I just got back from a business trip to France and the guys at the client were eating horse meat for dinner. What would you do in this situation? I've never ate a horse but they kept saying it was tasty and I didn't know what to say. My fam owns a few and I have always treated them as pets.
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First of all, horse meat is not wild game. Game refers to animals hunted for sport or for food - horses are processed in the same fashion as cattle.
In the same manner that eating pork or beef is taboo in some countries, I think it would be perfectly within reason to respectfully refrain from eating things that quite frankly are taboo in the US.
Americans have very uncultured palates, for the most part. What in the world would make them think that you'd be offended? Go to Italy, and order some prosciutto. They cut it right off the pig's leg.
People are biologically programmed to eat other animals and to be repulsed by the idea of eating each other. In my opinion, it's strange to empathize with animals enough that you won't eat them.
That said, you don't have to eat what you don't want to (unless this was a home-cooked meal...then I think we'd all agree it's rude to refuse).
My grandfather said that when he would spend time with clients in China and Taiwan (mind you, this goes back to the 70s), it wouldn't be unusual for them to take him to a snake restaurant.
well, i refrained, but i must admit i was still a little disgusted that they didn't have the courtesy to not eat that in front of me. has anyone been to business dinners in asia and had them eat cats or dogs?
I've only been to Hong Kong, where I am fairly certain that dog meat is illegal (since this was put in place during British rule). Not sure how I'd react on the mainland though...
And horse meat is not "taboo" in the U.S. You can find it at more than a few butcher shops.
First of all, the appearance of horse meat in "more than a few butcher shops" would in no way, shape or form prove that horse meat is not taboo.
Secondly, and more importantly, you are incorrect; no horse meat is sold in the United States (since any domestic sale of horse meat is illegal).
is it common for people in asia or europe to eat guinea pigs?
Doesn't mean it doesn't happen....pot's illegal, and you can probably find at least a dozen pot dealers around Washington Square Park. Not now, because they closed the stupid park, but when it used to be open.
Maybe not openly and notoriously, but it probably happens underground someplace.
"We are lawyers! We sue people! Occasionally, we get aggressive and garnish wages, but WE DO NOT ABDUCT!" -Boston Legal-
It probably is sold SOMEWHERE. Anything is possible. But why would anyone want to buy it? Horse probably tastes very gamey (even though not a "game" animal) because they are very active and have little fat relative to anything farm-raised.
Also, if it were indeed sold "underground," it would have to be relatively expensive. Cocaine dealing middle men make 5000% profit because of the risk inherent in moving it, plus the relative scarcity of it.
Horse meat "underground" would be scarce, have little demand, and have many tastier substitute goods available.
Since there is probably not a very high profit margin on this shit...I don't see why anyone would be in the business of buying horse meat (or what kind of utility a buyer would get out of it).
Basically, horse meat is definitely taboo.
Lord, I'm wasted.
"i was still a little disgusted that they didn't have the courtesy to not eat that in front of me"
How about we flip it around.. Im a little disgusted that you presume that you as a guest should dictate what is acceptable food in your clients own home country. Learn to accept that local customs and cultures are different.
Horse meat is also common among French Canadians in Quebec. Some cultures like the US have assigned emotional importance to animals like horses - treating them more as family members than as animals. But remember, this is a social custom. It's hard to make an argument why eating horse meat is wrong but eating beef is ok. It's all socialization.
what's next? should we put sparky the golden retriever on the grill tonight and eat him for dinner?
Nah, I prefer german shepherd.
If I looked a bit pale when I was a kid, I was served horse meat. It's decent, I like it. All horses when they are too old to do much are sent to the butcher, maximizing their utility. Duck is good too, I had some turtle in south america and some crocodile, great stuff.
It doesn't come as a surprise to me that as an American you might be shocked by horse meat. My roomate in college was shocked that I ate apples that I had picked up in my garden at home. They weren't treated, thus smelled like apples, but the unprocessed product was too strange compared to his disgusting mac and cheese.
Remember, you will always be a salesman, no matter how fancy your title is. - My ex girlfriend
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