# I pit people who tell me I eat "strange food" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 1, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150 "2015-12-01T22:02:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cdc98d/32.png) [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogant_B_st_rd)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/1 "2015-12-01T22:02:39Z")
You know you’re from a backwards place if hummus is considered weird by some folks. I really enjoy “ethnic” food. Ethiopian. Vietnamese. Persian. You name it. But I know some people, usually family, who tell me that I eat strange food. This is very offensive for several reasons. To call ethnic food “strange” is American-centric at best and racist at worst. The world does not revolve around fries, chicken fingers, green bean cassorole, dammit. Some of the food isn’t all that different from American food. Look at falafel, for example. They are very close kin to hushpuppies, but because it is a middle-eastern food it’s “strange”. On the other hand, there are foods that are indeed very different from American food. So what? People need to have an open mind and be a little adventurous. I wish people would get their heads out their asses, and join the world. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/2 "2015-12-01T22:07:39Z")
But no plantains right? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/3 "2015-12-01T22:09:34Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > This is very offensive for several reasons. It shouldn’t be. Lighten up, Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/4 "2015-12-01T22:15:32Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > But I know some people, usually family, who tell me that I eat strange food. [You kinda do](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=766999). ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/5 "2015-12-01T22:23:22Z")
I have to chuckle at the insinuation that finding some foods “strange” is racist… ahh, God bless you first world people. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/6 "2015-12-01T22:24:29Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > You know you’re from a backwards place if hummus is considered weird by some folks. Just as long as you’re not actually eating **humus**. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/7 "2015-12-01T22:28:58Z")
My mother in law is like this. She thinks food comes out of cans dumped into pots and heated up. Anything other than that is “weird.” She stayed with us over the holidays. My wife made a big pot of oatmeal with dates, cranberries, figs, etc. in the slow cooker overnight so that people could help themselves when they got up. She said “it looked weird.” She’s like a toddler when it comes to eating. Her comfort zone is one inch wide, slathered in mayo and stuck between two pieces of Wonder Bread. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/8 "2015-12-01T22:29:43Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > You know you’re from a backwards place if hummus is considered weird by some folks. I really enjoy “ethnic” food. Ethiopian. Vietnamese. Persian. You name it. But I know some people, usually family, who tell me that I eat strange food. > > This is very offensive for several reasons. To call ethnic food “strange” is American-centric at best and racist at worst. The world does not revolve around fries, chicken fingers, green bean cassorole, dammit. Some of the food isn’t all that different from American food. Look at falafel, for example. They are very close kin to hushpuppies, but because it is a middle-eastern food it’s “strange”. On the other hand, there are foods that are indeed very different from American food. So what? People need to have an open mind and be a little adventurous. > > I wish people would get their heads out their asses, and join the world. You need to check your rich, economic, location privilege. Not everyone can afford to live in a metropolitan area with a diverse ethnic mixture to have these foods available to them. And even some who do live in such areas can not afford these foods. Why are you shaming these people? This makes you an utter asshole. Just eat your durian, shrimp, vegan “beef” “chili” and shut the fuck up. > [@madmonk28](#): > > She’s like a toddler when it comes to eating. Her comfort zone is one inch wide, slathered in mayo and stuck between two pieces of Wonder Bread. Yeah, your MIL is a right cunt. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/9 "2015-12-01T22:36:53Z")
> [@andros](#): > > It shouldn’t be. Lighten up, Francis. Sounds like you’re offended when your flaws are pointed out. Relax. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/10 "2015-12-01T22:37:06Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > … > Yeah, your MIL is a right cunt. Yup. Lot of that going around. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/11 "2015-12-01T22:38:29Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > This is very offensive Seriously? You find ignorance offensive? You should shower them with pity. If this offends you, you have no right to the username you have chosen. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/12 "2015-12-01T22:39:04Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Yeah, your MIL is a right cunt. OTOH, putting dates in oatmeal (or anything) is kinda fucked up. I mean, dates are only just barely a food. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/13 "2015-12-01T22:44:29Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Sounds like you’re offended when your flaws are pointed out. Relax. I swear to god I had something for this. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/14 "2015-12-01T22:46:24Z")
I don’t much like it when people in my neighborhood continue to goggle and jeer at my “funny-looking rustly things what’s got all them black squiggles on 'em,” even after I’ve patiently explained what books are. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/15 "2015-12-01T22:47:00Z")
Also, anyone who cooks chili with durian is a tool and IRL troll. (Wait, this is the world champeen poker player guy, isn’t it? Yeah, tool and troll. A trool, if you will.) ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/16 "2015-12-01T22:51:41Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > Look at falafel, for example. They are very close kin to hushpuppies Falafel is delicious. Hushpuppies are delicious. Ergo, this is true. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/17 "2015-12-01T23:02:05Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Also, anyone who cooks chili with durian is a tool and IRL troll. > > (Wait, this is the world champeen poker player guy, isn’t it? Yeah, tool and troll. A trool, if you will.) I was on the fence about whether he was a troll until I read that post about power chili. That was fucking hilarious. Yeah, he’s a troll, but that was some funny trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/18 "2015-12-01T23:44:48Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Falafel is delicious. Hushpuppies are delicious. Ergo, this is true. I found Hush Puppies very comfortable and good for the feet. I never considered eating them though. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/19 "2015-12-02T00:07:45Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I swear to god I had something for this. Eh, it’s OK. I don’t expect much from the PC police around here. Your lives are so hard, getting offended by things like “Happy Holidays” and “global warming is real” and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150/20 "2015-12-02T00:39:09Z")
When someone you don’t know calls you a stranger, are they implying that you’re weird or just that you’re unfamiliar to them? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-tell-me-i-eat-strange-food/739150.md?page=2)