Week 10

Throughout the entire course “Writing Bout Culture” I feel we were led to believe that America uses way too much corn, and eats too much processed food. Specifically, that too much corn in our diets, as opposed to natural ingredients, was unhealthy and a prevalent cause in our nations obesity problem.  However, when I visited the website cornsugar.com, I learned that corn sugar, or High Fructose Corn Syrup, is no better or worse for you from normal cane sugar. In fact, our bodies cannot tell the difference. Corn Sugar lacks fructose, and is much cheaper and more efficient than cane sugar. So why in the movie Supersize Me did Morgan Spurlock strongly stress how many food products had corn sugar in them? Almost every processed food one can think of from soda to Gatorade to a bag of chips had Corn sugar in it. It is not like those products are going to not be made without regular sugar if HFCS did not exist. Michael Pollan mentioned in his book The Omnivore’s Dilemma how corn had taken over America’s food, and how bad it was to raise our meat on corn and to use it as much as we do in processed food. Yes, it is wrong to raise our meat on foods that they do not eat, but is using corn as much as we do all that bad? Both Spurlock and Pollan did their jobs in pointing out corn’s prevalence, and opening our eyes about any health concerns.  But as far as a sweetener, cornsugar.com taught me that maybe HFCS is the better choice compared to sugar.

           

I am not going to say after visiting the website and learning about corn sugar, that I totally disagree with the points Spurlock and Pollan made. My thinking is that people are going to eat junk food no matter what is in it. If corn sugar is not going to hurt them, or change the product in any way, why fight it? If anything cornsugar.com and the natural food enthusiast should point out the benefits of one another, as well as the disadvantages. Corn sugar is not natural, but it is practically the same and a hell of a lot cheaper.  This course taught me all about our food culture, and how much has to do with corn. My newly formed idea is that corn is used way too much in our meats, and processed foods are way too unhealthy to be eaten as much as they are. But it is not hurting anyone to use corn as a sweetener, and the myth that HFCS is bad for you should be brought to light.

Week 9: More than Just Energy?

 Since when did food become more than anything but survival? When did humans decide to have sit-down meals, restaurants, and use food to comfort others, or show affection? Humans are social creatures, needing feelings of love and belongingness, and food plays a huge role in keeping humans social.

If a man loves a woman, he gives her a box of chocolate, takes her out to a fancy restaurant, or cooks her an expensive meal. Depending on the quality of the food he gives his woman may result in what kinds of feelings she returns to him. A husband must take his wife out for a nice meal for Valentine’s day or for an anniversary, otherwise he is in trouble. In high school, a boy is more likely to get favorable results if he takes his prom date to a five star restaurant, as opposed to a McDonald’s. Food has a tremendous role in being romantic, and courting the opposite sex.

           

The whole idea of Thanksgiving is based upon getting together with loved ones and sharing a nice turkey meal. The origins of the holiday go back to the Native Americans and European Colonists who set aside their differences and shared a meal, making peace. In essence, a meal was able to unite people of different ethnicities, with different views, with many differences between them, and make peace if only for a little while. Now Thanksgiving brings relatives from all around the country together again to eat a big turkey and watch football, even if not all relatives get along. My mom and Aunt despise each other, but every thanksgiving they are able to suck it up and share a meal to show that despite any differences they have, they are still family. Food has the power to bring enemies together and make peace, if only for the holidays. Fascinating, considering biologically food’s purpose is to provide energy.

Food also plays a tremendous role in showing gratitude, and sympathy. It is customary in human culture to give food as a gift, to repay a favor, or to just show someone they are loved. My aunt baked me cookies to thank me for babysitting my cousin. My mom will typically send some fresh brownies to a new neighbor, and cookies to all the neighbors during Christmas. When someone we know dies, we will send food to the relatives to show how sympathetic we are. Food can mean so much more than calories, depending on the context of how it is used.

In a world where so many people are starving, lacking the basic nutrition and means to live a healthy life, it is very interesting to see how some cultures use food for social purposes. From what point did humans go from being hunter-gatherers, to using food as gifts and rituals to show: love, appreciation, and sympathy? As humans evolved and became more social, food became more important, as it gave people the chance to get together. As social beings, humans will continue to use food for other than survival, until the end of life as we know it.

W8: O'Betty's Review

When I was walking to O' Betty’s on Union, I did not know what to expect. All I heard was that they serve some of the best hot dogs around, which was not important to me because I never cared for hot dogs and do not eat them. When I walked in, I saw a counter with bar stools, a couple booths, and some small tables scattered throughout the tiny restaurant. The décor and atmosphere of O' Betty’s is tacky and cheesy to say the least, but that is what made it a fun place. A restaurant that serves hot dogs is not going to be complete with somber music, a water fountain, candles, and fancy table clothes. Instead its ceilings are decorated with fake roses. Its walls are decorated with old pictures of flappers, and its booths are of cheetah pattern material complete with cheetah-patterned pillows.

