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Man, wading into OT from time to time, I feel like the liberalest liberal who ever liberaled... and even I think...

 Seaward wrote:
"Well, at least I'm not that fething stupid."

I mean, seriously. Sensitivity to difference in cultural culinary experiences is one thing. Adapting ones speech to reflect that not everyone might have tasted every type of food is something else.

Oh no, what if a student hasn't had a PB&J sandwich! Maybe... they'll ask what one is and be enlightened?

Or the teacher can just hand them out, and embrace the ever-loving reaming they get when they find at least one previously unknown peanut allergy.

Wait...

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

Also, Brits haven't had real food if they haven't had home cooked meals in the US South. You people haven't lived until you've had some home fried chicken, catfish, mash potatoes, cornbread, etc.

My wife went through a phase of cooking US southern food using apparently authentic recipes and the ingredients are easy enough to get hold of here. While I haven't had catfish as its not found in the UK I have had the rest and more besides. Its ok, nothing special though and surely mashed potatoes are ubiquitous.

Is there really that much difference between US and UK foods? There are regional variations but globalisation has ensured that the staples on both sides of the Atlantic, and indeed in most western countries. are extremely similar.

 Palindrome wrote:

Is there really that much difference between US and UK foods? There are regional variations but globalisation has ensured that the staples on both sides of the Atlantic, and indeed in most western countries. are extremely similar.

Not all foods from your side of the pond are even available here in the US... At least, not in a traditional manner, or necessarily known about. For instance, while I was stationed in Germany, I met a restaurant owner who made some fantastic Haggis. Upon returning from there, I was informed it was impossible to get many of the "meat" ingredients due to the USDA and FDA or someone saying that I cant eat those parts of the sheep.

 whembly wrote:

Manchu wrote:
If PB&J sammiches are wrong, I don't want to be right.

Exactly...

Isn't it as American as Apple Pie?

Sugar pie is where the gak's at it has maple syrup in it (which makes everything better).

 Palindrome wrote:

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

Also, Brits haven't had real food if they haven't had home cooked meals in the US South. You people haven't lived until you've had some home fried chicken, catfish, mash potatoes, cornbread, etc.

My wife went through a phase of cooking US southern food using apparently authentic recipes and the ingredients are easy enough to get hold of here. While I haven't had catfish as its not found in the UK I have had the rest and more besides. Its ok, nothing special though and surely mashed potatoes are ubiquitous.

Is there really that much difference between US and UK foods? There are regional variations but globalisation has ensured that the staples on both sides of the Atlantic, and indeed in most western countries. are extremely similar.

Mmm...no. Real southern cooking is never in a book. Grandma's don't write down recipes.

dude, California Fried Fish Is the best. If you want great fried food go t CALI, not the south

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
dude, California Fried Fish Is the best. If you want great fried food go t CALI, not the south

O.o

There is something inherently wrong with this statement. As we all know that fried foods are terrible for you, and California and New Bloomberg City are havens of healthy eating, and as such they don't have true fried foods in those places...

Also, Frazz is correct. Grandmas will only write down a recipe under the threat of imminent death to them or their grandkids. Or upon marrying off their son so that the wife can make their husband's favorite dish and he can say, "it's close, but ma's recipe is better."

No one in California can cook. Its like you have no concept of something called spices. Sorry, but your food (at least in LA) was just plain boring.

Having said that I had the best biscuits and gravy of my life in Cali, and excellent hole in the wall Mexican food.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

Not all foods from your side of the pond are even available here in the US... At least, not in a traditional manner, or necessarily known about. For instance, while I was stationed in Germany, I met a restaurant owner who made some fantastic Haggis. Upon returning from there, I was informed it was impossible to get many of the "meat" ingredients due to the USDA and FDA or someone saying that I cant eat those parts of the sheep.

Sheep lung isn't classed as a foodstuff apparently, I have no idea why.

There are of course local foods but how often are they actually eaten by the average person and how often do they appear on the menus of restaurants? In this country at least a typical menu in the north of Scotland will be very similar to a menu from the same type of establishment in Cornwall except that there will be a couple of fairly minor local touches. I have noticed that the same is also true throughout western Europe to an extent, names may be changed and there will obviously be variations but the food is essentially the same.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
dude, California Fried Fish Is the best. If you want great fried food go t CALI, not the south

I kind of want to punch you in the dick...

McDonald's is pretty awesome...

 Steve steveson wrote:

“white privilege,”

Ah. The new race card. The equivalent of "I'm not racist but", but even worse because of the hypocritical nature of the racism involved in the accusation. As soon as anyone says that or Male Privilege they instantly negate the rest of the argument no matter how valid.

Why is it racist to point out that white people don't experience racism as harshly as other races in general (at least in Canada and the US)?

 Steve steveson wrote:
It's used for allot of things

Behold - a wild Allot, cousin to the much more common Alot.

With apologies to Steve - I don't usually jump on typos but I will use any excuse to post that comic.

