Culture shocks?
now aint that the truth...reckon you can smell them as well 
Nov 25th 2008, 4:56 am
#437
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,258
Re: Culture shocks?
Yeah well I don't live in the same place as you, and I was commenting personally, so I don't see how you can disagree with me. It's almost impossible to compare one place to another so I'd respectfully suggest that you don't hae a clue what you're talking about when you try and analyse the restaurants in Florida while living the other side of the country ...
Hoodlum said, generally, 'Excellent food', and you said, generally, 'you have to be kidding about the food'. Neither of you qualified your comments by location, so I was pointing out that, in major metropolitan areas, you can find excellent food. I've been here 25 years, I'm a food fanatic, and I've traveled to at least 20 states, and yes, in the South and Mid-West the food can be heavy, greasy, over-sized and lacking in variety (steaks and pork ribs seem to be the only specialties). But on the West Coast, and in the North East, the food is fabulous (and relatively inexpensive). Only in London have I found a variety and quality of food that is comparable (at maybe double the cost); God help you if you are out in the burbs - unless you can find a good Indian (Saviors of the English palate)!
Nov 25th 2008, 5:05 am
#439
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: Culture shocks?
Can't have it both ways! Hoodlum said, generally, 'Excellent food', and you said, generally, 'you have to be kidding about the food'.
Neither of you qualified your comments by location, so I was pointing out that, in major metropolitan areas, you can find excellent food. I've been here 25 years, I'm a food fanatic, and I've traveled to at least 20 states, and yes, in the South and Mid-West the food can be heavy, greasy, over-sized and lacking in variety (steaks and pork ribs seem to be the only specialties). But on the West Coast, and in the North East, the food is fabulous (and relatively inexpensive). Only in London have I found a variety and quality of food that is comparable (at maybe double the cost); God help you if you are out in the burbs - unless you can find a good Indian (Saviors of the English palate)!
Hoodlum said, generally, 'Excellent food', and you said, generally, 'you have to be kidding about the food'. Neither of you qualified your comments by location, so I was pointing out that, in major metropolitan areas, you can find excellent food. I've been here 25 years, I'm a food fanatic, and I've traveled to at least 20 states, and yes, in the South and Mid-West the food can be heavy, greasy, over-sized and lacking in variety (steaks and pork ribs seem to be the only specialties). But on the West Coast, and in the North East, the food is fabulous (and relatively inexpensive). Only in London have I found a variety and quality of food that is comparable (at maybe double the cost); God help you if you are out in the burbs - unless you can find a good Indian (Saviors of the English palate)!
Nov 25th 2008, 5:08 am
#440
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa Bay area.
Posts: 1,429
Re: Culture shocks?
Can't have it both ways! Hoodlum said, generally, 'Excellent food', and you said, generally, 'you have to be kidding about the food'.
Neither of you qualified your comments by location, so I was pointing out that, in major metropolitan areas, you can find excellent food. I've been here 25 years, I'm a food fanatic, and I've traveled to at least 20 states, and yes, in the South and Mid-West the food can be heavy, greasy, over-sized and lacking in variety (steaks and pork ribs seem to be the only specialties). But on the West Coast, and in the North East, the food is fabulous (and relatively inexpensive). Only in London have I found a variety and quality of food that is comparable (at maybe double the cost); God help you if you are out in the burbs - unless you can find a good Indian (Saviors of the English palate)!
Hoodlum said, generally, 'Excellent food', and you said, generally, 'you have to be kidding about the food'. Neither of you qualified your comments by location, so I was pointing out that, in major metropolitan areas, you can find excellent food. I've been here 25 years, I'm a food fanatic, and I've traveled to at least 20 states, and yes, in the South and Mid-West the food can be heavy, greasy, over-sized and lacking in variety (steaks and pork ribs seem to be the only specialties). But on the West Coast, and in the North East, the food is fabulous (and relatively inexpensive). Only in London have I found a variety and quality of food that is comparable (at maybe double the cost); God help you if you are out in the burbs - unless you can find a good Indian (Saviors of the English palate)!
