U - Eating culture, what can we eat?

[haycheng]

I know Jews does not eat pork due to religious reason. However, their eat culture is not mainstream in US. I am interested in talking about eating things such as bugs, snakes, cats and dogs. I have not ate any of these personally. Although I do not understand why Westerners are against eating them.
Here is the question.
1)What do you think about eating bugs?
2)What do you think about eating snakes?
3)What do you think about eating cats?
4)What do you think about eating dogs?
5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)

[Animagi rock!]

I personally would never eat bugs, except if I was nearly starved. I don't know why. I guess if I had been raised differently I might eat them, but as it is, I'd be seriously freaked out if I had to eat anything like that.

I'd think about eating snakes. Somehow it doesn't turn me off quite as much as bugs. I guess because it's more similar to the things I'm used to eating.

I'd never eat cats or dogs. I don't think I'd be able to eat anything that I might own as a pet. I already have problems eating rabbits because one of my friends has them as pets.

I don't think there should be laws against eating anything other than the exceptions that you mentioned. Even if I'd never eat bugs I'm not going to stop anyone else doing it if they like it.
I did hear of a case a while back, though, where the government here in switzerland wouldn't allow some asian shop to sell giant cockroaches (obviously a specialty) not because they were against them being eaten, but they were scared that if you'd breed them here they might get loose. Somehow I'm glad they did that. *shudders at the thought of four inch cockroaches running through her kitchen*

[Melanie]

I've eaten rattlesnake before
But I blame that on living in Texas for 2 years :P
It was some "Rattlesnake Round-Up" fair...I sat down and had my picture taken holding a rattlesnake around my neck, then I went and had some rattlesnake meat.

And would you believe...it tasted like chicken!

As for the others on the list...if I had been born and raised in a society and environment where that was the norm, you betcha.
If I were stranded out in the wilderness and I had to choose between eating bugs and dying, I'd be having cricket sandwiches.

*shudders at the thought of four inch cockroaches running through her kitchen*
They sell the giant hissing cockroaches in pet stores...I think they're precious :D

[Weatherby]

I'm a vegetarian so I wouldn't eat any of those things but if someone else wants to go ahead. If we won't prevent people from eating cows I won't ask people to stop eating chocolate covered ants or anything else they fancy.

[Crystal]

I've gon no problem with eating any of the aformentioned animals. People may say I'm wierd but if we eat one thing we should make no distinction.
I don't agree with eating endangered species (who can say tiger bones and rhino horn) because it upsets the ecological balance.
A lot of this may be bacause I am competant enough to kill, pluck, gut and cook many different types of animal so I'm not terribly squeemish.

[rotsiepots]

What do you think about eating bugs?

The indigenous people of my country eat a certain type of bug. I don't find this particularly repulsive or appetising. It all depends on cultural upbringing, so if you enjoy snacking on bugs, then so be it.

2)What do you think about eating snakes?

The same principal applies here. Snake doesn't really appeal to me, but I suppose I'd rather eat snake meat than an insect.

3)What do you think about eating cats?

I know a lot of Asian countries eat cats and dogs. In some ways this is distressing because they're treated as domestic pets in my country, but then again Hindus probably feel the same way when I eat beef. I'm not one to criticise other cultures, so I don't really have a problem with eating cats or dogs.

5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)

No. That would make the menu rather dull, don't you think? At least we have the option of eating all these things right now. I'd hate for someone to restrict what I can and can't eat.

[dncrgrrl]

Being a southern girl, I've tried rattlesnake before, along with Gator. I've also tried I think it was chocolate covered ants. I'd never eat these things normally, but if I was starving, I'd be plucking those ants off the tree! I could never eat cat or dog, just because in my mind they are pets.

[Alchemist]

Well our reactions to all of tehse thing are completely molded by what we have been taught is right and wrong in our upbringing, and the media throwing all these standards and what not at us, so really, our reaction to eating "bugs" will simply be determined on where and how we have been brought up. Had nay of us been brought up in a place where these things are considered delicasy then we wouldn't feel so negative about it...

