Considering Cultures

People from different cultures have vastly different perceptions of the food they eat. Many cultures associate food with social class; in the 1800s, “lobster was literally low-class food, eaten only by the poor.” Some cultures are appalled by certain animals that are considered delicacies in other parts of the world. While eating insects is very uncommon in the U.S. and is often considered repulsive, eating grasshoppers is quite common in Mexico. Many western cultures are also appalled by the fact that people in areas of China eat dogs.

Many cultures believe that the food people eat has a direct impact on the way they behave, similar to how drinking alcohol can cause people to lose their inhibitions and almost change their personalities. Cultures in South America may eat leopard, believing that doing so will help them gain the strength and cunning of the animal. On the other hand, Indian cultures believe that eating meat and spices can make someone aggressive and violent. Indians believe that eating foods like rice, lentils, and fresh vegetables can make a person more peaceful and alert. Other foods, such as leftovers and fatty foods, can leave people feeling lethargic and idol.

The best diet has been an ongoing debate, and, despite Wallace’s impassioned essay, people will continue to follow their own eating habits. Convincing someone else to adopt a certain diet seems like a pointless debate. Instead, we should probably respect other people’s food choices, just as we respect other cultures.

I Want Happiness

I want happiness. Today. But as I see the world around me, I find it nearly impossible to be completely happy, truly at peace. The world never seems to slow down; there are simply too many stressful occasions whether its school or even over break. However, it is a comfort to me that I am not the only one who deals with this struggle.

Everyone wants to be happy. Some older people reminisce about their past, their childhood, relaying their cherished memories in those “once upon a time” stories. The children I meet find happiness by playing their far-fetched games. They are all so creative: they are able to conjure up such fantastic scenarios like riding pink elephants and flying with the birds. Many find their happiness through religion, following the guidance of Jesus and other spiritual teachers to understand the world around them.

I want to be happy. I want to experience a laid back life in which I do not have a worry in the world. I also want to be successful in school and my other activities. I might not always want to analyze the rhetoric in an essay - as it can be painstakingly difficult -, but I tend to find it a very fulfilling experience. At present, pure happiness remains only a want. In the future, maybe it will become a reality.

Appearance: A Choice or an Obligation?

I thought that “About Men” and “There is no unmarked woman” were two pieces that complemented each other perfectly, offering a unique insight into the struggles faced by people of either gender. Tannen's discussion on the objectifying of women and the emphasis on their appearance is rather commonplace in the mainstream media; after about twenty-five years since her piece was published, we have a number of strong advocates for women’s rights, such as Michelle Obama. “About Men” discussed male insecurities, which I feel are definitely discussed less in the media but are just as important to consider.

Tannen seems to believe that the other women in the meeting are dressed well for the purpose of being promoted or attaining a greater standing in the workplace. Tannen seems to completely ignore the idea that people might dress up simply because they want to look their best. Tannen seems to believe that people dress up simply to impress other people: she says that “some days [she] just wants to get dressed and go about [her] business,” without having to conform to any expectations about her appearance. However, perhaps many people genuinely enjoy dressing nicely, as it may help them feel more confident and important. People may wish to imitate the athletes, musicians, or celebrities simply because they admire them, not for any ulterior motive.

I also found it quite interesting how Tannen provides no information regarding her own appearance. Has she also succumbed to the expectations of women’s appearances in the workplace? Or does she protest these prevailing gender norms by dressing in her own way?

Any Good in Stereotypes?

Stereotypes are widely considered to be negative, but stereotypes tend to give me a sense of comfort. I often find it easier to interact with people of a similar cultural background, a similar family, similar goals and experiences. It just so happens that the people I speak to on a regular basis and interact with are the same race as me. I don’t intentionally choose to interact with people of the same race, and I don’t think most people do. For many people, perhaps interacting with someone who is the same race is just easier and more convenient.

Staples seems to focus mainly on the negative stereotypes associated with his African American background.  He talks about how he seems “indistinguishable from the muggers” and has been mistaken for criminals. However, there are also many positive stereotypes about African American culture as well: African Americans are considered to be very athletically gifted and talented in rap, jazz, and other genres of music. From a more personal standpoint, Asians may be thought of as introverted and obsessive, but they are also considered to be very studious, hard-working, and humble. These stereotypes are largely positive, but can they still be hurtful?

While it does seem unreasonable to make entire generalizations based on someone’s race, I feel like making such inferences cannot be helped. We try to make connections with the world around us in order to better understand its functions and processes. Right now, it might be too difficult to move on from stereotypes altogether, as they have been ingrained into our society for decades. But maybe, for now, we can focus on the positive stereotypes and gradually move away from stereotypes altogether in the future, seeing people as the individuals they are.