You've been here 25 years? God help your palate. I doubt you even know what decent food is anymore.
I can find plenty of places to eat around Tampa, or maybe that isn't metropolitan enough for you?
Nov 25th 2008, 5:26 am
#445
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,258
Re: Culture shocks?
My job, and my vacation desires, take me all over the world. In addition to 20+ states in the US, I've been to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, and many countries in Europe. I just got back from a food-oriented tour of Madrid/Seville/Segovia/Toledo, and I've done likewise to Tuscany and Rome, amongst other places. You seem to be writing off US food as a whole based on your limited exposure. I would agree that many parts of the US leave a lot to be desired (as does much of the UK) but in my chosen area (the SF bay area), the food choices are outstanding; it's one of the main reasons I live here. I've found similar quality in New York and Boston.
So let me just say this - I agree with the poster who talks about the fabulous food in the Pacific Northwest, and can second that for the Bay Area, and other areas. Sadly it's not great everywhere ...
Nov 25th 2008, 5:47 am
#446
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa Bay area.
Posts: 1,429
Re: Culture shocks?
Oh my! My job, and my vacation desires, take me all over the world. In addition to 20+ states in the US, I've been to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, and many countries in Europe. I just got back from a food-oriented tour of Madrid/Seville/Segovia/Toledo, and I've done likewise to Tuscany and Rome, amongst other places.
You seem to be writing off US food as a whole based on your limited exposure. I would agree that many parts of the US leave a lot to be desired (as does much of the UK) but in my chosen area (the SF bay area), the food choices are outstanding; it's one of the main reasons I live here. I've found similar quality in New York and Boston.
So let me just say this - I agree with the poster who talks about the fabulous food in the Pacific Northwest, and can second that for the Bay Area, and other areas. Sadly it's not great everywhere ...
My job, and my vacation desires, take me all over the world. In addition to 20+ states in the US, I've been to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, and many countries in Europe. I just got back from a food-oriented tour of Madrid/Seville/Segovia/Toledo, and I've done likewise to Tuscany and Rome, amongst other places. You seem to be writing off US food as a whole based on your limited exposure. I would agree that many parts of the US leave a lot to be desired (as does much of the UK) but in my chosen area (the SF bay area), the food choices are outstanding; it's one of the main reasons I live here. I've found similar quality in New York and Boston.
So let me just say this - I agree with the poster who talks about the fabulous food in the Pacific Northwest, and can second that for the Bay Area, and other areas. Sadly it's not great everywhere ...
I've eaten Indian food in India, Thai food in Thailand, French food in France, German food in Germany, Italian food in Rome, etc etc etc, yes you get the idea I'm sure. Doesn't make me a "foodie" (even though I have a pretty discerning taste), and I don't have to be one to have an opinion of the food around where I live in the US.
So you have good restaurants there that compare to London, that's good.
Nov 25th 2008, 9:04 am
#448
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Culture shocks?
Well his mother did give me some sort of traditional Scottish cookbook - when I got to the recipe where you hung the hare for two weeks or some such, I was a teensy bit put off...
Nov 25th 2008, 9:46 am
#449
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 572
Re: Culture shocks?
I agree with Steerpike. Having lived here 30 years, been to all but 4 states, and lived in 9 of them, I like the NE best. However, good stores and resaurants can be found in most big cities. Good fresh local produce can be found at the farmers markets.
Nov 25th 2008, 9:55 am
#450
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa Bay area.
Posts: 1,429
Re: Culture shocks?
I could tell you a funny story about a mate of mine's dad who buried a brace of pheasants he'd shot for 3 weeks in the garden to give them the right taste, and then dug them up on the day just for the dinner party they were having. Apparently everyone raved over the taste of the pheasant, but needless to say he didnt reveal the secret of the recipe. lol It was a trick of his.
Now we can watch people post puke comments at the thought of it... but believe me, it's totally true.
