surprisingly, two servers at one of the busiest korean places near me had apparently never seen a caucasian order the raw beef. one was befuddled, while the other initially told me they were out, when they werent.

no idea why they saw raw beef as so different, considering the popularity of sushi, and the western equivalent steak tartare.

more amusingly, my friend stopped by a suntory trial stand in japan over the summer, and sampled some single malts. the guy manning the stand asked how he wanted it mixed, and my friend said straight. he then proceeded to nose and taste, while the guy manning the booth stared at him "as if he were the most hardcore scotch connoisseur he had ever seen."