Its off the menu at the Olympics..ewwww!!
In case you hadn’t heard, the 2008 Summer Olympics will be held in China this year. The Olympics begin August 8th (8/08/08), however there won’t be an item on the usual Chinese menu that has been traditionally served in China. You got it!!! Dog meat will not be offered on menus that are officially designated as Olympic restaurants. Also, the word around Beijing coming from tourist officials is that waitstaff should discourage customers from ordering items that are made from dog meat. Dog meat has a long tradition in China and is eaten by many who feel it has strong health related benefits.
However, measures such as these are not unique. In 1988, 20 years ago when the Olympics were held in Seuol, South Korea, the use of dog meat was also suspended. The Chinese tourism officials recognized that the practice of eating dog meat is not accepted universally and in an attempt to demonstrate respect for other cultures and ethnic beliefs, the suspension of the sale and use of dog meat has been put into place.
As with any decisions, there is controversy and so is the case with this. There are some traditional Chinese who say that eating dog meat has long been custom and tradition in China and that beef and pork were not banned from other Olympics, even when it infringed on the beliefs of Indians and Muslims. Point very well taken, however there is the view of public opinion and I thing the Chinese officials recognize the use of dog meat goes deeper to most non-Chinese than the use of cows or pigs. In many cultures, especially countries and cultures of the west, dogs are considered family members and are loved with the same depth and devotion as ones’ children in many cases. This can’t be said for the cows and pigs.
I think the ability of the Chinese to recognize the feelings that many people have towards their dogs is to be commended. They have proven that while they may still enjoy their own customs and traditions, they respect those of others enough to put theirs on the back burner, so to speak.
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