"Southern food" seems like a pretty wide umbrella. My understanding is that Southerners just in different parts of NC -- let alone the entire South -- have very different ideas about BBQ, such as vinegar based vs. tomato based. Personally, I like some things thought of as traditionally Southern food, and not others. It's not all amazing to me. Like any other cuisine, really.

Frazzled makes an important point about the skill and knowledge of the person making it. The things my Pennsylvania Dutch (German) grandmother made -- especially the pies -- were just crazy good and not something just anyone could duplicate even if there was a recipe written down. In most cases, there wasn't, and it was only after some interrogation while she was still alive, and a lot of trial and error later that my Mom and brother were able to duplicate her potato filling with about 90% accuracy.

@Cheesecat -- Personally, I think shoofly pie gives that sugar pie a flying elbow drop. But I also recognize that shoofly isn't for everyone. *shrug*

Indeed. My wife had to physically follow her mom around while making some things to get a decent idea of the real recipe.

I was there for the potato filling discussion and it was pretty painful, LOL. She made the stuff without having to think about it and didn't have a concept of how much of anything beyond "the right amount."

Similar to your example, the only way to really figure out my other grandmother's recipe for golabki (stuffed cabbage) is to follow her around as she makes it.

Oh, PA Dutch... the only good thing about that state with the exception of a good philly steak sandwich... I was in the Lehigh Valley a few years ago, and my buddy's mom made us "gak on a Shingle" from her mother's recipe... I've had chipped beef before, and never liked it... I would have eaten them out of house and home based on that meal.

 Cheesecat wrote:

 Steve steveson wrote:

“white privilege,”

Ah. The new race card. The equivalent of "I'm not racist but", but even worse because of the hypocritical nature of the racism involved in the accusation. As soon as anyone says that or Male Privilege they instantly negate the rest of the argument no matter how valid.

Why is it racist to point out that white people don't experience racism as harshly as other races in general (at least in Canada and the US)?

That's not what it means. White privilege is the assumption that because you are white you are automatically have certain advantages and that you are privileged. This is no more true or fair than assuming that because you are black you are going to be a criminal or because you are from the Middle East you are going to be a terrorist.

There is privilege related to money and status, and yes, the majority of the rich I the US are white. However the concept of white privilege puts that burden on all white people, rich and poor alike and implies that rich minorities do not have the same access. In fact I would argue it is a very damaging concept that places responsibility on someone else. Look, for example, at elite universities in the UK. People complain of institutional racism. This puts minority's of applying. However when you look in to the statistics it dose not in fact exist. On the one hand fewer students apply, and secondly those that do the apply overwhelmingly for the most competitive courses, meaning it looks like they are more likely to be rejected on the surface, bringing accusations of racism and "white privilege" therefore putting students off.

Also, sound bites and phrases like "white privilege" are easy to fling around, but say nothing, and are designed to shut down all argument or disagreement by being vague yet emotionally charged.

This is not to say there is no racism, or that we should not tackle it, but that it is a phrase used by those who at best have nothing to say.

 Alfndrate wrote:


Also, Frazz is correct. Grandmas will only write down a recipe under the threat of imminent death to them or their grandkids. Or upon marrying off their son so that the wife can make their husband's favorite dish and he can say, "it's close, but ma's recipe is better."

Or, if they do write it down, it'll include helpful measurement systems as "a pinch" or "a dash" and "some" or "handful"

True dat

You guys havnt been to rural or suburban California, Where we care less about healthy eating. The Fried food is AMAZING. I would pay out the butt for fried fish from a vendor on the side of the road near fishermens wharf

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
You guys havnt been to rural or suburban California, Where we care less about healthy eating. The Fried food is AMAZING. I would pay out the butt for fried fish from a vendor on the side of the road near fishermens wharf

Why would I want to go to rural California, when everywhere else has good fried food even in their cities?

Currently I'm craving this:

 Steve steveson wrote:
That's not what it means. White privilege is the assumption that because you are white you are automatically have certain advantages and that you are privileged. This is no more true or fair than assuming that because you are black you are going to be a criminal or because you are from the Middle East you are going to be a terrorist.

Actually it has to do with a cultural outlook in which whiteness is the norm with everything else being a deviation, and unrecognized ease of movement. It isn't overt expressions of privilege, or it would be easy to deal with, and it isn't a lie either. Of course one of the things white people do is pretend it isn't true, but they have that privilege.

 Palindrome wrote:
I don't see why americans insist on putting jam on peanut butter. I have had one (made by an american using american ingredients) and it basically tasted like a peanut butter sandwich. Why bother with the jam?

I get the impression that some people trawl the internet looking for stories simply to bait dakka with.

You obviously didn't put enough jelly or jam on it.

Too many people put too much peanut butter on the sandwitch, when really it should account for no more than 1/3 of the contents.

