There are some exotic foods we tend to take for granted exist. Almost every city for example has a Chinese restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, and maybe an Outback Steakhouse. But this isn’t universal for some reason. Someone asked me if I wanted to go to an Egyptian restaurant and I was like “wait, they have restaurants?”
A question for all those who would say they consider themselves ethnically fluent. What are all the cultural categories of food you’ve had?
Okay I won’t hold it against you because I grew up Midwestern and to us Mexican and Chinese were considered “ethnic”, but do realize that that is a very weird thing to just say. Now that I’m on the coast should I call tuna casserole or taco/breakfast food ethnic? Sounds weird right?
Next time you think ethnic food may be instead think of it like non-american food. To us, green bean casserole is a “normal” thing, to other people having a noodle dish is an appropriate normal holiday dish. “Normal” and “different” are all just from our point of view.
That’s why you’re being downvote, because you’re on a world stage here, and when you’re talking to someone and calling their food “ethnic” it demeans their culture, and that is a bit insulting. I am guessing it’s just ignorance, but hey now you know.
That being said, have fun exploring your pallette! I’ve lost count of the different cuisines I’ve tried, but every one is a bit different! Never be afraid of trying new things!
I say “ethnic” as in “ethnicity”, and as in “of or belonging to a population group or subgroup made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent”, which is what the dictionary says. If that’s offensive, it’s the first time I’ve heard that before, having seen it used by official sources. As I explain, I’m grateful for whatever verbal successes I do have because English is not my first language, but I see the land of ten thousand instances which believes in things in terms of a world stage won’t even accommodate.