Austrians have always prided themselves in their ability to make delicious food, but I could not resist the delightful temptations Britain and the US have to offer. Please bear in mind that I do not know the true origins of the foods, but that I simply first had them in these two countries and I therefore connect to them.
When I went to England for the first time, my host mom made my friend and me a traditional Full English breakfast one Sunday morning. While some components, like the admittedly weird, canned tomatoes were not my thing at all, some parts have stuck with me, even 6 years after first having them. My favorite go-to from a fry-up are definitely the baked beans. I actually liked them even the first time I tried them and proceeded to immediately ask my host mom for the brand. I was very happy when I found out that the same kind was and still is available in Austria. I usually eat them with fried bacon, scrambled eggs and toast for lunch.
Another food item that I've started loving since trying it near Dartmoor, England are scones. After returning I hadn't had them for years, not until I started getting into baking and decided to try making some myself. They are now an item I make when I am in the mood for baking and crave something sweet that I can have for breakfast and I eat them the "traditional way" - with jam and butter.
Moving on to the food I have incorporated in my life after visiting the US, I can honestly say that cupcakes are the one thing that stand out the most. I went to Oregon via the Rotary Club and stayed with a very nice Asian-American family. They generally only made healthy food, which for America might seem surprising for some people. Anyway, we had a girls day and decided to make red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting since I hadn't had any cupcakes before. Ours weren't red, but rather a blue-purpleish color and they were still so very delectable. I took the recipe home with me and still make them a lot.
The last thing I'm going to mention are grilled cheese sandwiches. I am aware that they kind of are like Austrian toast, but they are not completely the same thing. I don't make them as often as I'd like, but I still eat them sometimes, especially after finally managing to make them perfect, in my opinion.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Christmas/New Years Traditions in Austria
Since Christmas is now over, I thought it would be interesting to list some differences between the Austrian and English traditions.
1. Presents: Compared to English speaking countries, Austrian children typically get their gifts from the "Christkind" and not Santa Claus. The Christkind basically is baby Jesus, but is usually shown as a blond woman with curly hair and a white dress. But since the flood of American culture reached Austria, some children now get their presents from Santa as well. However, Austrians do not put up stockings.
2. Gifting day: Generally, Austrians celebrate Christmas and get their gifts on the 24th, but some people have changed it to the morning of the 25th (like Brits, Americans, etc.) out of convenience.
3. Christmas tree: Austrian Christmas trees are usually fir trees and are put up on "by the Christkind" (it's of course the parents doing it) on the 24th or the night before the 25th. The children don't get to see the tree until the handing out of presents and usually don't notice it when their parents put up the tree, but this has been changing recently too.
http://www.news.at/_storage/asset/5216394/storage/newsat:key-visual/file/72942410/christbaum.jpg
4. "Frisch und gsund"(Fresh and healthy): This is a tradition carried out by children until age 14. They go from house to house on December 28 and bring well-wishes for the next year. There is a specific saying they have to say while giving the person soft spanks with a twig for good luck and they get money in return.
5. "Neujahrsspielen": This is another tradition meant to bring well-wishes for the next year, however in this case, it's small music groups (e.g. from marching bands) instead of children. They play or sing short songs and say poems, for which they also get money and sometimes drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic, usually Schnapps) and Christmas cookies. This tradition is carried out between Christmas and New Years Eve.
6. 3 Holy Kings: Another tradition are the 3 Holy Kings. They are usually played by children that go from house to house to collect money for charity and they bring good luck for the next year in return. They come anywhere between Christmas and January 6 and also get drinks or cookies.
http://amfedersee.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3k%C3%B6nig1.jpg
I do not own the pictures. All rights go to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
1. Presents: Compared to English speaking countries, Austrian children typically get their gifts from the "Christkind" and not Santa Claus. The Christkind basically is baby Jesus, but is usually shown as a blond woman with curly hair and a white dress. But since the flood of American culture reached Austria, some children now get their presents from Santa as well. However, Austrians do not put up stockings.
http://www.ots.at/anhang/2011/11/02/OBS/OBS_20111102_OBS0006.layout.jpg
2. Gifting day: Generally, Austrians celebrate Christmas and get their gifts on the 24th, but some people have changed it to the morning of the 25th (like Brits, Americans, etc.) out of convenience.
