Tag Archives: culture

USConGen Chennai: Diplomats Sample Hand-to-Mouth Dining at Kasivinayaga Mess

August 23, 2016 By in Food, Foreign Service, India, Learning, SCA | South Central Asia, Social Media, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , ,

Posted: 2:41 am ET
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Back in 2013, we blogged about the “boodle fight” at US Embassy Manila (see US Embassy Manila Hosts a “Boodle Fight” … or Fine Dining Combat Without the Flatware).  This week, the US Consulate General Chennai posted its first video in the Madras Week video series — which highlights everyday rhythm of Madras culture, food, and traditions. The clip below shows how you eat your meal with your hands. Communal dining similar to the “boodle fight” but not quite as up close and personal (you get to have your own banana leaf as plate).

Also read Simple formula keeps this mess afloat and  The Rules For Eating With Your Hands In India, Africa And The Middle East.

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Video of the Week: “But we’re speaking Japanese” 日本語喋ってるんだけ

May 21, 2014 By in Americans Abroad, Consular Work, Realities of the FS, Video of the Week Tags: , , , , ,

— Domani Spero
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Last year, we posted a video asking “What kind of Asian are you?” (see Video of the Week: Where are you from? Where are you really from? No, where are your people really from?).  This week, the creators of that video are back with a new one called “But we’re speaking Japanese”which takes place in Japan and highlights perceptions in race and culture.  Stella Choe a non-Japanese speaking Asian American sitting at a table full of multi-cultural Japanese speakers….which confuses the waitress and…well…you just have to watch to see what happens.  The video also stars David Takeo Neptune , a caucasian who was born and raised in Japan.

 

This reminds us of a similar story overseas when a U.S. citizen came up to an embassy interview window demanding to see the consul.  Did not want to speak to an African American officer. Did not want to see an Asian American officer.  Demanded to see  the “real” American in charge of the office. So the staff got their section chief to speak to the U.S. citizen at the window.  The way we heard it told, the section chief, a Mexican American ambled over to the interview window and said, “I’m the American Consul and I’m in charge, how may I help you, sir?” Boom!
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