3 ms·

>I suspect they are? I mean, if they weren't showing up then the restaurant would be out of business, no? Sorry, I was under the impression that he's talking a

by ue_ 9y ago

>I suspect they are? I mean, if they weren't showing up then the restaurant would be out of business, no? Sorry, I was under the impression that he's talking about the Michelin rating people showing up and telling them how good or bad his food is rather than simply visiting and writing a guide which contains his restaurant. I can understand the pressure of being on the list and maintaining one's position, but there's no reason why he couldn't let that slip; being lower on the list is better than not being on the list at all in terms of prestige, so he obviously doesn't care much what a "foreign" guide writes about him. The idea that only Japanese people can judge Japanese food seems to me very xenophobic; if that wasn't his intention then he should have spoken in general rather than targeting "foreigners".

KGIII 9y ago
English may not be his native language and I'm just speculating. To me, it read more about the pressures exerted and the desire to not have to conform to an ideal presented by people who aren't members of the same culture. I'm not sure that qualifies as xenophobic, or even a bad thing. Should a Mexican restaurant be pressured into serving food that is more acceptable to the Canadian palate? (Pressured, not forced.) From what I've read, and a documentary, it's pretty high stress to meet the expectations and to do things in a certain manner. I can understand the desire to get out from under that. By foreigners, it may mean, 'not my usual customers.' So, I'm not sure if that's really xenophobic. I'm not seeing any fear involved, just displeasure about external pressures.
- dahauns 9y ago
  No. 'Foreigners' very likely simply means 'foreigners' here. Japanese society is incredibly xenophobic and has quite well-known problems with casual, socially accepted racism. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2015/11/01/issues/tackle-embedded-racism-chokes-japan/ https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2015/11/01/issues/tac... (Just a single example - but quick googling should you countless more from reputable sources)
- etplayer 9y ago
  >So, I'm not sure if that's really xenophobic. A little nitpick, but "-phobia" suffix does not strictly mean fear, though that is its origin. It can also mean hatred. >Should a Mexican restaurant be pressured into serving food that is more acceptable to the Canadian palate? (Pressured, not forced.) No? I never said that; he shouldn't be pressured, but merely the act of serving foreigners or having his restaurant listed is not pressure to change -- in fact, if he changed, wouldn't that defeat the whole point of the rating system? He was rated on the Japanese food he serves, not the Canadian food.
ebfd 9y ago
Maybe he believes that Japanese people are better judges on average. Traits about populations that concern <100% of their members can still hold utility.

by ue_ 9y ago

KGIII 9y ago

English may not be his native language and I'm just speculating. To me, it read more about the pressures exerted and the desire to not have to conform to an ideal presented by people who aren't members of the same culture. I'm not sure that qualifies as xenophobic, or even a bad thing. Should a Mexican restaurant be pressured into serving food that is more acceptable to the Canadian palate? (Pressured, not forced.) From what I've read, and a documentary, it's pretty high stress to meet the expectations and to do things in a certain manner. I can understand the desire to get out from under that. By foreigners, it may mean, 'not my usual customers.' So, I'm not sure if that's really xenophobic. I'm not seeing any fear involved, just displeasure about external pressures.

dahauns 9y ago
No. 'Foreigners' very likely simply means 'foreigners' here. Japanese society is incredibly xenophobic and has quite well-known problems with casual, socially accepted racism. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2015/11/01/issues/tackle-embedded-racism-chokes-japan/ https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2015/11/01/issues/tac... (Just a single example - but quick googling should you countless more from reputable sources)
etplayer 9y ago
>So, I'm not sure if that's really xenophobic. A little nitpick, but "-phobia" suffix does not strictly mean fear, though that is its origin. It can also mean hatred. >Should a Mexican restaurant be pressured into serving food that is more acceptable to the Canadian palate? (Pressured, not forced.) No? I never said that; he shouldn't be pressured, but merely the act of serving foreigners or having his restaurant listed is not pressure to change -- in fact, if he changed, wouldn't that defeat the whole point of the rating system? He was rated on the Japanese food he serves, not the Canadian food.

ebfd 9y ago

Maybe he believes that Japanese people are better judges on average. Traits about populations that concern <100% of their members can still hold utility.