Discoveries while travelling - things you didn't know before
Jun 19, 2019, 3:30 am
#31
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
Fun thread.
The main thing I’ve observed over the years is how dominate the American culture is around the world. Not judging good or bad, just an observation. Same within the US, there was a time when traveling to different parts was almost like visiting another country but now it’s all the same.
I love that Mark Twain quote because it’s so true. Traveling with an open nonjudgmental attitude can make the entire experience completely different. I too believe that traveling made me a better person.
Oh, and fried scorpion in China isn’t all that bad.
The main thing I’ve observed over the years is how dominate the American culture is around the world. Not judging good or bad, just an observation. Same within the US, there was a time when traveling to different parts was almost like visiting another country but now it’s all the same.
I love that Mark Twain quote because it’s so true. Traveling with an open nonjudgmental attitude can make the entire experience completely different. I too believe that traveling made me a better person.
Oh, and fried scorpion in China isn’t all that bad.
Jun 19, 2019, 11:11 am
#32
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Since you guys have been there, do you have any tips? What's the reality? Are there large collections of food-hawkers in a single place (a la Portland) or just one-offs around town? Or is it more like other cities where some restaurants have outdoor seating, but it's more of a full-menu vibe, not a streetfood vibe?
Was the streetfood scene in Crazy Rich Asians shot anywhere real, or just fabricated in a studio somewhere?
Jun 19, 2019, 1:58 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
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Jun 19, 2019, 2:37 pm
#34
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Now, Indonesia, China in its Tier 2 and lower cities, and Thailand- great street food countries. Singapore, OTOH, good country for eating, just not kerbside.
Jun 20, 2019, 6:08 am
#35
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Interesting. This coming winter, I'll have my first real stop in Singapore - a 3-night visit. When I encounter people who've been there, they give me the impression there's this huge streetfood scene, like Portland on steroids. Whether from a truck, cart, or permanent stand, the impression is that you can just walk along, order something amazing, and eat it outside.
Since you guys have been there, do you have any tips? What's the reality? Are there large collections of food-hawkers in a single place (a la Portland) or just one-offs around town? Or is it more like other cities where some restaurants have outdoor seating, but it's more of a full-menu vibe, not a streetfood vibe?
Was the streetfood scene in Crazy Rich Asians shot anywhere real, or just fabricated in a studio somewhere?
Food courts are usually air conditioned while hawker centres are al fresco
There are numerous hawker centres / food courts to be enjoyed all over - discovery time .
Look at the photos , usually displayed above each stall , so you do get an idea of what you are ordering
Many , many moons ago , these stalls were carts on bicycles , tricycles and even before carried about on poles - go figure ..
The issue is what to try first as you saw in the movie ! Decisions , decisions , decisions !!
Last edited by FlyerEC; Jun 20, 2019 at 8:08 am
Jun 20, 2019, 8:03 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,918
”Hawkers centers” are not on the street. With Singapore’s confusing rules for cleanliness (smoke if you got ‘em, but don’t eat while you walk), it wouldn’t make any sense.
Now, Indonesia, China in its Tier 2 and lower cities, and Thailand- great street food countries. Singapore, OTOH, good country for eating, just not kerbside.
Now, Indonesia, China in its Tier 2 and lower cities, and Thailand- great street food countries. Singapore, OTOH, good country for eating, just not kerbside.
Just because it comes from a hawker centre does not mean it can't be considered street food. Yes, some foods like laksa or nasi goreng probably doesn't work. But satay? Otak-Otak? Roti? Zhongzi? All used to be sold from streetside vendors... Another example, durian... Go near Rochor road and they're still sold from carts... All would qualify as street food... You just have to make a sidetrip into a hawker entre instead of getting it from a cart... Mainly for space and health reasons.
Interesting. This coming winter, I'll have my first real stop in Singapore - a 3-night visit. When I encounter people who've been there, they give me the impression there's this huge streetfood scene, like Portland on steroids. Whether from a truck, cart, or permanent stand, the impression is that you can just walk along, order something amazing, and eat it outside.
Since you guys have been there, do you have any tips? What's the reality? Are there large collections of food-hawkers in a single place (a la Portland) or just one-offs around town? Or is it more like other cities where some restaurants have outdoor seating, but it's more of a full-menu vibe, not a streetfood vibe?
Was the streetfood scene in Crazy Rich Asians shot anywhere real, or just fabricated in a studio somewhere?
Since you guys have been there, do you have any tips? What's the reality? Are there large collections of food-hawkers in a single place (a la Portland) or just one-offs around town? Or is it more like other cities where some restaurants have outdoor seating, but it's more of a full-menu vibe, not a streetfood vibe?
