Originally Posted by Columbine (Post 797114)

That's why 'American' food is much harder to define. It's an indistinct creature with a polygamous background, much more so than Japan, where there are things that are distinctly Japanese. Dried bonito. Miso.

I have answered the question, but if you mean, how long could I go if I purposefully selected food stuffs solely on the grounds of they are not something I can eat in England, despite availability or social normality, possibly only a fortnight. It depends on a lot of factors.

But still, that's kind of ridiculous; and the point of why probably so many people are saying they could go some considerable time. The fact that ingredients are available, and that western ways of eating are incorporated into Japanese food anyway, makes the question moot. What happens is that people living abroad balance their eating probably in favour of 'japanese food' but with 'western' treats now and then to take the edge off. They might not revert back to a western diet, but it's mad to say that they would have to cut it out completely when there are chocolate bars and sandwiches hanging around and are a perfectly normal part of food in Japan. And carrots and chicken are carrots and chicken regardless of where you are and what you do to them.

I think provided you are happy and enjoy being adventurous with food, then there is no reason why you can't go a long time before you really start to crave home foods. That's how it is for me, anyway.

I do agree though, that people who think they could go years are probably kidding themselves. I'd say 6 months would be more realistic and actually somewhat impressive.

^^; sorry to pull things apart so much MMM, I know you only meant this to be straight-forward. Your question has certainly raised some interesting points!

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 797137)

Again. Wow. The simplest of questions becomes a quagmire of minuscule interpretations.

Originally Posted by Columbine (Post 797161)

And a fair answer and point becomes the object of snerk? Now this thread really is pointless. Shall I capitulate and just vomit up what seems like all you want to hear, seeing as discussing the question does nothing but annoy you?

O, I'm jolly sorry old bean, I dare say if deprived of the sup and brine of merrie olde england, I shouldn't last a bally week on all this foreign tush. The lack of custard upsets the British constitution, don'tcha know; makes us weep nostalgically for suet pudding and a good Eaton mess.

In fact, I must now go and wedge my head in the old gravy pan as the idea of a country absent of such wonders is giving me the vapors.

Swounds!

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 797076)

I find it very interesting that more than 50% of JF thinks they could go for years without eating food from their own culture.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 797173)

My feeling is that people that don't know any better think they can accept foreign cuisine without much thought, while those that have lived in a foreign culture understand that regardless of where you come from, the tastes from home will become a security blanket of sorts, no matter who you are.

Originally Posted by edelweiss (Post 797194)

I know it's OT but it does make me wonder, where do croquettes and tempura fall in this definition? It is said Portuguese brought them over in the 16th century. How long before an adopted food becomes a cultural food?

Originally Posted by Columbine (Post 797397)

Then we're pretty much in agreement, although I do think that it then depends on how much you -need- the security blanket of home foods because of other things going on.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 797076)

I find it very interesting that more than 50% of JF thinks they could go for years without eating food from their own culture.