When Food Brings Us Closer: Global Conversations Without Assumptions About Taste or Culture

Food is a great starting point, but do not assume there is one right answer

Food is a friendly topic that lets people naturally share their daily lives and cultures. However, assuming someone’s preferences based only on nationality—such as thinking that everyone from a certain country must like spicy food—can make them feel responsible for explaining themselves. It is better to ask about personal experience rather than focusing on where someone comes from. For example, instead of asking, “What food from your hometown do you like?” broaden the options with, “What have you been eating often or trying to cook lately?” This reduces the pressure to talk about a special traditional dish.

When making a suggestion, leave room to say no

When recommending food or inviting someone to eat together, remember that they may have circumstances that are not obvious, such as allergies, religious requirements, a vegetarian diet, or health-related reasons. Instead of saying, “You have to try this,” try, “If you’re interested, this is another option. Are there any ingredients you avoid?” If they do not want to explain their reasons in detail, a simple response such as, “Got it. I’ll look for another option,” is enough. Avoid trying to persuade them about their preferences or asking them to justify their choices.

If a translation is unclear, ask specifically about ingredients and preparation

Even when dishes share the same name, their ingredients or preparation methods may differ by region. Rather than relying entirely on an AI translation, reduce misunderstandings with short questions such as, “What ingredients usually go into this dish?” or “Is it grilled, or does it come with broth?” During video or voice conversations, you can show a menu or package, but first make sure personal information such as an address, order number, or contact details is not visible on the screen.

The goal of a good conversation about food is not to compete over who knows more, but to discover each other’s everyday lives in a comfortable way. Do not generalize one person’s answer as representative of an entire culture. By keeping an attitude of genuine curiosity—“How do you enjoy it?”—a conversation about one meal can become the beginning of a lasting friendship.