THE CHEESE HAS GOTTEN BETTER

The overseas tourists aren't coming so much this year. Longer visa wait times, ever-present racism, and the horrible news that comes out of the United States are keeping them away. Instead, they're visiting other countries with renewed curiosity, and simply avoiding the hassle of dealing with rude Americans. Plus it's the food. They've got hamburgers themselves now, and there is nothing else here.

Well, okay, we've got Italian and French food. But it's better in Italy and France, cheaper too, and Italians and Frenchmen are considerably nicer.

How about Mexican? It may surprise you, but Mexican food is better in Mexico. Cheaper too. And Mexicans are extremely nice people.

Canada?
Nice!

When I first came back to the United States I was appalled at many things. Rude ignorant natives, pervasive ugliness, and, as you would expect, the food. The bread was awful. The beer undrinkable. Horrid cheese. Lousy coffee. And once I finally found chilipaste and spices, many people told me that it was bad for me, not nutricious, would rot my insides and give me ulcers, and lead to idiocy, the plague, and very un-Protestant lifestyles and behaviours.

Which is all true. They got ulcers and other diseases, and many of them are idiots. More than ever before. All because I finally ate well. Yes, that must be it. Correlation equals causation.

You know, telling a Dutch American negative crap about chilipaste and spices is an exercise in stupidity, arrogance, and cultural disrespect of monumental proportions, don't you? Do you have ANY clues about our history? Even one iota? Are y'all completely ignorant?
We committed appalling crimes all across the world to get those things!

The bread here is still mostly frightful, as is the beer. But the cheese situation has improved immensely. And fairly decent coffee is no longer as uncommon as it once was.
Sambal (chilipaste with or without other stuff) can be easily acquired.
Even restaurants often have Sriracha or real hot sauce now.
Though that may be only in San Francisco.

The Germans, French, and Italians are still coming. Less than in previous years. But they're crazy and adventurous. So far I've barely heard any Dutch speakers on the streets. They're adventurous but not crazy. Plus they may not have heard that sambal or its equivalents are more widespread. They probably still think that good bread and cheese are unknown here.
As far as beer is concerned, that has remained a horror story they scare little children to sleep with over there. Pallid undrinkable slop.

American bigotry and fascism scare people off.
Besides the food and drink.



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