Everything was very informal. The servers dressed in regular clothes, and we could here the cooks laughing it up in the kitchen. The customers eating looked to be enjoying them selves, as they would talk loudly amongst the others sitting at their table. The servers were really good about taking down everyone’s order, filling up drinks, answering questions, and bringing the checks out in a fast and orderly manner. That was impressive considering the place was absolutely packed.

The food arrived really fast, between five and ten minutes per order. I can’t say personally how good the food was, but the walls were covered with awards for “best hot dog” from many years, including 2011. The people at my table who did order food seemed to really enjoy their meals. Words like “delicious” and “really good” and “the best hot dog I ever had” were being tossed around quite frequently at our table, and many said that they would definitely be returning for more hot dogs in the future. The food was also really cheap for the amount of portions each meal had. No wonder college kids love this place.

All in all, O' Betty’s is a great place for anyone who wants a delicious cheap hot dog. They also serve sausages, bratwurst, and a whole array of fries, ranging from plain to garlic, to spicy.  I must say, the food did look delicious, and I just might reconsider my stance of not liking hot dogs. At least until I try one of O' Betty’s famous wieners.

W7 Food Inc. & the Persuasive Power of Film

The reason why people find Food Inc. persuasive is it provides solid facts and statistics that simply can’t be argued against. Not only is each statistic from a reputable source, but they are surprising and eye opening. People viewing the film for the first time learn so much about where the food they eat really comes from, the problems surrounding the industrialization of the food industry, and the dark side behind the FDA and big food corporations. By showing facts, graphs, statistics, and numbers, Food Inc. is able to logically persuade viewers.

                Also, by being produced by qualified filmmakers and having testimonies from real experts on the food industry, Food Inc. is able to be even more persuasive. This documentary isn’t some flick some college students made for a film class. This film is professional and legitimate, having a budget big enough to use helicopters for camera shots, and allow the crew to visit multiple sites to capture images from all over the U.S., including multiple feed lots and farms. People are actually able to see with their own two eyes what really is going on with their food at these farms and feed lots, so that visual makes it easy for people to believe what is being said by Food Inc. Each person being interviewed, from the farmers to the journalists, is credible enough to believe. They are not running for election, or trying to gain anything by appearing in the film. They are just trying to reveal the truth about the food industry. That cause persuades people to listen to what they are saying, and generally agree or empathize with them.

                I was persuaded by the film because of the statistics and visuals used, especially the ones used to show the chicken houses and feed lots. I think the impact the documentary varies for different people. Some people will watch the film and not think anything of it, while others may completely change their lifestyle. It really depends on the individual viewer, if they are appalled from what they see, or if they even have the means to afford a lifestyle change.  However, he film definitely makes people more aware and educated about the food industry and what they consume.

 Compared to other acts of persuasion, a film outdoes them all because of the capabilities. A lecture can be boring and uninteresting depending on the speaker, lots of people do not like to read news editorials, and speeches can be mundane. Films made by professionals with a decent budget can explore much more about the topic, and jam more information in a more entertaining way. Films can visit multiple locations, show multiple images, and stress multiple times in a flashier way. Just compare the theater and books to the film industry: more people are watching movies than going to plays or reading. Films can appeal to more people (especially ones with short attention spans). For this reason they are the most persuasive than other acts.

W6 Odd Foods

Ever look at a certain food and wonder what the first person was thinking when he decided to put that food in his mouth and eat it? In other words, have you ever found it odd that people eat a certain food? One particular dish that I find delicious, but am curious of who decided it was food, is any type of crustacean- more specifically: lobster. Take one look at a lobster and you see a pair of giant claws attached to a hard-shelled alien-like creature that dwells at the bottom of the sea. Was somebody stranded on an island and by some chance decided to boil a lobster, and then crack off the shell and enjoy the sweet meet on the inside? I like to think that lobster became a dish amongst people who lived on the ocean and ate it because it was in abundance, and over time the taste for lobster spread to the point of today where lobster is somewhat of a delicacy. All I am saying is that I question how the first person who ate a lobster, was able to look at that spiky, clawed, hard-shelled monster and say, “I think I am going to eat that”.

           

Another food that seems odd that people eat (to me anyway) is escargot, or snails. When I think of escargot, I think of a man in Paris eating snails at a café in view of the Eifel Tower. I am sure that many Americans look at snails and think it is disgusting that not only do people actually eat them, but they are very expensive and fancy. My brother tried escargot when he was in France and he said they were delicious. They may be the best tasting food in the world, but that does not excuse the fact that snails are slimy and ooze everywhere. It just seems strange that at some point in human history a man or woman decided to devour a slimy snail. Were they starving? Because snails are not too big in size, not enough to satisfy a man’s hunger anyway, and are not really abundant anywhere either.