 Steve steveson wrote:

 Cheesecat wrote:

 Steve steveson wrote:

“white privilege,”

Ah. The new race card. The equivalent of "I'm not racist but", but even worse because of the hypocritical nature of the racism involved in the accusation. As soon as anyone says that or Male Privilege they instantly negate the rest of the argument no matter how valid.

Why is it racist to point out that white people don't experience racism as harshly as other races in general (at least in Canada and the US)?

That's not what it means. White privilege is the assumption that because you are white you are automatically have certain advantages and that you are privileged. This is no more true or fair than assuming that because you are black you are going to be a criminal or because you are from the Middle East you are going to be a terrorist.

There is privilege related to money and status, and yes, the majority of the rich I the US are white. However the concept of white privilege puts that burden on all white people, rich and poor alike and implies that rich minorities do not have the same access. In fact I would argue it is a very damaging concept that places responsibility on someone else. Look, for example, at elite universities in the UK. People complain of institutional racism. This puts minority's of applying. However when you look in to the statistics it dose not in fact exist. On the one hand fewer students apply, and secondly those that do the apply overwhelmingly for the most competitive courses, meaning it looks like they are more likely to be rejected on the surface, bringing accusations of racism and "white privilege" therefore putting students off.

Also, sound bites and phrases like "white privilege" are easy to fling around, but say nothing, and are designed to shut down all argument or disagreement by being vague yet emotionally charged.

This is not to say there is no racism, or that we should not tackle it, but that it is a phrase used by those who at best have nothing to say.

No it is partially what it means as one of the advantages of being white is that (at least in Canada and US) we don't experience racism on as severe level as other races and we also have considerably more control than any other race in pretty much every industry and in government that's

a privilege that white people get no other race can claim that (at least in Canada and US). Being unsuccessful or successful as white person is rarely effected by our race (although we are effected by other factors such as gender and class) which can't necessarily be said for the average

Native person (although class is actually the biggest factor in effecting one's success), that is an example of white privilege. The fact that things from a white person's perspective are considered the normal point of view and that we have the power to ignore how other races may feel

about this is a white privilege. The ability for white people to ignore racism effecting other races because they themselves are unable care for it or aren't aware that it exists is a white privilege. The fact that some races and ethnicities have to do deal with racism on a personal level every

single day and on average most white people don't, is a white privilege.

I suggest you read this:
http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html

ugh... white privilege is such a dirty world.

 whembly wrote:
ugh... white privilege is such a dirty world.

Well, it still exists whether you like it or not.

cheese cat... you only say that because you are white, living in a white household, in a white neighborhood, in a white country.

go live, as the only white guy on a reserve, or in a south African community, or somewhere you are the minority... and tell me how privileged you feel there. I have literally had to run, fearing for my life, from native gangs when I was on the reserve. I can still hear the leaders voice in my head "hey white boy, whacoo doing on our land?"


in countries where the dominant ethnicity is not Caucasian, they have "their dominant ethnic group" privilege just as much as any other country.

maybe you should get past the "just out of highschool pot smoking genius of all" stage, and live abroad under conditions of being the only white guy around for a while...

I have had far more racism directly directed towards me because I am "white" abroad living in "non white" countries, or simply being in canada/US in a bar or setting where I am the minority.


the worst story I have seen/heard against a "non white" person, was my friend being told she can play bass well "cause shes black" (I smacked that guy pretty well, much to my friends delight)
and this includes every single story from every single one of my non white friends... that was the worst. Nothing came close to "people chasing me down wanting to beat me up cause I'm white"

my girlfriend is chinese, and tells me how she loves how every one is equal here, not like in china where apparently you can be the "wrong kind" of Chinese even... god forbid you if you are not even Chinese. not to mention the amount racism directed towards westerners. She warns me to not wander off without her when we visit its so bad.

its not a coincidence that the first word I learnt when traveling the orient was "Gwai Lo" white devil, the equivalent of the N word, and yes derogatory racist terms for white people count as derogatory racist terms.

but right, racism only counts when its Caucasians doing it.

if I go to china, and whine and complain how hard it is to get ahead because all the chinese have the good jobs and influence,

Im racist against the chinese in your books...

if a chinese person comes here and complains how hard it is to get ahead because all the canadians have the good jobs and influence,

Its still my fault in your books...


a visible minority in canada/europe/states gets better treatment then minorities in other countries... its just so happens that here the majority is caucasian, and other countries caucasian is the minority.


so stop trying to spread this first world guilt about how there is this secret club of white guys giving out special white guy privilege... you are in effect, calling every Caucasian a racist.

racism exists, its an issue, but it most certainly is NOT predominately the fault of ANY one race... to assert it is, is in fact racist and uneducated.

Sigh, that's why I have been putting Canada and US in brackets in several of my posts as they're the examples I'm most familiar with obviously racism is different from country to country.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I was commenting on racism form Canadian/US perspective as white privilege may not be something that exists in say Japan or something, but it certainly exists here.

Fried food is the ultimate in cuisine. Now let's take a moment to consider the genius that is the deep fried mars bar.