I had to raise an eyebrow on noticing the UK newspaper The Daily Mail’s attempt to bring a little light relief on Christmas Eve, via the subject of other countries’ Yuletide dining choices. This time they have noticed the popularity of KFC at Christmas in Japan with reports of ‘queues around the block’ on Christmas Eve:
Long-time Japan watchers will no doubt shrug at this well-worn trope, while critics of the Daily Heil will note that it has taken them a while to catch up on this story, which must have been doing the rounds for over 20 years. Maybe it was a slow news week. I suppose there is something to be said for no one’s favourite xenophobic press approaching the story from the angle of amusement at those ‘funny foreign types’ and their ways, instead of the thundering outrage at the death of Christmas which they so readily summon at this time of year.
For the record, while I have never eaten KFC at Christmas in Japan, it is very popular. However, that is usually with young couples out on a date rather than families. Christmas isn’t a holiday or a family event in Japan, that’s saved for the period over New Year instead. Not all of the Christmas story has made the journey over, but Christmas trees, Santa and presents are growing in popularity. The Christmas cake tends to be a cream concoction rather than a fruity, boozy variety. Wait til the newspaper finds out Christmas is often a normal working day, and people are usually in the office or at school as well.
ten million hardbacks wishes a very Merry Christmas to all readers, wherever you are and whatever you are eating while reading (just make sure it is of better quality than certain UK newspapers!)
5 comments
Old news here but for the average Brit is is an amusing piece of trivia and the article, unusually for the Mail, doesn’t judge. I think there is more class snobbery here than cultural irks: KFC for Christmas, honestly as if a Daily Mail reader would stoop that low. Also badly written is “Conversely” the right word for the start of the second paragraph? Hope you had a great Christmas by the way and have a good new year. See you in the next year I hope. Damon
Thanks Damon, yes, there is also a healthy (unhealthy?) dose of snobbery there too. It’s almost too easy to poke fun at the Mail and its foibles but I won’t let that stop me!
Same to you and yours – have a great New Year and see you soon! Jo
Never let it stop you, those foibles are the choicest, most outrageous ones and need the fun picking from them as often as possible.