I’m Korean. My family does not eat dogs. I don’t mind discussing the issue rationally, but I’m really getting tired of all the jokes. (They’ve been coming fast and furious thanks to the World Cup.) It’s time to set the record straight.
I’ve been doing a little research. An editorial from the Korea Herald points out that “Many Koreans, in fact, do not eat dog meat and are repulsed by the thought of doing so.” It also notes that dog meat supposedly promotes virility, so it “is expensive and is consumed almost exclusively by men.” In other words, this is not a widespread practice. Columnist Tom Purcell points out that “while we think it is terrible South Koreans eat dog, folks in India think it’s ten times more repulsive that we eat cow.” He also adds that the argument that dogs have personality and intelligence is irrelevent, because pigs are way smarter than dogs and we have no misgivings about roasting them on a spit. And the Asian Nation website has my favorite summation so far: “It’s true that some South Koreans eat dog meat just like it’s true that some African Americans eat watermelons and fried chicken. But [Jay] Leno wouldn’t dare make a joke about the latter but thinks it’s fine to offend Asian Americans.”
Anyway, that’s my rant for the day.
brigita
May 31, 2002 — 3:25 pm
i actually talked to some army guy who did a tour in korea about his dog eating experience. apparently there’s a great distinction made between the breed that is eaten (something about a yellow dog but not a lab, per se) and the other breeds that are kept as beloved house pets.
whatever, ignorance sucks no matter how you slice it.
the only case of my debunking dietary myths is when people hear that i’m vegetarian (ok, pescaratian) and then ask if i eat chicken…vastly more humorous than your situation, of course.
Kris
May 31, 2002 — 4:37 pm
Heh. I think my sister used to get that one too when she was vegetarian. I think all the mention of chicken eventually got to her, and that’s why she returned to her carnivorous ways. 🙂
kristen
May 31, 2002 — 6:07 pm
I think it’s pretty hypocritical for any non-vegitarian to critisize the eating of any animal products.
Different cultures eat different things. I wouldn’t want to eat dog any more than I fancy a bowl of deer penis soup, but I know of at least one place where deer penis soup is sold in Singapore.
Does that mean that all Singaporeans eat it? Absolutely not.
kristen
May 31, 2002 — 6:09 pm
What I mean is, I agree with you…and I’m sorry if the hot dog picture offended you.
Kris
June 1, 2002 — 12:52 am
Hey, it’s okay. I think we’re all in agreement anyway.
I accepted my carnivorous ways in the third grade. My dad had just shot a deer, and I cried and cried about how he had murdered Bambi. Not long afterward someone tricked me into eating venison. And damn was it good! I gave up the crying after that.
anon
June 1, 2002 — 2:51 am
Can’t we all just get along..? and mock the french like God intended 😀
Kris
June 1, 2002 — 1:20 pm
Ah, you nutty Canadians. 🙂
brigita
June 4, 2002 — 3:09 pm
that pic made tonight’s leno, FWIW. i tuned in too late to catch the commentary.
Kris
June 4, 2002 — 3:51 pm
He’s gotten in trouble for those jokes before. I bet he was a lot more careful this time.