Taiwanese politicians and media personalities love to overreact, especially when a foreigner says something that touches a nerve and which they can use to elevate their name in the international mediasphere.
That is exactly what happened when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) called Americans “chicken-hearted” after a US food blogger in Texas wrote about his bad experience with century eggs, called pi dan in Taiwan, on CNN’s iReport.
Completely missing the point, which is normal on the legislative floor, Tien said Westerners should be “more courageous and willing to try new things.”
Is that not precisely what Danny Holwerda did when he went to an Asian market in Texas and picked up a strange-looking egg that he had no idea how to prepare?
The fact is, Holwerda went further than many Americans would be willing to go in trying new things; he just did not happen to like it. Maybe if he had tried pi dan prepared on tofu with green onion and soy paste, the way Taiwanese like it, he would have had a different experience.
Or maybe he would not have liked it regardless. Is it a crime for an American not to like something that many Taiwanese like?
Here is a suggestion: Maybe Tien should visit the US and try some of its wonderful delicacies, like pickled pigs’ feet, Rocky Mountain oysters, or any of the assortment of salty bean dishes that fly in the face of everything red bean paste stands for.
Instead of condemning Holwerda, Tien should praise the Texan for putting pi dan on CNN’s map. After all, probably thousands more people know about pi dan now than before his report and just might be willing to give it a try — if it is prepared correctly.
In a heartfelt letter to the Taipei Times, Holwerda apologized profusely for causing any offense, saying he had not intended to anger Taiwanese and adding that if he gets the chance, he would love to visit Taiwan and sample its wonderful cuisine.
Does that sound chicken-hearted?
This entire episode brings to mind another example of legislative overreaction after a CNN report ostensibly promoting the benefits of a trip to Taiwan — the case of the “gluttonous city.” An article on CNN in early May called Taipei the best city for gluttony in Asia, prompting all manner of misinterpretation in the legislature.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiang Nai-shin (蔣乃辛) asked: “What’s wrong with eating?”
Government Information Office Minister Philip Yang (楊永明) said the article had “damaged” the nation’s image.
What they completely failed to understand was that the article was directed at people who like to eat and that it could well attract people to visit Taiwan and spend their hard-earned tourist dollars.
Taiwan unquestionably offers great food and dining, and pi dan is a wonderful dish when prepared properly.
However, Holwerda might want to carry his earplugs with his chopsticks if he does come to Taiwan — that way he will be able to eat in peace.
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