Food is a pretty integral part of everyone’s life. This is a cross cultural phenomenon based in
biology and culture. Humans need food to
survive, and there are various different ways of acquiring food (as discussed
in this,
that,
and another
post). These aspects of food are
pretty well known, but what is still important but not as well discussed is how
food provides us insights into a person’s identity, which is the topic of this
blog post. An in-depth discussion of
food representing gender, national, regional, and social status identities will
be explored here.
Figure 1: Sex and the City was a television show that popularized the Cosmopolitan among women |
Gender is defined as the cultural meanings attached to one’s
biological sex, and these meanings are culturally contrived and varied. Part of these meanings are attached to food,
particularly what is appropriate for each gender to eat and drink. In American society is more acceptable for
women to eat salads and drink fruity alcoholic beverages than men, whereas there
is an expectation among men to eat meats and drink beer. This expectation is very much promoted in our
popular culture and visible in commercials and television shows (Figure 1).
Nationality, or one’s citizenship, is also evident in
food. There is nothing more American
than apple pie is what many of that nationality say, while kimchi is widely
associated with Koreans (Figure 2). This
same logic applies to all sorts of cultures, such as Canadians with poutine,
Germans with bratwurst, and curry with Indians.
Regional variations in cuisine also apply. For example, popular Midwest American dishes
include toasted ravioli for St. Louis (Figure 3) and deep dish pizza for
Chicago, which is why many different restaurants refer to their deep dish
pizzas as “Chicago style” pizza.
Figure 2: Kimchi is a diagnostic Asian food most often associated with Koreans |
Last but not least when it comes to food and identity are
the foods associated with social status.
There are definitely foods that one identifies as being associated with
the rich (e.g. caviar and foie gras) and those associated with the poor (e.g.
Ramen noodles and Spam). These
distinctions go so far as to affect the price of these items, as well as
cultural attitudes of individuals both within and outside of those social
status groups. Members of these groups
may elect to eat these items despite a personal distaste for them simply to
reaffirm their identity.
In conclusion, you are ultimately what you eat, both biologically
and culturally. Food very much can be an
identifier of one’s livelihood, geography, or gender. Consider how many times you may have passed
judgement on someone’s identity based on what they eat, and it becomes quite
clear that food really is part of our cultural identities.
Figure 3: Toasted Ravioli is a St. Louis favorite |
References
Welsch, R.L. & L.A.
Vivanco. (2015). Cultural Anthropology: Asking Questions About
Humanity. Oxford University Press.
39 comments:
Great article, interesting topic. I think about the implications of quality that goes along with certain brands or companies such as the "Pepsi/Coke" argument. Jiff vs Peter Pan, Kellogg's vs General Mills vs Nestle are other examples. I'd be interested to know how skewed the perception that a certain or more expensive brand is better over how much it more benefit it really has. And I feel certain aspects of this are area specific. For instance, the fruit and meat quality differs depending on both the store and the area.
Tori Spencer
Reading this article as soon as I seen the title I knew it was going to be a interesting blog. I completely agree with the phrase, "You are what you eat." It has been proven through many of different diets. Also with diets you have certain individuals that are vegetarians, and are gluten free. It has to be tough since a lot of people dont always talk to their doctors about food choices but studies of foods can help further your life into a better healthy life style.
I never thought that food was a part of my cultural identity, but after reading this post I see how it plays a huge role.
Tiffany Heavens
- I knew the saying about food which was you are what you eat but I never looked into that deeply. This makes more sense, I always thought you are what you eat was a mean joke kids told in elementary school.
I always knew food showed you alot about people but I guess I never really payed close attention to it until I came to college. Back home, in Kansas City, Missouri we are big on barbeque! We love it, we barbecue any chance we get! I didn't notice how significant it was to us until a friend from out of town said to me "Yeah, Kansas City eats a lot of BBQ don't y'all".
This is a very interesting post I never relly notices that food could tell you so about a person but this is true that St.Louis people love Toasted Ravioli.
-Monique McAllister
It only makes sense that diet is somehow connected to identity being one of the key variables that define culture. Diversity in cultures equals diversity in foods meaning a certain group of people eat certain kinda foods. quite fascinating
Although food is lighthearted and often times comedic, its interesting to think that food plays such an important part in up bringing due to culture. However, I couldn't imagine eating something I don't like just for the sake of reaffirming my social status.
Nadaniel Johnson
I didn't realize how much food can reflect a person until you go somewhere else like college and start eating at the café. I realize that people don't cook food the same way as my family would.
i did find this post very interesting that food can identify a person. and everyone food will not taste or be made just like your family
Its very interesting that its always some type of expectations that girls and boys have, and if they don't follow the gender expectations then they will get talked about or looked at different. But I didn't realize that food and drinks had so much of an effect on a person's gender role.
Dalyla Jordan
Their are so many expectations and stereotypes on women and men. It never really thought about what i eat could be apart of my identity. thats cool.
Yes, by reading this blog I definitely agree that "You are what you eat" because I feel as an African american woman with natural hair, would probably grow more healthier and longer if I were to eat foods that are healthy for me. I complain about my natural hair not growing as long or as fast as others, and others would tell me if you eat more fruits and vegetables and foods with a lot of protein in them, then your hair will be healthier, longer, and will grow fast. And I actually know this for a fact, but for some odd reason, I just CANT let fried foods go!!!!!!!!!
