I think this is selection bias. I know plenty of people in Asia who have plenty allergies to some degree or another (selection bias on my side as well) Hell, m

I think this is selection bias. I know plenty of people in Asia who have plenty allergies to some degree or another (selection bias on my side as well) Hell, most of hayfever season in Tokyo is a bunch of people with allergies! I think you should remember that American TV shows will use certain kinds of extreme scenarios to make a story. Lots of people who are allergic to things in a fairly benign way. And also just more generally, I think Americans will be more likely to identify that _they have a shrimp allergy_ when every time they eat shrimp they feel bad. But I know plenty of adults who just go through life and be like "I guess I feel sick every time I eat this" and not be willing to use the word "allergy".