Stories keep coming in...post yours below in the comments?
From my cousin, Jenn Walz, who is also one fine photographer:
The Chinese Restaurant in Brussels story? -
When I was flying with Overseas National Airlines (now defunct) and being vegetarian in many cultures that were new to me - it was sometimes difficult. I often went to Chinese Restaurants thinking I could at least get veggies, rice and tofu. My traveling companions/co-workers and I were all young, mid-20's and they sometimes razzed me about being a vegetarian. (it wasn't cool yet)
After a meal at a Chinese Restaurant in Belgium during which I had been teased for eating tofu while the others had meat, we watched in silence as an employee came up the stairs from the basement an armful of kittens and carried them into the kitchen. "Well." I said, "At least I know I didn't eat cat." They turned various shades of green, red and purple and one young lady excused herself to the restroom for quite some time.
From my friend Rick F about my telling of his Eel and Tofu Delight:
"Ah yes, I remember it well. So glad that it struck you and will now provide amusement for others. You may want to include the unpleasant moments that followed: each horrible "Oscar Mayer eel slice" was drizzled with a piquant sauce before being placed in front
of each diner. Then the hosts eagerly watched each of our faces, expecting smiles and sounds of lip-smacking relish. Instead, they saw each of us turn green, gray, etc. as we shuddered, apologized, bowed, begging their understanding that we. just. couldn't. eat. it.
We then watched as their faces reddened and scowls appeared. They began to resemble the angry, demonic temple guardian statues we had seen everywhere. They hissed and exchanged knowing scowls at each other. "These thankless gaijin just didn't appreciate the honor of being served such a delicacy!"
Another one from Rick F: Did I tell you the other Japanese dining horror?
The restaurant where they set a heated, flat stone in front of you, along with a platter of sheep's ovaries and other assorted guts? You drop them on the hot stone, they sizzle, inflate and burst, then you dip the wretched things in shoyu and chow down (or in our group's case, DON'T chow down) and yes, followed by glaring demon faces and grunts from the Japanese hosts who belabor how expensive, how delicious the goodies you are leaving on your plate are.
