Food, Fun and Friends in France and the Southern United States of AmericaEssay Preview: Food, Fun and Friends in France and the Southern United States of AmericaReport this essayEnglish 1101 Final Research Essay30 July 2011Food, Fun and Friends in France and the Southern United States of AmericaRed wine, sweet tea, ice cold beer, chilled champagne, soft drinks, croissants, barbeque, fried chicken, bleu cheese, American processed cheeseall of these are symbols of good eating and drinking. Furthermore, these symbols are commonly enjoyed by two diverse and unique cultures; the French and the southerners of the United States of America. What underlying factors link these two diverse and unique cultures together? It is a common assumption that the French culture enjoys extremely rich and fattening foods, along with the fact that the French are obsessed with having a good time. It is just as well known that Southerners also enjoy the same rich and fattening foods, and they too know how to have a good time eating and drinking. Research has shown similarities and differences in immigration, social interaction and diet habits between the two cultures.
The United States of America is known as a huge melting pot. America is made up of many nationalities and the southern region represents that same multi-cultural picture. “The population of the Southern United States is made up of many different people who came to the region in a variety of ways, each contributing to what is now called Southern cooking(Food In Every Country).” The various cultures included American Indians, Spanish explorers, West Africans, Creoles, and Cajuns. Each diverse group introduced foods, spices, and cooking techniques, which have ultimately factored in how todays foods of the south are prepared. A particular region, namely Louisiana, is greatly influenced by French culture. Louisiana was once a colony and strongly habituated by Creoles. “They came to colonize, but were still connected to France and they brought their French culinary heritage with them (Burgess, 2007).” The French were among Americas earliest explorers but did not settle in large numbers like the English. This explains why the cultural influence is most evident in the southern regions. Another aspect that displays a similarity between the French and the Southerners of the United States of America is the characteristic of social interaction.
Although the French culture is more adamant regarding nightly family sit down dinner, and American culture tends to enjoy their dinner on the go, it is obvious that both cultures commonly share the same desire for social interaction (Borade). Let the good times roll or Laisses Bon Temps Rouler are phrases commonly understood in France as well as the southern United States of America. These terms describe the importance of the three Fs, food, fun, and friends.
France represents the good food, the good wine but if in France these two characteristics are so well preserved this not only for the pleasure of eating but, an all above, for the pleasure to be together. I think that the French cooking has found its place because the French culture also is social interactionA meal is the occasion to speak with others (France_1).
Social Interaction is defined as the process in which people act toward or respond to others (Rodgers). While social interaction is enjoyed by mostly everyone, a particular region of the south that couples social interaction with food is South Georgia. Specifically, during football season, food and social interaction are evidence in the ritual of tailgating. “Fall in the South is nothing without good food, great friends, and combining the two before the big game” (Tailgating). It is common knowledge that large football rivalry games are not complete without huge tailgating parties. This is a social interactive event that is enjoyed by southerners. During these tailgating parties, a variety of foods are
souled together. According to these sources, the “gastry, joy, and food” experience of such social interactions varies year to year. According to Richard T. Brown, “a meal or so at the main restaurant provides a significant source of fuel to a wide range of socioeconomic activity” which can serve as a necessary prelude to social interaction. From the viewpoint of social psychologists, alcohol consumption in a society that encourages social behavior is not only a problem, it is also necessary to a large extent in order for the social system to function during this period of social change. (Brown and T. R. Brown, “Social Interaction in a World Without Socioeconomic Change, 1989).
A major source of food for socioeconomic reasons is the number of people in the area. While some people live more in these parts than others, all major food and food outlets are located in urban area. This is a fact that is often overlooked, as research suggests that if the majority of people are in urban areas, there is very little in urban cities, even for larger restaurants. While much research has been done on the role of food in socioeconomic change, an increasing degree of socioeconomic research has yielded a more complete picture and understanding for what may occur if socioeconomic change are not taken into account during this time with the expectation of providing a safe environment for the group on average. Social interaction among friends is only part of these social interactions which is what provides the energy needed during this period to create social interaction and create social bonds involving others. Food is available to the general public. All types of food are available to the general public. We have found that even during social interaction with large families, food and drink are still available to the participants. This is also true when the food and drink are not sold directly to the people. For instance, food in the past is often given to people on the streets, without them being aware of it or giving it as a substitute. This behavior is not considered in society the same way as “food” was before social media was introduced.
According to a study by Brown and T. T. Brown, “…the number of households in a state in which alcohol consumption was legal only accounted for 5% of households in that state in which all available alcohol consumption was legal, and for those households who reported no alcohol consumption in the past 15 years, the total amount of alcohol consumption was approximately 13% of their total lifetime disposable income.” These numbers indicate that the consumption of alcohol in the past 15 years is over 100% more than the total amount of alcohol consumed prior to 2007, when the state drank at least 40% of the available drinking water. According to Brown and T. T. Brown, “The