Was the streetfood scene in Crazy Rich Asians shot anywhere real, or just fabricated in a studio somewhere?
Jun 22, 2019, 8:19 am
#37
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
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Posts: 3,752
My travels have uncovered this:
Smiles are universal. So are shrugs, nods, thumbs ups, etc.
Whether you can talk to them or not, most people are pretty nice.
Yet, as my friend used to say, "There's one [jerk] in every crowd."
Regardless of culture, most people complain to some degree by the way the country is run/the people in charge, and fundamentally, just want the chance to live peacefully with the ones they love and have the best for their children.
Go with it. Not getting exactly what you want when you travel, such as in restaurants, generally doesn't matter in the long run.
Travel has made me a better person.
Smiles are universal. So are shrugs, nods, thumbs ups, etc.
Whether you can talk to them or not, most people are pretty nice.
Yet, as my friend used to say, "There's one [jerk] in every crowd."
Regardless of culture, most people complain to some degree by the way the country is run/the people in charge, and fundamentally, just want the chance to live peacefully with the ones they love and have the best for their children.
Go with it. Not getting exactly what you want when you travel, such as in restaurants, generally doesn't matter in the long run.
Travel has made me a better person.
Jun 22, 2019, 8:33 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
Question to seasoned and semi-seasoned travellers:
What were your personal discoveries when travelling to new countries, which were unknown/not obvious to you before embarking the trip?
In other words, what you've learned in a particular place/country place which was not plastered around Internet (or FT, to be honest)?
Thanks
What were your personal discoveries when travelling to new countries, which were unknown/not obvious to you before embarking the trip?
In other words, what you've learned in a particular place/country place which was not plastered around Internet (or FT, to be honest)?
Thanks
I suppose I should give the caveat that I travel for people; my perspective would probably different if I traveled for political interests, history or ???
Jun 22, 2019, 2:01 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
And smiling when it's not expected may be perceived as ingratiating or as a sign of low intelligence. Worse, the "OK" sign is extremely vulgar in some cultures.
Jun 22, 2019, 3:45 pm
#40
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Street food in another excellent country for eats on-the-go, Mexico. The kerb is clearly seen...
Just because it comes from a hawker centre does not mean it can't be considered street food. Yes, some foods like laksa or nasi goreng probably doesn't work. But satay? Otak-Otak? Roti? Zhongzi? All used to be sold from streetside vendors... Another example, durian... Go near Rochor road and they're still sold from carts... All would qualify as street food... You just have to make a sidetrip into a hawker entre instead of getting it from a cart... Mainly for space and health reasons.
Jun 22, 2019, 6:22 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,556
Jun 22, 2019, 7:10 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
For example, in France.
See a good explanation here: https://www.frenchtruly.com/dont-smile/
See a good explanation here: https://www.frenchtruly.com/dont-smile/
Jun 23, 2019, 1:07 am
#43
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Location: Virginia City Highlands
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Posts: 6,900
Good hawker centers are in heartlands - Tiong Bahru, Old Airport Road, Zion road. And if you wanna to see how really locals are living/eating, go to places like Khatib or Jurong.
Jun 23, 2019, 10:26 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,918
Ahem, any local and expats who have been living here for a while would tell to avoid these two places - food there is not particularly great and overpriced as well.
Good hawker centers are in heartlands - Tiong Bahru, Old Airport Road, Zion road. And if you wanna to see how really locals are living/eating, go to places like Khatib or Jurong.
Good hawker centers are in heartlands - Tiong Bahru, Old Airport Road, Zion road. And if you wanna to see how really locals are living/eating, go to places like Khatib or Jurong.
Jun 25, 2019, 6:59 am
#45
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Just back from a week in the UK and it's interesting that it feels less and less different than the US each time I visit. Too many things that we have are also there.
However, there are two things that we have that aren't there (or at least not super common) and I actually missed a lot, as an American in a foreign land:
1. Cream for my coffee (or even something like Coffeemate) - curious: are Americans the only ones who use half-and-half and/or cream in coffee? I don't find that milk really does the trick and this is an issue that I've found all over (Europe, Asia, South America)
2. Ice - Why don't people outside the US love ice the way we do?
However, there are two things that we have that aren't there (or at least not super common) and I actually missed a lot, as an American in a foreign land:
1. Cream for my coffee (or even something like Coffeemate) - curious: are Americans the only ones who use half-and-half and/or cream in coffee? I don't find that milk really does the trick and this is an issue that I've found all over (Europe, Asia, South America)
2. Ice - Why don't people outside the US love ice the way we do?