Originally Posted by
ajax
Hey, hey, no problem.
I've just been considering the term "ethnic" lately and the more I think about it, the more it puzzles me. I was wondering what your definition was.
I only ask because I've heard people use it as a stand-in for African-American and Arab-American a few times in the past and this has always confused me. Also, I've never been able to figure out why supermarkets label some foods as "ethnic" and not others; surely all food is ethnic? Why the distinction? Moreover, I've detected some negative undertones (certainly not from you) before - as in, "An 'ethnic' person is someone who is not like us," but obviously this doesn't hold in the example and explanation above.
Hmm, it's a curious word.
Originally Posted by
cdma
I don't think anyone's doubting that it's an acceptable word, but it's not a terribly useful description. And going by the earlier definition offered, "Cracker Barrel" would be an ethnic restaurant.
"Ethnic" certainly can be a codeword for "not like us", and not negatively either. I'm a tall blond white guy...I have no need for "ethnic hair products". The word is also a great stand-in for "minority". I probably do have something of a PC chip on my shoulder, because I don't totally get my head around the hyphenated-American concept.
Is all food ethnic? I would argue that any food that is outside your personal background could be called "ethnic". We grow up having something of a culinary comfort zone - the stuff that our parents and grandparents were good at making that probably reflected heritage somehow. Again, YMMV.