Firstly, do yous agree that this is true?

I find it a very general rule, in Europe anyway, the poorer the area the better the food.

And if so, why?

My theory is that it relates to industrialisation. Developed countries, they are developed because their cultures are focused on efficiency. They are endlessly searching for ways to do things more cheaply.

So you find farms, distributers, shops and restaurants, all trying to minimise their costs quite aggressively. They are not interested in quality. They have no pride in their work.

Poor countries are poor because the focus too much on quality and not enough on finding the cheapest possible way to do things.

Does this explanation extend to other cultural elements apart from food?

  • vis4valentine
    3·
    3 years ago

    I live in Venezuela, and it is a normal thing that when you buy a hamburger from a street vendor, it is HUGE, it includes, meat a shit ton of veggies, eggs, a shit ton of french fries, a drink, and all of that for 1 dollar, now imagine a 5 dollar Burger (yes, we are using dollars in Venezuela), now compare that to a McDonald’s burger and it’s depressing. Same thing with hot dogs, the image of an American hot dog is just bread, sausage, a bit of ketchup, and that’s it. Here, a regular hot dog is overloaded with fries, cheese, veggies, etc. Same thing with “Arepas” we make fun of colombians for preparing “basic arepas” because we stuff ours with whatever you can find. Now imagine all kinds of traditional foods that you can find in different parts of Venezuela, but is always very rich in flavor and loaded with lots of ingredients. Of course, the economic crisis ruined that for a number of years, but we had a little recovery when we adopted the USD, so that gastronomic diversity came back.

      • vis4valentine
        33·
        3 years ago

        Yes it is. We are rich in resources, but because of rampant political corruption (and socialism dictatorship) the absolute majority of people are poor. Most people don’t even make 500 USD a YEAR.

        • IngrownMink4
          23·
          3 years ago

          Venezuela is not socialist tho. Edit: If you don’t agree with my statement, check this and this.

          Having said that, I am sorry you are suffering in Venezuela, I hope the situation improves there, but please keep in mind that Chavism has nothing to do with scientific socialism. Chavez himself disassociated himself from that association in his presidency and in his government private property was always allowed (it is mentioned in the constitution). Anyway, I will support your anti-imperialist struggle even if I do not agree with chavism!

        • ChinaNumberOne
          37·
          3 years ago

          saying venezuela is poor is already super stupid, blaming it on socialism just makes you look like a payed cia shill

          venezuela is great and you can’t change that

          • vis4valentine
            63·
            3 years ago

            I AM VENEZUELAN!!! I AM living in this country, i know the reality of Venezuela better than you ever will. The majority of Venezuelans are POOR, and yes, the socialist government has a lot to do with it. Shit, I’m tired of people who don’t even know to speak Spanish trying to tell me what happens in Venezuela.