Food is an expression of culture. Food plays a role in social interactions and ritual, as well as in daily life. Therefore, a culture's food transcends the mundane meanings of self-sustenance and survival. Visiting the restaurants owned and operated by persons from a specific culture offers a window into that society, however small that window might be. Culture is defined as a "full range of learned human behavior patterns," which are integral to the creation of individual and group identity (O'Neil, 2006). Culture is transmitted via processes like socialization and acculturation; and culture is also disseminated via the construction of social norms. Communication is integral to the definition of culture. Not only is language itself an expression of culture, but the ways in which people communicate nonverbally is too. As the text points out, issues such as power distance, particularism, and contextual cues will all become components of cultural communication styles. Not obviously linked to the role of food, communication is apparent when partaking of edible offerings. The way food is presented; the role of the server and of the chef, and the manner in which people eat (such as communal vs. single tables) are emblematic of culture. Add to those essential communication factors issues such as restaurant decor and music, and eating becomes the most multisensory encounter with culture imaginable. For example, in the Ethiopian restaurant that I visited, culture was communicated via a series...

First, the outside of the Queen of Sheba restaurant was not particularly attractive. It was the inside that mattered. Great care was taken to create a comfortable, cozy, and home-like environment in which guests could enjoy a meal. The artwork on the wall included overt cultural symbols: such as flags and photographs of the landscape and historical sites in Ethiopia. The cultural symbols were not only visual but audible as well, because the music was Ethiopian in origin.
Moreover, the service at the restaurant was laid-back. Many Americans would have found the service to be "slow," in a bad way. This is because of the cultural differences between American and Ethiopian society regarding concepts of time and communication. It is not expected to "eat and run" in an Ethiopian dining experience, but rather, to linger with a group of people for several hours as might be done in a country like Italy.

A classmate visited Besito, a Mexican restaurant. The classmate describes the ambiance as "authentic," "warm," and "inviting." One way culture was communicated at Besito was via the inclusion of Spanish words and phrases into the conversation between the wait staff and customers. The inclusion of Spanish language solidifies the group identity of the servers and anyone else in the restaurant who happens to be from Central America. However, English becomes the universal language of communication between persons from different cultures. This allows for…

Sources used in this document:
References

Food and Culture Resources (2012). Welcome to food, culture, and tradition. Retrieved online: http://www.food-links.com/

O'Neil, D. (2006). What is culture? Retrieved online: http://anthro.palomar.edu/culture/culture_1.htm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Food Culture
Words: 611 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Anthro In "McDonald's in Taipei," Wu describes the radical changes to Taiwanese culture that took place during the 1980s. The introduction of American fast food to Taiwanese markets symbolized the nature of the changes to Taiwanese culture that ensued. McDonald's is not singularly to blame for the decimation of the diversity of traditional Chinese food from the mainland, but prior to its introduction, there was a cornucopia of independent eateries boasting

Globalization and Food Culture in Hong Kong
Words: 2127 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

Hong Kong Food Culture Unlike many other cities, Hong Kong offers a unique case study in the effects of globalization on local economies and cultures due to its premier status as a nexus between China and the West. Over the years, and even through British rule, Hong Kong maintained its own distinctly Chinese culture even in the face of relentless influence from other countries and explicit attempts to manipulate Hong Kong

Culture Cuisine in Australia "Australia Is One
Words: 1938 Length: 6 Document Type: Thesis

Culture Cuisine in Australia "Australia is one of seven continents and constitutes most of the Pacific region, both in terms of size and population." (Compton & Warren 2008, P 126). The indigenous people influence food and Australian culture and people immigrated into Australia from other part of the world. Typically, multicultural influx of the people from other part of the world settling in Australia greatly influences the contemporary Australian cuisine. Objective of

Food History in Switzerland
Words: 1239 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Food History-Swiss The Food History of Switzerland's Cuisine What is the geographical location of Switzerland and why it would have an affect on the Switzerland cuisine? (i.e., what is Switzerland's weather condition and what do they eat mostly, etc.) The famously neutral nation of Switzerland is located in the center of Europe. According to the official Swiss Tourist Board, this "landlocked, mountainous" quality of nation has given the country its unique identity, not

Food, Inc. As Its Title
Words: 941 Length: 3 Document Type: Film Review

This includes breeding chickens with breasts so large they can hardly stand. Humans view animals as disposable commodities. And people have fewer and fewer options not to eat this 'engineered' meat and also to afford it. The ideal situation for all animals raised in agriculture would be to live in the conditions of Polyface Farm. However, the solution to improve the lives of animals in the film is not an

Food Ritual Observance - A
Words: 2321 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

Take trail mix... It is an energetic, "idealized" snack food. This comes primarily from the target populations the manufacturer focuses it is marketing. Other channels for influence include consumers looking for "quick" fixes, such as families looking for fast and fun food. It would be interesting to explore the link marketing of "fast" snack products such as this have on families with young children, and compare this with the

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now