Not just THAt but the modern culture has spoilt us into being VERY picky about our food, i know because at 19 i am EXTREMELY picky, i mean there are so many thing i just wouldnt touch that people would die for...

But even inside that cultural bubble there are differences based around social function and age and just personal experiences... i know people ibn Spain who love eating Bull's testicles because they've been brought up with that, i find it absolutely sick, but when you think about it, there were times when you had to make use of every part of a dead animal... some of these "traditions" have been maintained;)

I am rambling i know, but anyway, personally wouldn't eat any of those thing, try them? Maybe, not the bugs, but the rest, well why not? As long as it wasn't MY pet dog of course;)

k.

[Doggy]

I don't think I'd really enjoy eating bugs that much, but I'd try it if I was starving, or if I was served only that in some place; just to see what it tastes like (the "try everything once" motto).

About snakes, I'd like to try them. I've heard that they taste nice, some people say like chicken, so I'd like to see if they really do, or if all the people who say so have completely different tastebuds than me. I wouldn't really feel disgusted, because it would just be plain meat; with bugs you'd see that they are bugs; all the legs and the antenna.

I'd never ever eat cats or dogs; as several people has said before, I'd just compare them with my own lovely pets and paint a picture of a sweet, loving, wetnosed, licky dog or cat in my minds-eye. I couldn't eat that, I'd be sick!

Laws on the other hand is going a bit far. In a country where the culture of eating dogs and cats doesn't exist - like in most European countries as far as I know - there could be laws, but as Rotsiepots pointed out, in different countries and cultures there are different views on what is considered to be disgusting in terms of "eating pets" so it wouldn't be the same to them, and laws wouldn't make a difference, just like if there came a law about not eating beef in the UK or something, noone would understand.

[PhoenixUK]

I'd eat anything as long as it came with Marmite!

[A_Reck]

In April, I went on a trip to Thailand, and I was completely disgusted the first day. The eating conditions there are TERRIBLE. I realized though, that they are used to it, so it doesnt bother them. While I was there, I ate a mealworm, and it was disgusting. My dad liked it though, he thought it tasted like a pretzel. I also had the chance to eat a snake while I was there, but didnt, because I was creeped out. Eating things like that are almost a delicacy there. Also, when I went to the market, and people would be frying fish. You could see tons of bugs floating a sizzling around. To say the least, I went hungry there a couple of times. I still remember one night, me and my dad were about to go get some chow, and as we were walking in the resturant, a HUGE cocroach scuttled by. I screamed. :)

[periwinkle-blue]

I know Jews does not eat pork due to religious reason.

Muslims in Malaysia don't eat pork as well, let alone dogs and cats. Although in the al-Quran, only pig's meat are mentioned clearly as 'haram' (against the teaching of Islam), there's a few guidelines taken from different parts in the Holy book. From my learning, Muslims don't eat five kinds:
animals with fangs (usually they're predatory animals) or claws/talons (predatory birds),
scavengers (animals who eat carcass or for instance, garbages leftovers, like the crow, vultures etc),
venomous or poisonous animals (like snakes, scorpions etc)
disease-carriers animals (like pests, rats etc)
animals that can live in more than two different 'environments' (sorry, this is the best word I can find), for example, amphibians (e.g tadpoles live undewater in early phase of life, and mature as frogs (water-and-land animal)

However, it is understood that all water animals (fishes, lobsters, etc..) can be eaten.

So basically, from my personal (and religious influence) view, I'm not for eating bugs, snakes, cats, dogs, or even monkeys! In fact, it's illegal to serve that kind of 'dishes' here.

[phoenix7]

I have accidentally eaten a bug. But I would not
voluntarily do it. The gnat had flown into my drink.
I do not think anyone should eat endangered species, as you aren't supposed to kill them. As for other things, I'll eat anything that won't send me to the hospital.

[Hammi]

1)What do you think about eating bugs?
ew
2)What do you think about eating snakes?
ew
3)What do you think about eating cats?
ew
4)What do you think about eating dogs?
ew
5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)
For bugs and snakes, no, if people want to be gross that's their own problem. Cats and dogs, well, it depends, not domesticated ones, but ones raised for meat and stuff, go for it sickos

[Dark Fallen Pride]

1-4 I wouldn't eat any of these, I am vegan.
Yes I think we should have a law against eating all animals, but I don't want to force my views on everyone so I just bite my tounge in these situations.