           

Who knows how lobster and escargot came in to being as far as food goes, but we know now that they are both very fancy dishes. It is ironic that animals as ugly and monstrous looking as lobsters and snails could be such a delicacy today.

W5: Our Fast Food Nation

Today people look at the fast food culture in America and may say, “Americans are fat and lazy and that is why fast food is such a big part of their culture.” I don’t believe that statements like these are necessarily true. Most Americans work hard and are extremely busy, so fast food exists not only to please the appetite of a lazy slob, but to cater to the palate of the busy worker. People do not even have step out of their car to get a full meal, making fast food a common choice for people on a time crunch, as well as lazy slobs. Also, the fact that fast food taste good and is relatively cheap helps out its popularity. Why is fast food so distinctly American? The reason is fast food originated in America, and other countries have a much richer food history. The United States is a relatively new country, so the culture of fast food is what Americans know. English people have their tea time, Italians have their big pasta dinners, the French have their crepes, and other European countries have their own food procedures. These countries have been eating and living like that for hundreds of years, so when fast food gained widespread notoriety in the U.S., these countries were not just going to stop what they have been doing for generations and jump on the fast food bandwagon. Because the U.S.’s food culture consists of hamburgers, hot dogs, and fast food joints, America is identified by fast food.

When I traveled to Germany, I stopped in a McDonald’s in downtown Munich and noticed a variety of differences compared to the ones in the U.S. Although they had the famous items like the big mac, the portions were much smaller than seen in the U.S. People also seemed to treat the McDonald’s like an internet café, sitting around drinking coffee and browsing the web on their laptops or smart phones, opposed to stuffing their faces with the food and leaving abruptly. The menu had food not seen in the U.S. McDonalds, specifically popcorn shrimp with tartar sauce that came in the same packets as the barbeque or honey mustard. A major difference was in order to use the bathroom; I had to deposit some money in to a turnstile. The bathrooms, along with the whole restaurant, were much cleaner than the McDonalds of the U.S. The Germans did not use McDonalds as a convenient and fast meal, but for the enjoyment of American cuisine. It is like they perceive McDonald’s differently; like it is a real restaurant as opposed to a fast food joint. And so instead of ordering, eating, and leaving in a fast and orderly manner, the Germans hung out a while and took their time. It only goes to show the cultural differences between Europe and the U.S. when it comes to fast food.

W4 "Americn Food"

             America is a melting pot, with influence from countries and cultures all over the globe. When the world thinks Italian food, spaghetti, pizza, red wine, anything with marinara sauce, or anything that ends with an “ini” (like linguini or panini), comes to mind. When the world thinks German cuisine, they picture giant bratwurst with a side of sauerkraut and a stein of beer to wash it all down. Mexico has got their tacos, burritos, and nachos that define what their food is like. When I try to think of an American menu, I try to leave out the influence of these other regions of the world. I specifically try to think of food that reminds me of America, and cannot be traced to other countries.

            First item of food that just screams “U.S.A.” is Buffalo wings. My restaurant would have an array of flavors and sauces to show non-Americans that the chicken wings are not just sauced with buffalo. Wings were made famous in the United States and therefore they are a given on the menu of my American restaurant. They are completed with a side of celery sticks and ranch or bleu cheese dressing. Americans do not like to use silverware and foreigners will understand that when dining in an American restaurant.

            Americans also loved fried chicken. Whether it is succulent KFC like crisp breast meat, or just some simple chicken fingers, fried chicken is a must. Sauces including barbeque, buffalo, honey mustard, ranch, bleu cheese, sweet and sour will al be accompanying the fried chicken dish. The dish would be completed with mash potatoes and gravy, but unfortunately silverware is now needed.

            One famous cooking technique that started with the slaves of America was the art of barbeque. Slow roasting pig meat so that it is juicy, succulent, and falling off the bone is an art that is not easily mastered. Barbeque ribs would be an essential item on the menu because of its historical significance in American History. They would be served along side corn bread and corn on the cob to make the dish feel like the fourth of July, a pretty important date for Americans.

            Soda, ice tea, and shitty beer would be the American beverages served in the restaurant. Desert would consist of ice cream Sundays or root beer floats. They remind me of the malt shops in the fifties, which are extremely unique to America, and an important part of American culture.

            These dishes on my restaurant menu represent America because Americans made them, for American eaters. Anything that could be eaten with the fingers, or anything fried, or anything saucy is what wets an Americas palate. I would tried to incorporate as much of Americas culture in to the menu, which is why we see fried chicken, chicken wings, bbq ribs, and malt Sundays all on the menu.