I have lived and traveled wide enough, I hope, to interact with many people of various backgrounds throughout my life time. I may not be a talker but I observe as much as I want to. Through experience, I believe that I have recognized many factors that could encourage assimilation or division within societies. Language is one of those factors. From time to time, issues on language reach national prominence, just like religion. While it is not uncommon for these issues to be discussed with great vigor, there are factors that are perceived as minor in importance and have been looked over without second thought by many. One of it is dietary preference. In my humble opinion, some of these minute details must be understood if we are to further comprehend the division within our society.
Some say that food is the great unifier. Such claim is commonly found in cooking or travel magazines. While true under certain light, the statement is certainly not universally embraced.
Food is a great unifier, if everybody loves and able to consume the same food under peaceful circumstances. Alas, not everybody shares the same taste or diet; preference differs from person to person. Dietary differences are even more pronounced between communities and one does not need to go far to see this. Everywhere in Malaysia, it is very usual to have people of the same background to eat together while separated from those of different backgrounds with different dietary preferences.
There are many ways to entertain oneself in good company. One could go to a theme park or shopping for something somewhere. Or, one could eat. Eating together builds bonds and within this context, food is a great unifier.
Unfortunately, it is hard to find Malays, or to be more precise, Muslim Malays in Chinese restaurants, eating together with Chinese. By Chinese restaurants, I mean those that serve Chinese food. There, it is typical to have pork served. Because Islam sees pork as unclean, typically Muslims in Malaysia, especially the less liberal ones, would not come close to it.
Even if pork is not on the menu, Islamic requirement related to slaughtering is a huge barrier that prevents Muslims from patronizing such places as it is doubtful whether the Chinese would adhere to such requirement. In fact, there is no reason for the Chinese — non-Muslim Chinese (I hate the term “non-Muslim”. It signal exclusiveness instead of inclusiveness. Unfortunately, my limited vocabulary prevents me from finding suitable replacement for the term. Hence, I am forced to use the term) — to follow such strict requirement.
Further, liquors consumption is unheard off in Muslim tradition while many others, such consumption is seen as casual. This creates yet another barrier to greater interaction between the communities.
These restrictions generally prevent Muslims and those that does not share the same restriction from mingling together to a greater extent. They are unable to share the same joy.
Of course, there are food that both Muslims and the rest could enjoy together. Yet, such overlap is limited.
Only those that are liberal with their diet are able to cut through the gastronomical barrier. The evident is clear. While Muslims rarely patronize restaurants that served restricted food, those that have no dietary restriction are able to patronize all kind of restaurants, including Muslim restaurants.
For a vegetarian, I would imagine, it is even worse.
Despite all, perhaps, it is not too bad after all. Food does not prevent those of different backgrounds from forming some sort of friendly relationships. Food is not the only factor that affects relationship between people. Still, for those with conservative dietary — with all things remain the same — taking those relationships to another level is a challenge.
This however does not mean we all should consume the same food and create a monotonous society. All I am saying is that, we should recognize how food could act as a divider. From that recognition, perhaps, we all could or would learn to appreciate differences or diversity better.