[PhoenixUK]

1)What do you think about eating bugs?
Yum, nice and crunchy, and a good source of protein, too.

2)What do you think about eating snakes?
Delicious, slip down the throat nicely.

3)What do you think about eating cats?
Yes! Eat a cat, annoy a witch!

4)What do you think about eating dogs?
As long as it will stop the wretched things barking at night.

5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)
No! What would I eat? :lol:

[hesdead-dealwithit]

1-4

No, I sure wouldn't eat anything like that, especially the bugs - eww, the legs! Don't they tickle your throat on the way down?

5

No we shouldn't have any laws about that - goverment is powerful enough already, what with liberal bureacracy and Ashcroft interference.

[PhoenixUK]

No, I sure wouldn't eat anything like that, especially the bugs - eww, the legs! Don't they tickle your throat on the way down?

No, you've got to chew them up before you swallow.

:lol: No, this was a joke! I'd never eat any of that stuff... well, perhaps next door's dog, with it's incessant barking at night... :whistle:

[Bee]

I'm a partial vegetarian (I was a full veggie for a year but now I eat poultry and fish) but it's not because I don't want to kill animals... I just think it's kind of yucky and unhealthy. So maybe I'm a little biased.

1)What do you think about eating bugs? Sounds gross, I guess, but I think I would eat some spiders or cockroaches if I was paid (like if I was on Fear Factor, or something).
2)What do you think about eating snakes? I wouldn't be able to. I hate snakes and like to see them dead, but it would be pretty nasty!
3)What do you think about eating cats? NEVERRRR!!!!!!! I love cats and could never eat something I had as a furry friend :(
4)What do you think about eating dogs? Same as above. Sick and disturbing :(
5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices) Noooo... eat whatever you want.

[Melanie]

5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)
For bugs and snakes, no, if people want to be gross that's their own problem.

That seems pretty insensitive. There are some cultures and societies where it is perfectly normal to eat bugs and snakes. How are they being "gross"?

[Mistress Snivellus]

1)What do you think about eating bugs?

I never had a desire to eat bugs, nor do I find them appetizing (I'm a vegetarian anyway) nor did I grow up in a culture where bugs were considered acceptable cuisine - so for me personally, the idea is a bit of a turn off. ;) I had a friend who would go visit relatives in Mexico, and he told me about eating bugs, and how his family had done it since the beginning of time and that it was normal. I asked him what it tasted like, and he said "good, very crunchy" lol! So whatever floats your boat, I've got no problem with.

2)What do you think about eating snakes?

I went to a Chinese restaurant in Hawaii many years ago where snake was on the menu. It freaked me out but when I was 8 years old I had no concept that snake was considered a sort of delicacy in certain cultures. Again, for me personally, I don't think roasted lizard of any kind sounds very appetizing - but that's just me.

3 & 4)What do you think about eating cats/dogs?

Even when I did eat meat, the idea of eating a domesticated animal that is bred in my society purely for companionship, has always left a sort of ill taste in my mouth. I realize though that this is a personal feeling I have toward the subject and don't look down on other cultures that view cats and dogs as another kind of food item - just as we view domesticated farm animals like pigs, cows and chickens as a source of nourishment.

5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)

Well, I don't think we should have laws telling us what to eat, only laws that would ensure the proper preparation of such items if they were to be served in restaurants or sold in stores. And as far as dogs and cats go, there should (and are) laws in the West that prohibit people from eating animals bred to be pets. It gets a little sticky here, because what one person views as a pet, another person could view as food, so it all boils down to which particular culture is in question, as laws vary globally. There's no universal standard on what is acceptable to eat, and what is not. I personally don't think eating any of the above is gross, it's just not something I'm used to (in a cultural sense) and I have the choice not to put it on my plate. We only go by what we know and what we're used to. Escargot is a delicacy in fine French restaurants, as is sushi made of squid octopus and sea urchin -among other things some people would consider "gross." Scotland has hagis, and I hear horse meat is getting to be quite the delicacy in Japan. In the US we have meats that are made of heavily processed remnant parts of pork and beef, so that may be quite "gross" to someone from another culture who dines regularly on something we would find unpalatable. The pendulum can swing both ways here. I hope I made some sense.

