"Normal" foods

[FromVatoDisney]

I wonder if I am the only person who is somewhat unsettled by the frequent characterization of some foods as "normal" or others as "odd" or "weird." I think it is important to remember that people feel strongly about the foods they may have grown up eating, and that not everyone grew up eating meat and potatoes every night. Just because something may be different to you or you don't wish to try it, does not mean it is not "normal."

 

[NMW]

I think when most people refer to "normal" they are refering to your classic American fare. Like the food they serve at the American pav in Epcot or Liberty Tree Tavern, or Crystal Palace. Or chains like Planet Hollywood, Outback Steakhouse, TGI Fridays, etc. If they eat at an ethnic restaurant, most people refer to that food's country of origin-Italian, Mexican, Chinese, etc. I really haven't noticed many people refer to food as "weird" or "odd". However, what I think they may be refering to is not classic American type food.

 

[scrump]

No you're not the only one. I shrug it off on these boards because my main priority is to enjoy Disney talk! That being said, It's not a description that I would use in my day to day life, and if I had kids, I'd steer them away from this as well. I am ethnic-American and grew up here and abroad and don't share this categorization about food. I feel that the non-American food I grew up with is as "normal" to me as burgers and fries. But I do understand the context in which this phrasing is usually raised: people just want more familiar food and perhaps Epcot is too different for them.

Edited for sloppy grammar!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yeah, I have cringed at the use of this word...but didn't really think of it in an "ethnic" way or anyway that could be offensive or not "politically correct." I just consider myself a foodie and think it is funny how many people use the words "normal food" when I would classify it as "plain food." but then I do not want to use the word "plain" cuz I do not want to insult their palate. So I have caught myself using the word "normal" on these boards...but always in quotation marks. Then again...I over use the quotation marks...as is evidenced by this very post! LOL!

 

[Becky2005]

I just consider myself a foodie and think it is funny how many people use the words "normal food" when I would classify it as "plain food." but then I do not want to use the word "plain" cuz I do not want to insult their palate.

Actually, I find that hilarious as we are picky eaters and frankly we call it "plain" (guess that goes from ordering burgers at fast food places "plain" ). I wouldn't be insulted if someone used the term plain food as opposed to normal food (considering I *know* what I consider normal, isn't even normal for most the population - the way my mom made lasagna is NOT what you would ever find in a restaraunt - it's way more plain that that! LOL! - spaghetti sauce, mozzerrella cheese & lasagna noodles), then again, there is DH with "where can you get just a plain, basic steak & baked potato - no sauces, no fancy spices, etc... (i.e. bland!)"

 

[scrump]

That's interesting, I didn't think of it that way.

I didn't mean to turn it in the PC direction at all. I feel that when calling something "normal", anything outside of that category is considered "not normal" by implication. For me, the easiest divider was along ethnic cuisines, but I can see that it can be even broader than that (simple vs. elaborate? known vs. unknown?)

 

[megrod74]

I don't like the use of that word either. In addition to the reasons given, I have no idea what someone might mean by "normal" so I can't really help them. For example, I'm from the Northeast and there we eat ham or turkey on holidays. Now I live in TX where it is "normal" to eat BBQ Brisket or Tex-Mex food on holidays. Also seafood / fish are a regular part of our diets whereas here, where it's scarce, it is not common to eat it.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

Thank you for the thoughtful discussion so far. I tried hard to phrase my original post in such a way that I wouldn't start a firestorm -- I truly just wanted to know if anyone else shared my opinion. I really appreciate the responses and the cordial tone.

 

[MinnieM21]

I completely agree with you. I don't like using the word "normal food" either, I would rather refer to food such as burgers and fries as classic American fare. I sometimes feel a little unsettled when people refer to some foods as odd or not normal since I didn't go up on American food and don't consider what foods I eat to be "not normal."

 

[ncbyrne]

What if someone called it normal American food? We would all know what they meant. Not a big deal. We all have to eat and there is no accounting for taste - normal or otherwise.

 

[barbeml]

LOL! Not tryng to offend anyone, but I find that what most people mean when they say "normal" is the stuff we avoid: burgers, hot dogs, fries & popcorn.

One of the best parts of a WDW vacation is sampling great food & drink--especially during the Food & Wine Festival. I am always astonished at the number of people walking around F&W with popcorn when there are so many incredible things to try.

Oh well, more for me!

 

[megrod74]

Not tryng to offend anyone, but I find that what most people mean when they say "normal" is the stuff we avoid: burgers, hot dogs, fries & popcorn.

I agree! I think it's kind of sad that typical American fare is so unhealthy. Anyone heard of vegetables? Besides french fries of course

 

[Kaycee]

I'm laughing so hard, because when I read the title of your post, I thought to myself, "Hmmm...wonder what this person is going to consider 'normal'?" Then I read your post and realized you were saying exactly what I think when I read all the "normal foods" posts.

I don't even think "normal American food" gets the right point across. What is that exactly? For one person it may be steak. But I grew up in America and did not have my first steak until I was 16. In my house, "normal American food" was beans, cornbread and fried potatoes. Someone else may consider burgers and fries "normal American food" while another person may say fried chicken and mashed potatoes. In my house these days, pizza seems to be the "normal American food."

I think the best way to word these posts is to list a few examples of the kinds of foods that you like and the kinds that you want to avoid. Terms like "normal" "odd" or "weird" don't really tell us anything about what the poster does or does not like.

 

[Forever42]

I also think it's odd because there's not much at Disney that's I don't consider "normal" - and most of it tends to be a lot tamer than how we eat. The restaurants at the World Showcase all have very tame versions of the regional cuisine, to us!

 

[canwegosoon]

I was smiling at your post...just back from a trip where my husband was complaining that he couldn't find any "normal" food. Needless to say his best meal was at Beaches!!! I equate normal with traditional comfort. We at at Fultons, Artist Palate, Plaza, Beirgarten, San Angel, Noodle Station, etc...he liked all the food but seemed to get tired of trying too many new things

 

[sotoalf]

To be fair, Americans have come a long way in the last 20 years. When Epcot first opened, the restaurants in World Showcase represented perhaps the only opportunity for a family from Duluth or Helena to try couscous or mole poblano. Nowadays you can walk into a Safeway and buy hummus as easily as a loaf of Dandee bread.

I remember how undistinguished most Disney food was before the mid '90s, the Empress Room and Gulf Coast Room notwithstanding. My parents used to get so bored wtih the relentless procession of fried horrors served at theme parks and hotel restaurants that they sought relief in Kissimmee (which wasn't much of an improvement then).

That said, World Showcase still presents watered-down versions of native cuisine, which does bother me. If you're on vacation, wouldn't you WANT to try something different?

 

[Kaycee]

To be fair, Americans have come a long way in the last 20 years. When Epcot first opened, the restaurants in World Showcase represented perhaps the only opportunity for a family from Duluth or Helena to try couscous or mole poblano. Nowadays you can walk into a Safeway and buy hummus as easily as a loaf of Dandee bread.

Excellent point!

 

[keys2kingdom]

That said, World Showcase still presents watered-down versions of native cuisine, which does bother me. If you're on vacation, wouldn't you WANT to try something different?

I too am disappointed with lack of authenticity in the WS restaurants. I enjoy eating at them, don't get me wrong, but I would enjoy them more if they stuck to traditional recipes regarding spices and seasonings. I think I will make this request next time I eat at any of the WS restaurants hopefully they will accomodate me.