Why do they ask this?

dwacon said:

My buddy and I had Pho for lunch and stopped by the Asian Market near the
restaurant. When I purchased some "water spinach" the cashier asked, "Do
you know how to eat this?" I said, "Yeah, I put it in my mouth and chew it
up."

Eric thought it was hilarious -- because we get those questions everytime we
purchase food items from any Asian market.

What is up with that?

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm pretty
sure they're trying to be helpful, rather than insulting. At least you
know they'll be open to your questions when you do have some. 🙂

Carol

--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

dwacon <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:NW%ye.149086$sy6.115100@lakeread04...

Quoted message said:

My buddy and I had Pho for lunch and stopped by the Asian
Market near the restaurant. When I purchased some "water
spinach" the cashier asked, "Do you know how to eat this?"
I said, "Yeah, I put it in my mouth and chew it up."

Eric thought it was hilarious -- because we get those questions
everytime we purchase food items from any Asian market.

What is up with that?

Because enough round-eyes don't know and don't ask out of fear and
ignorance. Be happy that the cashier was concerned enough to ask. Of
course, the next time you buy something and are too ignorant and scared
to ask, she'll know not to offer.

The Ranger

dwacon said:

My buddy and I had Pho for lunch and stopped by the Asian Market near the
restaurant. When I purchased some "water spinach" the cashier asked, "Do
you know how to eat this?" I said, "Yeah, I put it in my mouth and chew

it

Quoted message said:

up."

With those Asian greens, just treat 'em like regular greens, e.g. stir - fry
'em, etc. Can't go wrong...

Quoted message said:

Eric thought it was hilarious -- because we get those questions everytime

we

Quoted message said:

purchase food items from any Asian market.

What is up with that?

They just want to make sure you know what you are "getting into" I guess...

One time at a Viet grocery I bought some kind of "fish sauce", it had pieces
of fish in it. It was cheap, thought I'd try it for a lark. The cashier
warned me against it, saying, "You know, you won't like this...".

She was true to her word. I opened it up and, "WHEW!", it stank like hell.
I'm used to some odd Asian things, but this was truly gross.

There are Thai restaurants here in Chicago (and elsewhere) that have one
menu for the "general" public (read "Americans"😉 and another menu for Thai
folks. Some Chinese places do this, too. The "native" menus have things
that are not all *that* radically different, but I guess they think there
are things we "round eyes" won't care for. Someone on a Chicago food board
makes a hobby of translating these "secret" Thai and Chinese menus...

I've been to Chinatown restos with Chinese people, they don't even bother
with menus, they simply tell the staff, "Bring us what's good". Interesting
experience...if you are "American" you won't be offered the same stuff.

--
Best
Greg

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm pretty
sure they're trying to be helpful, rather than insulting. At least you
know they'll be open to your questions when you do have some. 🙂

Carol

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before? I know some people are more
adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine just buying something and
having no idea what it's suppose to taste like or how to prepare it.

djs0302 said:

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before? I know some people are more
adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine just buying something and
having no idea what it's suppose to taste like or how to prepare it.

Well gee! ....it sucks to be you!

nb

"djs0302" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before? I know some people are more
adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine just buying something and
having no idea what it's suppose to taste like or how to prepare it.

You must still be eating baby food in your very dull life. I like to
experiment and try new things. You ask or read or otherwise find out how to
prepare what you bought.

dwacon said:

My buddy and I had Pho for lunch and stopped by the Asian Market near the
restaurant. When I purchased some "water spinach" the cashier asked, "Do
you know how to eat this?" I said, "Yeah, I put it in my mouth and chew it
up."

Eric thought it was hilarious -- because we get those questions everytime we
purchase food items from any Asian market.

What is up with that?

In GA it seems every time I bought red cabbage, some old German woman
would stop me as I selected one and ask "Do you know how to cook this".
I'd always reply, "How?" and get treated to 15 minutes on how one cooks
cabbage. I suppose they figured 'Mericans would have no clue how to use
it and felt compelled to help out. I always listened since I figured
that they had some sort of need to be helpful and share their recipes.

( I was shopping at the military commissary so there were always lots
of women from foreign countries ie GI brides)

Sometimes people just wanna be helpful.

djs0302 <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many
people buy things without having a clue what they are
or what to do with them.

Quoted message said:

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy
something they've never heard of before?

There are lots of people that shop impulsively, walking the aisles of
stores, and reacting to different packaging or whatnot... Go into an
ethnic grocery some time. You'll see things that are sold there that the
mainstream groceries won't carry.

Quoted message said:

I can't imagine just buying something and having no idea
what it's suppose to taste like or how to prepare it.

"<sigh> And that is why you fail."

Explore the world beyond steak-and-potatoes, Wonderbread, and Oscar
Meyer Bologna. You'll be truly amazed at what opens up to you.

The Ranger

"The Ranger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

dwacon <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:NW%ye.149086$sy6.115100@lakeread04...

Quoted message said:

My buddy and I had Pho for lunch and stopped by the Asian
Market near the restaurant. When I purchased some "water
spinach" the cashier asked, "Do you know how to eat this?"
I said, "Yeah, I put it in my mouth and chew it up."

Eric thought it was hilarious -- because we get those questions
everytime we purchase food items from any Asian market.

What is up with that?

Because enough round-eyes don't know and don't ask out of fear and
ignorance. Be happy that the cashier was concerned enough to ask. Of
course, the next time you buy something and are too ignorant and scared
to ask, she'll know not to offer.

