It seems to me that most Chinese people regardless of their nationalities seem to put food first rather than other needs. Of course food is important, but the Chinese seem to put an extra not-really-neccesary importance to food. Why is this so?
This is not a racist question. I know not all Chinese people are like that, but the majority of them are. In fact, I myself have Chinese blood and I have relatives who are like that.
2006-11-29 18:32:46 · 14 answers · asked by T Delfino 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
But the extent of them doing it is shocking. Like this family dinner I went for, they just finished dinner, and they're discussing about what they should have for supper!
2006-11-29 18:39:00 · update #1
I am Chinese Malaysian.
2006-11-29 18:41:27 · update #2
Yes, and they greet each other by asking "Have you eaten or not?"
2006-11-29 18:50:59 · update #3
You realize how grossly overpopulated China and Taiwan are, right...? Well, back then, they didn't exactly have a lot of money. Most were destitute families who had too many kids because they figured they'd get the extra hands for help. They obviously had to feed them, and that's where the importance on food is placed. They were always told to finish all their food... sometimes, they were told to not drink water at all so that they had enough room in their stomach for all the food. THEN, they could drink (what my mom told me... yes, I Asian if you can't tell from my avatar). Food wasted in that time was a really bad thing to them... and that's carried on for a long time, especially in places like China where there are still very poor people.
You may not get this because you grew up in the US (assuming) where you were adequately fed and didn't have to worry about such things. It may be unnecessary in your opinion, but for them, it was way different.
By the way, this whole placing importance on food is applicable mostly to the older generation, not usually the ones here. I was always fed properly, and I was born here, sooo...
2006-11-29 18:39:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mainly in north China this is true, they like to experience many different food. I was told this was true because there isn't much else to do in the cold northern parts.
Having lived in China I can tell you that their portion sizes are much smaller than ours in the United States. Rarely do I see a fat Chinese person. Chinese would rather have a little good food than a lot of a bad food.
2006-11-29 18:39:42 · answer #2 · answered by lily 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hi there there!! look at the internet web site less than - a large style of the foodstuff look yummy!! :-D actual chinese huh?? properly... chinese delicacies is diverse in diverse areas - like Hunan delicacies is warm and exceedingly spiced and Cantonese is truly bland... the North jap or Manchurian dishes are depending on preserved meals at the same time as the Szechuan or Sichuan delicacies makes use of a dried bean and chilli pastes... have exciting exploring - the chopsuey and the egg rolls or the foo yung is hardly chinese - :-) attempt some roast peking duck or some siu mai - thats in the direction of the genuine ingredient!!
2016-10-08 00:01:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because food is so important to survival and because food is one of the few things that everyone knows how to enjoy. Other things, such as sports, etc. have more limited appeal, but food has a wide appeal to everyone. Plus, the Chinese take a lot of cultural pride in its diverse cuisine which often holds a lot of symbolic and cultural meaning.
2006-11-29 19:41:25 · answer #4 · answered by Truth Seeker 576 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am a chinese brit but i for one don't consider food to be top of my agenda. its important yes, but not more important than the other things that i have in my life, family, friends, having a good education. though as to the question why many chinese families see food as being important, is well, its part of their- and speaking as chinese person myself our culture as well. we are renowned across the world for many things, not just food. what about kung fu films, and stars such as bruce lee and jackie chan? and besides, a lot of people around the world, particuarly those based in the uk like the food chinese people serve in their restaurants. i'm not being disrespectful and please, don't be offended but not all of us care only about food. we care about other things too.
2006-11-30 00:16:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As the greatest nation, the Chinese has learnt that food is the greatest source of economy.
Not just food, but almost everything.
2006-11-29 18:43:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im chinese, and its always a big emphasis especialy for big family dinners, or special guests, etc. i think its just a big part of the culture. chinese people really like to invest a lot of time and effort into their food.
in addition, a common way of greeting someone is saying, "have you eaten yet?"
2006-11-29 18:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
why do people think if they throw out an obligitory "this is not a racist question" or "im not a racist but.." that it clears them of any crime they are about to commit?
I think they place a lot of importance around food because its a very social thing for them..its a chance to bond and socialise
i think if you look around though you will find other culturers who place a similar importance on social family meals..like italians
2006-11-29 18:36:59 · answer #8 · answered by Bazil 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not only Chinese , its EVERYONE.... You are a Malaysian and you should know about all those mamak stalls that are open all day... Its food you are talking about and it is one of the basic needs of life...
2006-11-29 19:52:53 · answer #9 · answered by malani_rsmann 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Vietnam is not far from China. There they have a saying that runs as: "In Food as in Death, we feel the essential brotherhood of Man."
2006-11-29 18:37:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