[haycheng]

I am not so sure about US law. I think we are not allow to have dogs and cats here. Do you think they should change the law so that we can eat dogs and cats?

[evaluna]

I know Jews does not eat pork due to religious reason. However, their eat culture is not mainstream in US. I am interested in talking about eating things such as bugs, snakes, cats and dogs. I have not ate any of these personally. Although I do not understand why Westerners are against eating them.
Here is the question.
1)What do you think about eating bugs?
2)What do you think about eating snakes?
3)What do you think about eating cats?
4)What do you think about eating dogs?
5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)

Haycheng LOL. This is actually a great thread. Very subversive in its questioning of Western norms :clap: Heh heh. Well, if your country has local to national government support of animal shelters and animal rights, there are probably laws forbidding the eating of at least certain of those animals. Such as dogs/cats and similar. Whether for sensibilities [persons keep as pets] or health reasons [for disease prevention], or both is a good question ;)

Have not examined reasons in detail but similar to periwinkle-blue's customs stemming from religious heritage, ours probably stems in part from a blending of (1)indigenous Western food customs [the bull's testicles as someone mentioned though this exotic local fare in Spain and similar was itself linked to pre-Christian religious traditions in the ancient past] with (2) Judeo-Christian food customs [there is something on religious food rules in one of those OT books [Leviticus I think] that has tons of rules pertaining to many areas, including food, though only very select and observant persons [observant Jews, some Christian sects] follow all or most of these rules and whilst many of the rules make practical sense for maintenance health others seem purely part of the religious tradition. But at this point, certain of these things have become more social custom in the West for most [and even this social custom varies slightly], and are typically not consciously religious food choices but instead regional and individual preferences. As for myself, the food I eat chooses me and I am simply forced to go along...Now the fun part:

Going down your list...
1. Have never eaten. Father had dared me and brother repeatedly as children and boasted as how he had done so on a dare when my age. He is clearly the bigger man ;) Said when wrapped in leaf was merely crunchy, but must take his word.

Interesting: never considered whether vegetarians would consider bugs non-veggie but obviously suppose they would...Love the bit re: partial veggie [eats fish, chicken], hello! am with you on that! Tried being pure veggie [+ non-dairy, non-gluten] for ages but was forced to give up after finding basically was living on subsistence diet of beans/rice ;) Yeah, realise much of world lives on this or similar but can stunt growth as came by 5 cm & loads of energy after going off pure veggie diet...

Oh well anyway would eat bugs if starving and had roasted same to nice crisp.

2. Am disgusted to say that have eaten bite as child, again after guest brought some exotic 'gourmet treat'. Took bite after father said was chicken [in fact, does taste like chicken!]. Did not trust father to make even breakfast eggs for many years following this sleight-of-hand but secretly doublechecked him! ;) Am exceptionally tolerant of toxins but see no reason to continually tempt fate, so would tend to avoid like plague. Think this is valid reason most in West would avoid snake, as must know how to prepare. Although if truly starving and no bugs handy, suppose would attempt to consume if roasted to nice crisp, avoiding fangs & tail.

3. Cannot eat due to fact cat is currently pet and if ate, then would miss terribly + incur bad karma as pet is part of family. Now, for those in other cultures re: cats, if not held as pets and if persons are starving, cannot levy judgement but cannot bear to think on either. Though probably tastes like chicken as well, will refrain from discussion as realise am biased.

4. See #3 above.

5. No if no known health hazard and not endangered. I.e., common birds and such. If starving would likely be forced to try to eat anyway, though feel these harbour rabies, foul [fowl] disease, and similar. Cannot promise success, as stomach is weak spot. Might be forced to live on disgusting but non-fleshy grubs, bugs and similar [roasted please!]. If no cooking fire than am doomed ;) However would have others eat as they please if no harm to them and entree not endangered.
Cheers! & good topic!

