This unit, I found a question from the reading guide very interesting: “What happens to an individual element of complex foodways when it is divorced from the surrounding culture, society, practices, etc.? For instance, is a Taco Bell taco eaten in Toronto still a taco? Still part of a foodways?”
When a Canadian or American person eats a taco from Taco Bell, it will not mean the same that it would for an Indigenous person from Mexico as this has not been part of their foodways for hundreds of years. I don’t think that this is a bad thing. This is a result of globalization, which has brought attention to different food items we wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to. Continuing with the taco example, it is a well-known fact that tacos are a Mexican specialty, and that tacos from Taco Bell are nowhere near as good as the ones you can eat if you travel to Mexico. Big chains such as Taco Bell have “americanized” tacos but again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. They have modified a food item into something targeted towards their American consumers. Taco Bell isn’t claiming they sell the best, most “aunthentic” tacos.
I believe that knowing the origin of a food item does not divorce it from its culture. The fact that tacos are inherently Mexican will remain unchanged.
I find the concept of foodways hard to apply to non-Indigenous people. As discussed in Belasco’s text from last week, as consumers we have removed ourselves from the food-making process, which means that the food we consume is not part of our foodways, as it is not involved in our beliefs and behaviors like it can be for Indigenous People.
So, a taco eaten in Toronto is not part of a foodways. Is that bad? I don’t believe so.
Excellent nuanced reflection, Camila. Your observation that, in some cultures, the concept of “foodways” (with the connections to beliefs, ancestry, livelihood, etc.) may not exist is astute. For the record, I also don’t think tacos outside of Mexico are a bad thing! It is interesting to consider how the taco shifts meaning depending on who is eating it and where… Thanks for participating in the thought experiment proposed at the end of the lecture.
I’ve been watching The Taco Chronicles on Netflix lately, and I have learned so much about tacos from Mexican chefs, scholars, and regular people. Sometimes terms like “globalization” get a bad rap, but globalization also means we get to learn about el taco de suadero through mass media (and eat a delicious Mexican taco at Chancho Tortilleria in downtown Vancouver!) 🙂
Hi Camila, good idea to take a question from the reading guide, I liked your response to it. Like Tamara, I was also going to mention The Taco Chronicles. I think that “real” versions of foods like tacos have a place alongside “imitations”: I have no shame in admitting that I love both an Old El Paso taco and a taco from Los Amigos on Davie. Also, I think that with the re-emergence of cooking as something seen in a positive light, people have a newfound admiration and respect for foods that may usually not hold much space in conversations other than asking whether others want to order it in. There is a respect for the traditional that will not dissipate (especially considering Mexican cuisine is designated as a cultural treasure by UNESCO). I agree with what you say about what I’ll call the “legitimacy capital” of hugely globalized items like tacos – people are generally not under a delusion that what they are eating at Taco Bell or in a box of Old El Paso is the real deal, and it has given way to a great number of delightful twists on the food: Asian influences, Tex-Mex, non-traditional meats and other versions have been able to happily evolve in various foodscapes, which adds something really special to the meal. Though I know that ground beef is not a traditional way to eat tacos, it is the way that I associate with my childhood, and that is enough of a reason for me to also encourage the globalization of tacos.
Thanks for allowing this discussion, this was a really interesting subject for me to consider 🙂
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/11/17/131391343/unesco-designates-traditional-french-and-mexican-cuisines-cultural-treasures
Hi Camila. First off, I really liked the title for your blog post! It definitely caught my attention. Your use of tacos and Taco Bell as an example for globalization is very interesting. I feel like when we talk about globalization, not a lot is said about “vertical” globalization, in which we make comparisons between North and South such as Canada and Mexico. Throughout my studies, I have noticed that a lot of the subject matter in regards to globalization is mostly east-west based.
I also liked how you acknowledged that the globalization in this situation is not really a bad thing. The exposure of the taco itself in America and Canada has an impact, even if they are not authentic and original.
Hi Camila,
I thought your post was very informative and gave quite a different perspective than most readings. I agree with you regrading the fact that when a Canadian or American person eats a taco from Taco Bell, it will not mean the same that it would for an Indigenous person from Mexico and that it is not a bad thing. I think that the fact that something originated in a certain country, doesn’t give that country authority over the use of that food. I believe everyone can eat whatever the please, thanks to globalization as you said.
Hi Camila!
Just like Andro mentioned, I thought that the title of your blog post was really eye-catching, definitely made me want to read more as that exact same question made me think about how some foods have been “americanized” but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Furthermore, Tamara said in her comment how globalization is often given a negative connotation when it can actually mean learning more about one’s culture while sitting at home! I believe that food chains like Taco Bell, although they might have customized their food based on their target customers’ preferences, still deliver a version of the actual food,while providing a change in taste for the customers.