« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »
I was particularly interested in the food-related ones, which included sushi, breakfast places, coffee, microbreweries and bottles of water (Lander notes that metal water bottles have recently replaced Nalgenes, the previous icon of outdoorsy whiteness, due to concerns about chemicals leaching from plastics).
A common theme seems to be making food choices that reflect social responsibility, openness to diversity, refined taste, and exclusiveness--the more obscure and difficult to acquire, the better. Lander's explanations of the items don't really offer much more to the joke than just naming the fame, but I did think that this section from Being the Only White Person Around was pretty funny.
Many white people will look into the window of an ethnic restaurant to see if there are other white people in there. It is determined to be an acceptable restaurant if the white people in there are accompanied by ethnic friends. But if there is a table occupied entirely by white people, it is deemed unacceptable.
Here are a few other food items that I'd add to the list:
Growing your own organic produce--apartment dwellers are advised to reserve a community garden plot, or at least plant a window herb garden
Smoothies--extra points for wheatgrass extracts and antioxident boosters
Shopping at ethnic markets--evidence you respect and understand non-white culture
White Castle--just to prove you're not a snob
Taquerias--especially ones recommended by Calvin Trillin
Uncommon condiments--sriracha, hot mustard, homemade pickles
Artisan cocktails--must involve herbal infusions, artistic garnishes, and a certified "mixologist"
Posted by Rachel Hutton at April 14, 2008 2:08 PM
« School bake sale? How about some beer cupcakes? | Main | Notes from an Underground Restaurant »
Game on:
-Eschewing bottled water for tap water at high-end restaurants.
-PBR (I feel like this has to be on the SWPL list already)
-Pronouncing ethnic foods with an unnecessary accent (pronouncing croissant "kwa-sawn")
-Cloth bags at supermarkets
-The Wedge
Posted by: Monica at April 14, 2008 8:17 PM
Two thoughts from San Francisco
Arguing over the best taqueria (this is very San Francisco white people)
At said taqueria, ordering in Spanish when server speaks English
Posted by: amines at April 14, 2008 11:55 PM
Not technically a proper addition to the list, but I've noticed white people love Midtown Global Market, but choose not to visit similar Latino markets along Lake where they'd be in the minority (and where some truly amazing street tacos can be found).
Also, white people like the fact that somewhat exotic ingredients, like tripe and tongue, are available at a taqueria--but they never order them.
Posted by: Ward Rubrecht at April 15, 2008 2:34 AM
How about vegetarian pho? Like, what the hell? You can't have vegetarian pho because the beef broth is so important. It's like saying you're going to serve free-range foie gras.
Posted by: misintelligence at April 15, 2008 11:44 AM
Having a close personal relationship with their farmer.
Being able to say that their 3-year-old requested panna cotta for her birthday or their 5-year-old's favorite food is sushi.
Trader Joe's
Posted by: Tricia at April 15, 2008 3:32 PM
Don't forget eating outdoors obsessively in non-BBQ settings.
Posted by: Rich Goldsmith at April 16, 2008 4:14 PM
Oh, Rich. You meant to post that on "Stuff Black People Eat"....
THIS ARTICLE IS DUMB
Posted by: whitey at April 16, 2008 5:25 PM
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/stuff-white-people-like-bought-by-target/
book deal? I thought the website was bought by Target?
Posted by: Juan at April 17, 2008 9:44 PM