Beijing takes dog off the menu for Olympics

[ned kelly]

this is very embarrassing to CCP China and Beijing. They are bowing to Western countries in doing this, all for the Olympics. I'm sure Lassie wouldn't mind, really. Show the West you have no concern for their silly attitudes to this and put it back on the menu glorious comrades.

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Beijing takes dog off the menu for Olympics | Reuters
BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing has asked hotels and restaurants in the city to take dog meat off the menu for the duration of next month's Olympics and September's Paralympics.

Dog is eaten not only by the large Korean community in China's capital but is also popular in Yunnan and Guizhou restaurants.

A directive from the Beijing Food Safety Office issued last month ordered Olympic contractor hotels not to provide any dishes made with dog meat and said any canine material used in traditional medicated diets must be clearly labeled.

Concerned that canine dishes might offend animal rights groups and Western visitors, Beijing said restaurants expected to be popular among foreign visitors must stop serving dog meat "to respect the dining customs of different countries".

The directive "advocated" that all restaurants serving dog suspend it during the Olympics but made no mention of the many popular establishments with donkey on the menu.

Criticism from Westerners caused the dog meat-loving South Koreans to ban canine dishes for a period of time during the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

(Reporting by Liu Zhen; Editing by Nick Mulvenney and Jeremy Laurence)

[bolo121]

Damn, the Olympics havent even started but already Beijing's gone to the dogs...)

[ned kelly]

bolo thats a bit rough ( pun intended )

[Knaur Amarsh]

At least they didn't ban donkey meat.....

[Blademaster]

Gives new meaning to "being the top dog"

[King Six]

Agreed. If Dog meat is a part of Chinese cuisine, so be it. Who gives a **** about some Westerners who would get offended just because they happen to have dogs as pets or some other ridiculous reason.

When you travel to another country, put up with their culture and customs or get out. I hate it when countries start doing stupid sh*t to appease foreigners. Most people probably wouldn't even care.

[Tronic]

Damn. Man eats best friend?

[TopHatter]

When you travel to another country, put up with their culture and customs or get out. I hate it when countries start doing stupid sh*t to appease foreigners.

*shrug* Most Western countries have been doing that for years. It's called Political Correctness.

On the other hand, you've got the Ugly American image that persists due to Americans (and admittedly other nationalities I'm sure) that complain about customs and cultures that they visit.

To which I agree with you: Deal with it or get the hell out and go home. Nobody invited you.

[Centreri]

Technically, because of the Olympics, they WERE invited, albeit not personally. I don't think they should change the menus, but I don't see anything wrong with them doing it either. They want western people to see China and say 'Hey, this is like home!' or 'Wow, Chinese are modern', not 'OMFG THESE SAVAGES EAT DOG'.

[bolo121]

I must admit its probably a wise move by china. To me at least, munching on mans best friend is just too much.

[Ray]

Would other exotic items also be banned?

bats and snakes to cranes and herons, tiger's penis,
Top 10 Weirdest Chinese Foods - Penis or saliva nest? - Softpedia

And if they are weird to us and not to them, why should they remove it. I am sure many of us would like to try it out.

What about a genuine bird's nest soup? It is the saliva of the swift. It is a delicacy.

I have had snake as a part of my military training.

So?

[King Six]

*shrug* Most Western countries have been doing that for years. It's called Political Correctness.

Yep, somehow most governments, especially our one, thinks it knows the feelings of various groups in the country. So they'll ban this and that as to try to not offend them. When all it really is doing is destroying the culture and alienating various groups.

Political Correctness never works. It almost does the opposite.

[Southie]

I don't think a country should change their "culture" just because of the Olympics. Just because dog is on the menu doesn't mean you have to order/eat it! It was on plenty of menus in S. Korea, and I didn't eat it!

[dave lukins]

Agreed. If Dog meat is a part of Chinese cuisine, so be it. Who gives a **** about some Westerners who would get offended just because they happen to have dogs as pets or some other ridiculous reason.

When you travel to another country, put up with their culture and customs or get out. I hate it when countries start doing stupid sh*t to appease foreigners. Most people probably wouldn't even care.

Don't go to Papua New Guinea...guess who they eat)

[TopHatter]

Technically, because of the Olympics, they WERE invited, albeit not personally. I don't think they should change the menus, but I don't see anything wrong with them doing it either. They want western people to see China and say 'Hey, this is like home!' or 'Wow, Chinese are modern', not 'OMFG THESE SAVAGES EAT DOG'.

Actually, given what countries do to host the Olympics, you might say that China begged the world to come for a visit (just like every country does when they apply to host games).

I also have no problem with somebody volunatarily removing something they figure would cause offense. I just don't think that the Chinese should be forced to do.

It's part of China's culture and while I personally find it repulsive, I'm sure that some Chinese would probably look at the bag of Cheetos I just devoured and gag at the thought of all that processed junk being passed off as "food"

When in fact it is truly a Gift From The Gods. )