I am going to Croatia Spring 2008 to visit with distant cousins that my grandfather found back in the early 70s. The family is from Dalmactia, which is the beautiful coast of the country. thing is, I hate seafood, and I am sure they may offer fish, is there a way to say what foods I like? and them blame my aversions on some religious code, make up a food allergy, or just shut up and eat what they throw at you, if it aint moving, it eats. What's proper?
2007-10-31 09:20:57 · 8 answers · asked by pazuzusjc 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The best thing to do would be to at least try a small bit. Also, it may be the custom that leaving food on the plate is a signal for satisfaction. It seems in my travels that the US is one of the few places where it's considered rude not to eat all the food on your plate. Most other places will give you more, or insist on you eating more, if you clean it off.
2007-10-31 09:27:11 · answer #1 · answered by Chris A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lying is wrong, so I don't recommend that. Here are two possible options:
1. If you are able to eat some, at least a little bit, then eat what you are offered. If you really can't take it, simply explain when you are offered seafood that you don't like it, and enjoy any other dishes that are served. Don't make a big deal about it or expect them to make something special for you. Just eat whatever you can.
2. Develop a taste for seafood. It seems to me that many people I know who don't like seafood don't like it because they haven't had much of it. Perhaps you live in an area where seafood isn't readily available and you haven't had much fresh seafood. Anyway, there are some fishes that are very palatable even to non seafood lovers, and you could start with those and learn to appreciate it. I think that you'll find you could like fresh, mild fish, and as your taste for fish develops you'll be more excited about trying new seafood. Seafood on a coast like in Croatia is very fresh and delicious, much better than what you just get in a supermarket. Enjoy!
2007-11-01 02:40:46 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First there is no religion to base not eating fish on. Secondly when people are allergic to seafood they are not allergic to all seafood, just some.
Croatia is not the US. Dinner time is a celebration of food and family. Especially in regard to guests. It is a time to put on a good spread, spend a bit more and things are more made from scratch. To decline this or be picky would be considered an insult on so many levels. These people are welcoming you into their home and will celebrate your kinship..... on a whole differrent level than in the US.
Just try a bit of anything served. You might be pleasantly surprised as the seafood will be entirely different. Plus as another said there will be lots of little sides. So eat the seafood and load up on sides.
The great joy of travel is all of the different foods. Just try everything here and there and stop worrying about food. This is not a tourist week in Paris...... you are visiting distant family. Try not to be a picky american tourist.
Research the food on the net. Research the history and customs. Figure out what to wear (women dress up more when going out). Leather shoes are the norm...... not tennis shoes or flip flops.
2007-11-01 11:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hm.... you should try it. Croatian seafood is great. Croatians normally when they have guest make food enough to feed a small army. If you really don't like seafood (and if they cook it it will be fish, I highly doubt they are going to make you eat shrimp, mussel or some other oyster) take a little because they get offended if you don't. They get the point but won't say any thing and next day you'll be on good all meat. If they don't there are a lot of restaurants you can feed yourself :)
And Dalmatia see cost is truly beautifully.
2007-11-01 07:54:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you can contact them before you leave and say that you aren't a great fan of sea food, I'm sure you can be accommodated. If you don't tell them, and they serve you sea food, then eat it. I've eaten worse things. I'm sure that people in Croatia don't just eat fish, and will understand if you simply say you don't like fish. They might find it odd (like saying in France "I'm a vegetarian") but I don't think they'll be offended.
2007-10-31 16:45:18 · answer #5 · answered by sashmead2001 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spring has come and gone,what way did you go.?
IT'S proper to eat the food they offer.I hope you showed them to cook fish the way you like Lt.
And it's proper to wear the clothes they request.
They are your grandparents,and need to respect
their wishes.
Phillip
2007-10-31 16:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The proper thing to do is to get over your ridiculous aversion to seafood and eat what they serve you. That's what guests do.
2007-10-31 16:23:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go for the food allergy.
2007-10-31 16:23:45 · answer #8 · answered by Tonya R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