When I travel, which isn’t often, I try to never eat anyplace I can eat at when I’m at home. The only exception is if the place has some regional menu option that isn’t available at the locations where I live.
Some incidents from a trip my wife and I took to Greece, some years ago.
On the island of Kos, in a coastal town which catered to tourists, we saw a restaurant with a signboard which said “Real English breakfast, made by real English people.” My wife said “It’s nice they warned us” and we kept moving.
Also on Kos, in a small mountain village, we went into a little taverna for dinner. The matron in charge said “No tourist food here! No hamburgers! No schnitzel! Pfui!”
We laughed, and asked her to make us something good and local she thought we’d like (“lots of vegetables and not too much meat”). I don’t remember what was in the selection of dishes she served us, except that it was something we never heard of before and was delicious and not at all expensive.
Similar experience on Rhodes, where we walked through town to dinner by following the remains of an old Roman aqueduct (houses and shops are built into the old arches now) to a little outdoor cafe, and on Tinos (little seaside restaurant). Asking the owner for recommendations for their own local specialties (“What would you serve your families for a good dinner?”) worked out very well indeed… much better than asking them to make some sort of “safe” American staple.
The “ugly American” style of travel is the desire to see foreign countries without living a foreign lifestyle. In the old days, tourists were more welcome because of their dollars, but now, with cruise ships negating the need for local accommodations, the “experience” is limited to day-trips to conveniently located and photographed “tourist attractions”.
I know, it’s all most of us could ever afford. My thought is why spend all that money overseas when you can experience strange customs and lifestyles by traveling to, say, Texas. (I’m from Texas; I know what I’m talking about.)
Nothing like leaving the comfort of your own home to travel for the experience of other cultures just to find yourself eating at a chain restaurant thousands of miles away. I have a friend who recently traveled out of the country and found herself eating McDonalds a few times during her trip. Though, McDonalds does offer regional food so I hope she at least ordered that instead of a BigMac.
when chaperoning japanese guys (and it’s still a man’s world in japan, even many years later) on overseas business trips i always smiled to see that they’d make sure to pack pickles and things that they could eat every day at home. because if there’s anything that scares a japanese guy more, it’s anything novel or different, especially when it comes to food…
seanfear over 2 years ago
that’s why i head to the countryside when i travel. always
well-i-never over 2 years ago
This is where Google Earth shines. You can see a bridge in Central Park, a castle in Yorkshire and a side street in Italy in minutes
Moonkey Premium Member over 2 years ago
A shining example of truth in advertising!
zmech13 Premium Member over 2 years ago
When I travel, which isn’t often, I try to never eat anyplace I can eat at when I’m at home. The only exception is if the place has some regional menu option that isn’t available at the locations where I live.
DavidPlatt over 2 years ago
Some incidents from a trip my wife and I took to Greece, some years ago.
On the island of Kos, in a coastal town which catered to tourists, we saw a restaurant with a signboard which said “Real English breakfast, made by real English people.” My wife said “It’s nice they warned us” and we kept moving.
Also on Kos, in a small mountain village, we went into a little taverna for dinner. The matron in charge said “No tourist food here! No hamburgers! No schnitzel! Pfui!”
We laughed, and asked her to make us something good and local she thought we’d like (“lots of vegetables and not too much meat”). I don’t remember what was in the selection of dishes she served us, except that it was something we never heard of before and was delicious and not at all expensive.
Similar experience on Rhodes, where we walked through town to dinner by following the remains of an old Roman aqueduct (houses and shops are built into the old arches now) to a little outdoor cafe, and on Tinos (little seaside restaurant). Asking the owner for recommendations for their own local specialties (“What would you serve your families for a good dinner?”) worked out very well indeed… much better than asking them to make some sort of “safe” American staple.
mistercatworks over 2 years ago
The “ugly American” style of travel is the desire to see foreign countries without living a foreign lifestyle. In the old days, tourists were more welcome because of their dollars, but now, with cruise ships negating the need for local accommodations, the “experience” is limited to day-trips to conveniently located and photographed “tourist attractions”.
I know, it’s all most of us could ever afford. My thought is why spend all that money overseas when you can experience strange customs and lifestyles by traveling to, say, Texas. (I’m from Texas; I know what I’m talking about.)
knottytippet over 2 years ago
Every city is Chaintown now.
Nicole ♫ ⊱✿ ◕‿◕✿⊰♫ Premium Member over 2 years ago
Nothing like leaving the comfort of your own home to travel for the experience of other cultures just to find yourself eating at a chain restaurant thousands of miles away. I have a friend who recently traveled out of the country and found herself eating McDonalds a few times during her trip. Though, McDonalds does offer regional food so I hope she at least ordered that instead of a BigMac.
cheap_day_return over 2 years ago
“Franchises are available.”
gopher gofer over 2 years ago
when chaperoning japanese guys (and it’s still a man’s world in japan, even many years later) on overseas business trips i always smiled to see that they’d make sure to pack pickles and things that they could eat every day at home. because if there’s anything that scares a japanese guy more, it’s anything novel or different, especially when it comes to food…