I can understand no one can tell by looking at me that I lived in Asia for a
long time... but I am never scared to ask questions... especially if the
stock clerk or cashier is a cute young woman.

--
For Lovers Only
http://tinyurl.com/8emny

---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 0527-1, 07/07/2005
Tested on: 7/7/2005 4:17:35 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com

" dwacon" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:x5gze.149150$sy6.30131@lakeread04:

Quoted message said:

I can understand no one can tell by looking at me that I lived in Asia
for a long time... but I am never scared to ask questions...
especially if the stock clerk or cashier is a cute young woman.

.... nevermind

--
Andy
http://tinyurl.com/bczgr

"djs0302" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm pretty
sure they're trying to be helpful, rather than insulting. At least you
know they'll be open to your questions when you do have some. 🙂

Carol

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before?

This idiot!

What a dull life you must lead.

Dimitri

"Dimitri" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"djs0302" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before?

This idiot!

What a dull life you must lead.

(laugh) I think I'm probably *the* least adventurous eater on rfc
and even I do that. How else would I know that a pomelo is just
a small grapefruit in the middle of this really thick skin?

Unless I'm shopping strictly from a list, I always look around to
see what I'm missing and try something new.

nancy

djs0302 said:

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm
pretty sure they're trying to be helpful, rather than insulting. At
least you know they'll be open to your questions when you do have
some. 🙂

Carol

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before? I know some people are more
adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine just buying something and
having no idea what it's suppose to taste like or how to prepare it.

We get posts here all the time, usually along the lines of "I bought [censored] and
am having company for dinner in 4 hours. I need to know how to prepare
this!" It's the having company part that is silly if you've never prepared
a particular dish/item before. And then, of course, everyone here is
expected to jump in and save the day in time for the guests to arrive.

Jill

In article <[email hidden]>,

Nancy Young said:

(laugh) I think I'm probably *the* least adventurous eater on rfc
and even I do that. How else would I know that a pomelo is just
a small grapefruit in the middle of this really thick skin?

But it is so much tastier than regular grapefruit, even ruby red! 🙂

Regards,
Ranee

Remove do not & spam to e-mail me.

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
http://talesfromthekitchen.blogspot.com/

In article <[email hidden]>,

djs0302 said:

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm pretty
Carol

Quoted message said:

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before?

Idiot? Cripes, that's a pretty harsh word for a curious person.

Quoted message said:

I know some people are more adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine
just buying something and having no idea what it's suppose to taste
like or how to prepare it.

Fine, but don't brand as 'idiot' one who *is* more open to an adventure.
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> 7/01/05 Sam I Am!

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

djs0302 said:

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm pretty
Carol

Quoted message said:

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before?

Idiot? Cripes, that's a pretty harsh word for a curious person.

Quoted message said:

I know some people are more adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine
just buying something and having no idea what it's suppose to taste
like or how to prepare it.

Fine, but don't brand as 'idiot' one who *is* more open to an adventure.

Agreed... buying new foods to try is often the highlight of my shopping
trips... eating the same-old all the time is BOREing.

I mean even trying a new shape pasta can be interesting... and if
nothing else I make it a point to check out all the ethnic food
sections for something that looks promising... discovered quite a few
favorites that way... yeah, I'll blow a whole three bucks on some
obscure sauce, chutney, jam. Yeah, sometimes that imported mustard
sucks but I end up with a cute jar.

Lately I've been checking out the frozen veggies section... I've found
a few blends that are excellent... Birdeye has some great new ones,
even contains the stir fry sauce packets.... haven't even stir fried
them yet as they are so good just nuked.

Sheldon

djs0302 said:

Damsel said:

They've probably learned from experience that many people buy things
without having a clue what they are or what to do with them. I'm pretty
sure they're trying to be helpful, rather than insulting. At least you
know they'll be open to your questions when you do have some. 🙂

Carol

Well what kind of idiot would go into a market and buy something
they've never heard of before?

Um, me.

Quoted message said:

I know some people are more
adventurous, but not me. I can't imagine just buying something and
having no idea what it's suppose to taste like or how to prepare it.

Sometimes we are our own best limit-setters.

Pastorio

dwacon said:

My buddy and I had Pho for lunch and stopped by the Asian Market near the
restaurant. When I purchased some "water spinach" the cashier asked, "Do
you know how to eat this?" I said, "Yeah, I put it in my mouth and chew it
up."

Eric thought it was hilarious -- because we get those questions everytime we
purchase food items from any Asian market.

What is up with that?

Well it's better than the first time I went into the Asian market in
the town were I grew up, and when I asked the lady at the checkout a
question about the item I was purchasing, she reacted like I was
being racist by assuming that *she* might know something about the jar
of horseradish- I was so embarrassed! I know it's silly but I felt
like I'd committed a giant faux-pas by assuming an (incidentally Asian
but that's not the point) person WHO WORKS IN AN ASIAN GROCERY might
know, geez! So I'm still grateful for a hint that it's ok to ask
questions, recovering from that trauma 15 years later!

Hope

In article <[email hidden]>,
"Sheldon" <[email hidden]> wrote:
(snip)

Quoted message said:

Yeah, sometimes that imported mustard
sucks but I end up with a cute jar.

LOL!! I can't *bear* to throw out the crocks that some mustards have
come to me in.

Quoted message said:

Lately I've been checking out the frozen veggies section... I've found
a few blends that are excellent... Birdeye has some great new ones,
Sheldon

Ferinstance? I just can't get into those. Or haven't.
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> 7/7/05 Family Reunion
and Part II of the Birthday Report