They say In American women are supposed to eat salads and drink fruity alcoholic beverages and men are expected to eat meats and drink beer, but truthfully I cant drink fruity drinks because they upset my stomach I personally prefer to drink beer.
Do you feel like women get judged for the food they eat while in public? Do you watch what you eat because of this sterotype?
-Daisha Benton
i learned something very new within this article, I did not know that saint Louis was known for ravioli's and i was born and raised in saint Louis
I learned that you can help tell you about a person and I also didn't know that both food and drinks can have an effect on gender role.
Ainya Lomax
It's interesting how people can be associated with the food they eat.It's evident that from reading this article that all over the world in different cities there a famous dishes that people like and are connected to. Also I learned that the status quo or the norm stereotype can impose on what we eat as well.
-Molique Taylor
Due to food being apart of our everyday life must of us overlook the fact that food is in fact a cultural part of our life. After reading this article i see where it comes into play, and it is very interesting to think about.
I agree that food does represent the culture and identity of regions across the world. Its all a trend that people/regions grew up accustomed to. Every state has their unique way of customizing their foods for taste and style. food preference also shows how much an individual cares about their health and physical appearance - Caleb McConnell
I never really thought about food being gender associated, but I guess I can see it! Salads and fruity drinks do seem a bit more feminine. I do enjoy a great big "man" steak though.
Another classification would be age. For instance, young people stereotypically drink beer and older people drink wine. There's also certain dishes that we consider "old people food" because it fell out of popularity, but the older generation continues to eat it.
Very interesting because people are associated with the food that they eat. What you grow up eating is more than likely what you will cook in your own home.
I grew up eating some Fricasé de Pollo a chicken stew my nana used to make me, and always some rice pudding to finish it off. I love how food intertwines with ones culture, playing a huge part.
Amber Barnes
Why is it that our culture associate feminine and masculine behavior based on food? Do other cultures do the same?
Lindsey Wilkerson
When it comes to different culture and food I am a huge fan. I love food and it is another way to learn and get a little taste of someone else's lifestyle and culture. I never noticed how much food is grouped just like the would is today it can vary from culture, age, gender and more.
This hit home for me when it comes to things a women drinks vs. a drink men do especially since i tend to drink darker alcohol. Also as an African American i can't relate to the notion that "people who eat ramen are poor" in my community we call things like this struggle meals.
I can recall all the times people have called me "un-American" because I do not like fried chicken, peanut butter, and sea food. How society classifies ones culture or life based on the food they eat is humerus. I am a picky eater and do not like many types of food but love foods that my body hates! It is stressful as is but to be considered "un-American" because I do not like various foods is annoying!
I never thought about the gender roles when it comes to food but now that I have read this post it is very true. I am from the state of California and when I did get to Missouri it was a big culture shock for me, people eat very differently here and have different names for food than we call it at home. I always thought that food was just food and was the same everywhere I learned otherwise when I got here
-Apre'shana Page
After reading this blog i would have never guessed that St. Louis was known for ravioli's i actually thought that New York would be the only place more so known for this food only because a big quantity of the people that live there is Italian. Then also I do feel that women are judged about what they eat in public which I find very weird everyone has their own preference on food so why should it matter on what they are digesting if you ask me I do not care what I am eating or how I think all women should think like that . - Mykia Chaney
I agree with this article, because even though you may like other foods that aren't native to you, you eat the food that's in your environment the most. That could just come from the fact that that is what we are accustomed to, or because it's just good food.
I've always wondered what that phrase meant. Now I understand how food kind of defines who we are in a way. My friend always says you can tell how person is, by the foods they eat.
This article explains to me how food is apart of my cultural identity and a real eye opener. I am from chicago and we are known for mild sauce and pizza!(yum)
This is a unique topic. It is not something that I have actually thought about but it does make sense. Especially where women choose fruity drinks vs. men drinking beer. I strongly believe that food is what brings people together. I am one who enjoys food, and at all of my gatherings we plan it around a meal time that people all chip in a bring a dish. This is a great read!
Kahla Perry
My name is Tonii Saffore. I enjoyed reading this post because it is something that I feel like we unknowingly do with cultures. I remember seeing this survey on facebook where it would guess where the person is from based on their favorite food. In this survey they actually did have a deep dish pizza as a representative as Chicago. this makes me think of some of the
Chinese food restaurants here in Jefferson City where they will ask you if you want regular rice of "St.louis style" rice.
This is very interesting because I had no idea that some things that we eat are associated with gender and culture.
I guess I never paid as much attention until I came to college because being home i never really grasped the fact of food being able to tell you something about someone based on what they eat. but it all makes sense because being here at school we are known for our Chinese food (I'm from St.Louis) and people in KC are known for their BBQ and people in Chicago are known for Harold's or like you said for their deep dish pizza. I liked this article it was informative but also because I love food.
I agree with this article a lot. I can also add on that the lack of food can also change people. If you don't eat a lot it can really mess with your body. I didn't know there was a "Chicago style pizza". Kansas City we are a big BBQ state. If you every want some BBQ go to "Gates BBQ".
-Jaden Clark
I think food does take a part in identity. If you do think about it, the more money you have the more uncommon food you eat. For example richer people do tend to eat things that you can’t commonly get at the store or a restaurant. Like rich people tend to eat or try things like caviar or white truffles. Unlike someone who is an average person who tends to eat more common food like chicken or beef, more affordable products.
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