Culture and food have been representing civilizations ever since they came into existence. Curiously, the people who are part of it don’t really appreciate it when someone does something against their culture. And it’s pretty universal, if you think.
I’m sure that anyone speaking badly about gladiator fights would offend ancient Romans, just like anyone speaking badly about cricket offends Indians right now. So, when Americans were asked, “What is the American equivalent to breaking spaghetti in front of Italians?” they instantly voiced their thoughts. We have compiled some of the best ones for you, just scroll down and see!
More info: Reddit
#1
Putting the knife covered in peanut butter in the jar of jelly or jam.
#2
There was a guy on TikTok visiting from the UK and they went to a Mexican restaurant and poured the salsa over the chips in the basket. That did me in.
#3
I watched a guy from NJ roll a NY style pizza from tip to crust and eat it like a burrito. I saw a NY guy watch that, and I saw his soul leave his body that day.
I don’t know about you, but while scrolling through the list, I realized that food and culture are literally like inseparable besties. Even though I am somewhat of a foodie, who can understand food better than a chef? That’s why Weinterviewed Sakshi Kulkarni, a chef at the 5-star restaurantSoho Housein Mumbai.
She mentioned that she has learned about and loves to cook food from all types of cuisines. Whether it be Indian, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, or American, she has tried her hand at all, and expressed that food is intricately related to the culture of that country. It’s so much more than just fuel for our body; rather, it tells the tale of our heritage, history, and what truly makes us us, Sakshi expressed.
“In some cultures, food is also tied to pride. So when someone messes with how that food is ‘supposed’ to be made or eaten (like breaking spaghetti in half before boiling it), it’s not just about the food. It’s about what that action represents,” she added.
#4
Raisins in the potato salad, at least to some.
#5
Cooking a steak well done.
#6
Ketchup and mustard belong on hot dogs. It’s the norm in the south. Fight me.
Sakshi elaborated that in a lot of cuisines, there are really specific ways things are done. Not just because it tastes better that way, but because those methods have been passed down for generations, she said.
“Grandma did it that way, her grandma did it that way, and so on. So when someone comes along and does something totally different, especially if they act like it’s better, or if they don’t seem to care, it can feel like they’re ignoring or disrespecting that whole history,” she noted.
Also, Sakshi believes that some of these food violations reinforce stereotypes or just get things totally wrong. She gave an example of when people dump pineapple on everything and call it “Hawaiian,” or they mash random stuff into “fusion” dishes without understanding the originals. As per her, it can feel like people are making a cartoon version of a culture’s food instead of actually appreciating it.
#7
Apparently it’s common in the UK to drink instant coffee. The way they feel about heating up water for tea in a microwave is the way I feel about their instant coffee.
#8
Warm soda no ice.
#9
Ketchup on Pizza, I saw this in Mexico & was floorredddd.
Our expert also narrated that sometimes, food customs are like unspoken rules in a community, and doing things a certain way, like how you eat, when you eat, and what you eat, is part of fitting in. She said that when someone breaks those rules, even if it’s harmless, it can come across like they’re clueless or not making an effort to understand.
“At the end of the day, people usually aren’t offended just because you broke pasta or added ketchup to something you shouldn’t. What really bothers them is what it seems to say that their culture, their traditions, maybe even their identity, don’t matter to you.”
“Of course, if you’re doing it out of convenience or because you just didn’t know, most people aren’t going to flip out. Intent does matter. But still, making a little effort to understand and respect food traditions goes a long way. It shows you care. And honestly, that’s what people really want,” Sakshi explained.
#10
America has a lot of different regional foods, but as an east coast guy, a cheesesteak is a really simple “dish” composed of shredded up steak with melted cheese on a hoagie roll. It’s so simple I did not think it could be f****d up.
Then I traveled some. Wow, I was f*****g wrong. I have seen a cheesesteak made in every wrong combination it possibly could be, but the worst was ordering a “Philadelphia Cheese Steak” on a cruise ship and getting an actual steak with a slice of cheese melted onto it. I was completely flabbergasted.
#11
Eating a hot dog in a bun from the side instead of the end.
#12
I once watched in horror as my bothers trailer park GF put ketchup on top of a $50 Filet Mignon. When she asked the waiter for ketchup he looked concerned.
Having said all of that, Sakshi also stressed that everyone has their own style and preference for cooking and eating food. She is sure that just as she is displeased by some things that other people do, similarly, they might also not like the way she cooks or eats something.
“And that’s perfectly fine, too. The food police can frown all they want, but if that’s what makes you comfortable, you do it that way. Just keep in mind that you don’t do it purposely to offend them. I mean, don’t go looking for trouble by purposely breaking pasta under the nose of an Italian who already takes too much pride in their food,” she summed up.
#13
Squashing all the juice out of the steak with the turner while it’s on the grill.
#14
Eating chicken wings (the quintessential American party food), but leaving a bunch of meat between the two bones of those flat pieces as you discard the bones.
**EDIT:** No, actually, not eating chicken wings badly.
Putting a cast iron pan into the dishwasher. Eating chicken wings incompetently will get you dirty looks, the second one will get you written out of grandpa’s will.
#15
Pouring milk before the cereal.
Spoken like a true chef, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway, folks. That’s it from our end of the rope, as we hand things over to you. Americans (or rather anyone), feel free to share what food violations offend you. Just leave them in the comments. Also, don’t forget to upvote your favorites from this list!
#16
Beer with ice.
#17
Man, judging by these comments many Americans would be furious that I eat chips out of a bag with a spoon…
#18
Ketchup on your prime rib!
#19
Taking a bite out of a KitKat bar instead of breaking into pieces.
#20
In some BBQ places, using a fork and knife to eat ribs.
#21
Breaking spaghetti in front of italian-americans.
#22
Eating a burger with a fork and a knife. Especially a fast food burger.
#23
Microwaving a steak and calling it ‘well done.’.
#24
Mixing bourbon of decent quality with soda.
#25
Whatever those S’mores were on Great British Bake-Off.
And: ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago.
#26
Lo-fat cheese cheese curds.
#27
No ice in room temp water at a restaurant.
#28
Eating a slice of greasy fast food pizza with a knife and fork.
#29
Calling a bacon egg and cheese an egg bacon and cheese.
#30
Italians cutting pizza with scissors.