Like a Vietnamese Shake, Cultures Are Blended

Think of a seemingly simple dish like pasta. You might immediately associate it with Italy, right? But what if I told you the history of pasta is a tangled mess of different cultures, trade routes, and innovations? The earliest forms of noodles were likely developed in China thousands of years ago. The Arabs were trading a dry, shelf-stable version across the Mediterranean centuries before Marco Polo, who is often mistakenly credited with bringing it to Italy. When it finally arrived on the Italian peninsula, it was embraced and transformed, with new shapes, sauces, and cooking techniques. It became something quintessentially "Italian," but its origins are unmistakably global.

This culinary journey is a perfect metaphor for culture itself. We often talk about "cultures" as if they are separate, self-contained units—like neatly labeled jars in a pantry. We might say, "Italian culture is this," and "Japanese culture is that," or "American culture is the other." This way of thinking is deeply ingrained in us, a holdover from a time when geographical and political boundaries were seen as hard and fast divisions. But in reality, cultures, much like our favorite foods, are not distinct. They are a rich, complex stew of ideas, traditions, and influences that have been simmering together for centuries.

The Illusion of Purity

The idea of a "pure" or "authentic" culture is a myth. Every culture we know today is the result of countless interactions, migrations, and exchanges. The English language, for instance, is a testament to this. It's a glorious hodgepodge of Germanic roots, Latin influences from the Roman Empire, and a huge influx of French vocabulary following the Norman conquest. We borrow words and concepts from every corner of the globe. "Ketchup" comes from a Chinese fish sauce, "sushi" from a Japanese preservation technique, and "shampoo" from a Hindi word for a head massage.

Consider the modern American landscape. You can find a McDonald's in Tokyo, a Starbucks in Paris, and a Bollywood film showing in a theater in London. This isn't just about globalization; it's about the relentless flow of cultural elements. But the flow isn't one-way. American music has been profoundly shaped by African American spirituals and blues, which themselves were born from the painful synthesis of African traditions and American realities. Rock and roll, jazz, hip-hop—these are global phenomena that emerged from a unique blend of experiences and influences.

The Problem with "Distinct"

The notion of distinct cultures can be more than just inaccurate; it can be dangerous. When we create hard lines between "us" and "them," we can fall into the trap of ethnocentrism and xenophobia. It's the mindset that says, "our way is the right way," and "your way is foreign and inferior." It simplifies complex human realities and can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. It ignores the shared humanity that underpins all our traditions.

For instance, the idea of "sushi" as a purely Japanese food, while romantic, erases the fact that sushi has evolved dramatically in the U.S. and other countries, incorporating ingredients like avocado and cream cheese. These new forms, often called "fusion cuisine," are sometimes derided as inauthentic, but they are a perfect example of cultural blending in action. They don't diminish the original; they create something new and exciting, a testament to the ongoing conversation between cultures.

Embracing the Blending

Instead of clinging to the idea of cultural purity, let’s mix it up and celebrate the blending by sharing food and mingling together.  We should look at our traditions not as sacred, untouched relics, but as the beautiful, imperfect results of our shared history. Every time you enjoy a taco, you are participating in a conversation between indigenous Mexican, Spanish, and even modern American influences. 

Recognizing that cultures are not distinct allows us to see our common ground. It encourages empathy and a deeper understanding of the world. Just as we can appreciate a dish for its diverse ingredients, we can appreciate a culture for the many threads that have been woven together to create its unique and vibrant tapestry. Celebrate who you are today and become someone else tomorrow.

There’s no plagiarism in cooking and eating. There’s no such thing as a culturally authentic meal, and every dish is fusion. Smart pigs think of cultures not as definitions, but as frameworks for reference. We eat together, we eat what tastes good.