[Mirtilla]

1)What do you think about eating bugs?

I have no problem with people that eating bugs however I can't bear the idea of eating bugs, I find the idea rather disgusting.

2)What do you think about eating snakes?

To me they don't sounds really appetizing, I see people eating them and fine, but I think that I couldn't eating them mostly because I found them disgusting, like the bugs.

3)What do you think about eating cats/dogs

I had a cat, now it is dead.
I couldn't eat cats/dogs mostly because they are our companionship. That's my personal view, I'm not against who eat cats/dogs, I simply couldn't see myself eating a cat or a dog.

I also don't feel the desire to eat these animals, probably because In Italy we have a very good cuisine, I prefer pizza or pasta instead of bugs and snakes. In the Italian culture we have the myth of the "good dish of spaghetti" or "pizza" and I simply don't need to eat bugs and snakes when I know my grandmother could made a superb pizza!

5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)

I don't think that we need a law that tells us what eating. everyone is freely to eat what he/she wants!

Bye

Mirtilla

[Discordia]

1)What do you think about eating bugs?
Some people eat what they can get, others eat it bc they want to so I say whatever floats your boat. I personally would never eat them unless there was nothing else
2)What do you think about eating snakes?
See above
3)What do you think about eating cats?
I'm a cat lover and I'm against the use of domesticated house animals for food.
4)What do you think about eating dogs?
See previous answer
5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices)
No, it's survival of the fittest. People eat what they can get. I would probably never eat any of the above unless my life depended on it or every other farm animal in the world had gone extinct.
I say eat what you want and eat what you can get. Just don't offer any of that stuff to me.

[Wab]

Hell I'll eat anything.

Cattle, sheep, deer, kangaroo, crocodile, pig, chickens, turkey, quail, duck, rabbit, fish, shark, crustaceans, bivalves, the odd consituents of black pudding and, no doubt, the odd rat that falls into processed meat.

I've eaten bugs and insects but never deliberately.

[Emmaleigh]

I think I'm one of the few Americans that would say, if I was offered a dog or cat, I would probably eat them. I wonder how they taste. I've eaten snails, and gator, and crabs, lobsters, squid. I don't think that it's that big of a deal to eat an animal other then a human. That's just my opinion

[thinkpink38]

What is this Fear Factor?! I wouldnt put that stuff in my mouth if you gave a MILLION bucks!! Whether it be bug, dog, cat, or snake!
All muslims dont eat pork not just at Malaysia.

[Kaonashi]

I've heard that a certain termite in Africa taste like walnuts, so I wouldn't mind having a go at those! I haven't tried snake yet but I've heard its pretty good. Eels are delicious! As for dogs and cats, well...I own one of each and wouldn't think of it.

Other than that, if it's tasty, I'll try it. Unless its an endangered species because that means with every mouthful, some creature that is on the verge of already being extinct is one creature closer to that goal. There's not a meal on earth that is worth that.

[Liselle]

*shudder* fear factor....I can't watch that without wanting to throw up!

There is no doubt that there is more of a focus on what we can and cannot eat than there was say 10 years ago.....I agree I woudn't eat bugs at all....I hate having them around me so the chances of me sitting down with them on my plate is slim to none!

I think though we should focus on fast food and its proliferation in society....its something we're all guilty of (thats why so many of us worldwide have health and weight issues and feel like ****) ~ before I get caught in a hail of owls I know this isn't the only reason for obseity! How many times do we go for the convenince factor instead of whats good for us? If the rest of you are anything like me I would say most of the time!

I feel this also has an impact on our relationships, its nice to sit down with friends and family to enjoy a meal but all this "take away" and convenience has reduced this to a rarity...we loose touch with whats happening with other people.....its the small things like taking time out to eat with those you love that make the difference!

Liselle

[Oliver Wood]

1)What do you think about eating bugs? umm...OK, but depends what kind.
2)What do you think about eating snakes? NO!!!
3)What do you think about eating cats? NO!!!
4)What do you think about eating dogs? NO!!!
5)Should we have law against eating certain things(other than toxic or endanger speices) yes...