WC-Unit 2 "Food & Culture"

“Bad Breath” (cultural metaphor)

Smith’s comparison that we do not “smell” how bad our culture might be (but others certainly can)

Silence (interpreted)

Americans=awkward & ignorant Navajo= respectful

drunkenness (behavior)

Western: loud, risk-taking, angry

Middle Eastern: chill, relaxed, sociable

National Restaurant (culture)

American: Order individually, get food fast, waiter tries to be your friend

Chinese: One person orders for everyone & meal is shared

German: Meals last longer--speed of service is not an issue, but rather the people you are with

Mormor

“Mother’s mother” (grandma in Norwegian)

Rucak

lunch, dinner (midday meal), usually the main meal of the day in Slavic villages

“spoony” dishes

food that is made for basic survival

gift economy

culture in which services or goods are given without an agreement as to a suitable payment or trade to be made in return. Instead of monetary gain, gift economies often rely on intangible rewards like a sense of contribution, community, honor or prestige.

market economy

a cultural system in which production and prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses.

sustainable

the process o fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.

extensive farming

focuses on natural systems for sustainability and employs larger tracts of land and lower quantities of labor and resources.

intensive farming

focuses on investing a lot of resources and labor into small tracts of land in order to increase yield and profitability

food as identity

the idea that food always represents a specific geography (“this is how we make spaghetti in X”)

food as survival

the idea that food is essential and many adaptations are primarily based on needs/availability

food as status

the idea that food is demonstration of wealth, affluence, taste and sophistication

food as pleasure

the idea that the texture, smell, taste (& company you keep) is meant for sensory thrill

food as community

the idea that food draws people together in a collective act of sharing experiences

food as humanity

the idea that what (& how) we eat communicates a commitment to the health and well-being of ourselves, others, and the environment

High Power Distance

People accept their rank in society regardless of unfairness \n

Low Power Distance

People work to make society as equal as possible & demand justification for inequalities of power.

Collectivism

A tightly-knit social framework in which individuals can expect their in-group to look after them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty.

Individualism

A loosely-knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take care of only themselves (& family)

Masculine

A preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success.

Feminine

A preference in society for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak and quality of life.

High Uncertainty Avoidance

cultures that maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior, and are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas.

Low Uncertainty Avoidance

cultures characterized by rejecting absolute truths and do not feel nearly as threatened by behavior and opinions different from their own.

Long Term Orientation

A societal preference for a pragmatic approach to the future--do what works to prepare a changing future.

Short Term Orientation

A societal preference to maintain time-honored traditions and norms while viewing societal change with suspicion.

Indulgence

A society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and human drives related to enjoying life and having fun.

Restraint

A society that suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms.