, and we have to know our limits, but perhaps we could be more flexible. After all, when in Rome…

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]]> By: Jonathan Lockwood http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92444 Jonathan Lockwood Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:30:55 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92444 For me it depends on what we mean by "host." If I were staying in someone's home as a guest, I would find it quite difficult to be demanding. At a hotel or restaurant though? While I would endeavor to be reasonable, I'd have no problem discussing my dietary requirements with the kitchen staff. I had someone from Suriname stay in my home as a guest some years ago, and while I'd planned an elaborate menu, he tactfully explained to me that he had a very sensitive stomach. So he picked a bit at some of the things I'd made, but primarily wanted bread. One day he tried something a bit spicy--and the next day I could see him suffering from it. I wouldn't blame a person in such a situation for explaining their dietary limitations in a respectful way. A few years ago, when dating a South Florida Cuban woman, I found myself being fed endless plates of meat, rice, beans and white bread. I love sweet banana, but my colon screamed for vegetation! Had the relationship lasted longer, I'd have definitely come to a dietary agreement with her. Later this year I'll be accompanying my wife to her native country, Kenya, and I expect we'll run into some conflicts here or there. While with her family, during this limited time, I will be gracious and grateful about whatever is served. But we intend to slip away to a hotel here and there when we can! For me it depends on what we mean by “host.” If I were staying in someone’s home as a guest, I would find it quite difficult to be demanding. At a hotel or restaurant though? While I would endeavor to be reasonable, I’d have no problem discussing my dietary requirements with the kitchen staff.

I had someone from Suriname stay in my home as a guest some years ago, and while I’d planned an elaborate menu, he tactfully explained to me that he had a very sensitive stomach. So he picked a bit at some of the things I’d made, but primarily wanted bread. One day he tried something a bit spicy–and the next day I could see him suffering from it. I wouldn’t blame a person in such a situation for explaining their dietary limitations in a respectful way.

A few years ago, when dating a South Florida Cuban woman, I found myself being fed endless plates of meat, rice, beans and white bread. I love sweet banana, but my colon screamed for vegetation! Had the relationship lasted longer, I’d have definitely come to a dietary agreement with her.

Later this year I’ll be accompanying my wife to her native country, Kenya, and I expect we’ll run into some conflicts here or there. While with her family, during this limited time, I will be gracious and grateful about whatever is served. But we intend to slip away to a hotel here and there when we can!

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]]> By: Ahi http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92398 Ahi Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:51:28 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92398 It might depend on the reasons why one is vegan. I am a vegan largely due to ethical reasons, and people saying "give it up when traveling" seems to me akin to "you may as well practice genocide in Darfur." That's a bit hyperbolic, but the point is that you shouldn't have to change who you are just because you travel. For me, it's a moral choice and I'm not going to change my morals just because I'm in a country that has different morals. More to the point--I can't change them. I am living in Korea right now and if I could turn off being vegan for a year, I sure would. I would love to. But it's part of who I am. As far as insulting your hosts, I just don't get that. I would never expect anyone to eat like me, so I just don't understand why anyone would want me to eat like them. Food is an extension of culture, sure, but even more basically it's fuel to survive. And if someone has a good reason not to eat a certain thing, then I totally support that. Though I do agree with the above posters in that I always bring my own food and never expect anyone to provide something special for me. It might depend on the reasons why one is vegan. I am a vegan largely due to ethical reasons, and people saying “give it up when traveling” seems to me akin to “you may as well practice genocide in Darfur.” That’s a bit hyperbolic, but the point is that you shouldn’t have to change who you are just because you travel.

For me, it’s a moral choice and I’m not going to change my morals just because I’m in a country that has different morals. More to the point–I can’t change them. I am living in Korea right now and if I could turn off being vegan for a year, I sure would. I would love to. But it’s part of who I am.

As far as insulting your hosts, I just don’t get that. I would never expect anyone to eat like me, so I just don’t understand why anyone would want me to eat like them. Food is an extension of culture, sure, but even more basically it’s fuel to survive. And if someone has a good reason not to eat a certain thing, then I totally support that.

Though I do agree with the above posters in that I always bring my own food and never expect anyone to provide something special for me.

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]]> By: christine http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92383 christine Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:43:07 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92383 Thanks for your take, Eva. Thanks for your take, Eva.

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]]> By: Eva http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92382 Eva Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:29:39 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92382 This reminds me of the clothing debate we had a while back -- and while I've sometimes felt like I'm missing out by being vegetarian when I travel, I don't think I'm doing anything offensive or wrong. Again, I think it's interesting to switch it around. As far as principles go (practicalities like availability of specialized food being something else), I would never expect someone to give up their halal meals or whatever else while in Canada in order to better experience the country. So why is it potentially an insult for me to be myself while overseas? This is a part of the travel debate that I don't think I'll ever really understand. (Though as an aside, I think that people with specialized diets need to take responsibility for their own needs, and not put the onus on their hosts to somehow conjure up the required ingredients, etc. It's a balance: you make a choice or commitment to your diet, and maybe you miss out on some things, maybe you have the extra hassle of bringing some food with you. But whether it's worth it is your call, I think, and not a matter of disrespecting the locals.) This reminds me of the clothing debate we had a while back — and while I’ve sometimes felt like I’m missing out by being vegetarian when I travel, I don’t think I’m doing anything offensive or wrong.

Again, I think it’s interesting to switch it around. As far as principles go (practicalities like availability of specialized food being something else), I would never expect someone to give up their halal meals or whatever else while in Canada in order to better experience the country. So why is it potentially an insult for me to be myself while overseas? This is a part of the travel debate that I don’t think I’ll ever really understand.

(Though as an aside, I think that people with specialized diets need to take responsibility for their own needs, and not put the onus on their hosts to somehow conjure up the required ingredients, etc. It’s a balance: you make a choice or commitment to your diet, and maybe you miss out on some things, maybe you have the extra hassle of bringing some food with you. But whether it’s worth it is your call, I think, and not a matter of disrespecting the locals.)

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]]> By: Travellohr http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/06/22/cultural-respect-food-ethics-and-the-conscious-traveler/comment-page-1/#comment-92380 Travellohr Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:46:59 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=3186#comment-92380 Of course, ethics is an issue entirely distinct from health. I think if someone is a devout vegan or the like and is in a country that can't normally and naturally provide such a diet for them, they should loosen their standards for the time they're there, go with the native flow and eat up. Putting people to the trouble of scrambling to provide food just for you based on stringest restrictions you've put on yourself isn't right, in my opinion. While traveling around our own country, though, and other countries where they are accustomed to their own vegetarians, vegans, etc. it's a different matter. Then I don't think it's much of an imposition to request foods that are a part of your chosen diet. As far as refusing the food of the locals because it's going to make you physically sick...I don't see another real option other than trying to get the foods you need to keep your health. Of course, ethics is an issue entirely distinct from health. I think if someone is a devout vegan or the like and is in a country that can’t normally and naturally provide such a diet for them, they should loosen their standards for the time they’re there, go with the native flow and eat up. Putting people to the trouble of scrambling to provide food just for you based on stringest restrictions you’ve put on yourself isn’t right, in my opinion. While traveling around our own country, though, and other countries where they are accustomed to their own vegetarians, vegans, etc. it’s a different matter. Then I don’t think it’s much of an imposition to request foods that are a part of your chosen diet.

As far as refusing the food of the locals because it’s going to make you physically sick…I don’t see another real option other than trying to get the foods you need to keep your health.

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