3. Christmas tree: Austrian Christmas trees are usually fir trees and are put up on "by the Christkind" (it's of course the parents doing it) on the 24th or the night before the 25th. The children don't get to see the tree until the handing out of presents and usually don't notice it when their parents put up the tree, but this has been changing recently too.http://www.news.at/_storage/asset/5216394/storage/newsat:key-visual/file/72942410/christbaum.jpg
4. "Frisch und gsund"(Fresh and healthy): This is a tradition carried out by children until age 14. They go from house to house on December 28 and bring well-wishes for the next year. There is a specific saying they have to say while giving the person soft spanks with a twig for good luck and they get money in return.
http://media05.regionaut.meinbezirk.at/2012/12/19/3499808_preview.jpg?1355945946
5. "Neujahrsspielen": This is another tradition meant to bring well-wishes for the next year, however in this case, it's small music groups (e.g. from marching bands) instead of children. They play or sing short songs and say poems, for which they also get money and sometimes drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic, usually Schnapps) and Christmas cookies. This tradition is carried out between Christmas and New Years Eve.
http://www.mkhaiming.at/uploads/pics/IMG_1639.jpg
http://amfedersee.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3k%C3%B6nig1.jpg
Monday, December 15, 2014
The use of social media amongst American and British teens
As a very active member of around 3 social media sites, I have noticed quite a few things.
My biggest observation was that teens, especially British and American teens, use sites like Twitter, Tumblr or sometimes Facebook to escape from reality. It helps them wind down after a stressful day of school or forget their family situations. A lot of these teens are from the LGBTQA+ community and sometimes are still in the closet or have families who don't approve of their sexuality, but online, they get to be around accepting people.
Another big factor is the possibility of making friends from around the world. I've noticed that a lot of the boys and girls who spend their free time on social media sites have problems finding friends in person, but are able to make new friends online easier. This probably occurs because the internet offers a certain sense of anonymity, which gives shy people that certain push they need to start talking to someone.
Unfortunately, adults often think that this escape from reality is wrong and that teens only waste their time, but they actually talk about many important topics as well. On Tumblr for example, a big topic is feminism and equality, but the users also talk about recent events, such as the terrorist attacks in Paris or the problems in Ferguson.
An important use of social media also is the creation and distribution of fan-created art, like fanfiction or drawings. These type of things exist for every imaginable film, band or book and improve the creativity while getting the fans involved.
These are some uses of social media sites amongst American and British teens.
My biggest observation was that teens, especially British and American teens, use sites like Twitter, Tumblr or sometimes Facebook to escape from reality. It helps them wind down after a stressful day of school or forget their family situations. A lot of these teens are from the LGBTQA+ community and sometimes are still in the closet or have families who don't approve of their sexuality, but online, they get to be around accepting people.
Another big factor is the possibility of making friends from around the world. I've noticed that a lot of the boys and girls who spend their free time on social media sites have problems finding friends in person, but are able to make new friends online easier. This probably occurs because the internet offers a certain sense of anonymity, which gives shy people that certain push they need to start talking to someone.
Unfortunately, adults often think that this escape from reality is wrong and that teens only waste their time, but they actually talk about many important topics as well. On Tumblr for example, a big topic is feminism and equality, but the users also talk about recent events, such as the terrorist attacks in Paris or the problems in Ferguson.
An important use of social media also is the creation and distribution of fan-created art, like fanfiction or drawings. These type of things exist for every imaginable film, band or book and improve the creativity while getting the fans involved.
These are some uses of social media sites amongst American and British teens.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Heteronormativity in the media
Since becoming very immersed in celebrity journalism and pop culture I have noticed how strong heteronormativity in the media still is.
The term "heteronormativity" describes the belief, that people are only heterosexual and can only be either male or female. Especially in the media, this phenomenon is very noticeable.
I've noticed this happening very strongly with the singer Harry Styles (One Direction). Since becoming famous, he has basically been linked to every women he has been in contact with, no matter what his comments on the matter were. The media assumes that he cannot be friends with a female, he can only be dating her, which has led to many "girlfriend rumors".
Only small parts of the media understand that a man can be friends with a lot of girls and even accept that he may not even be interested in them romantically.
Some fans also think he is dating his bandmate, but this belief is very unpopular amongst many girls and the media, simply because it's not normal to them and slims their chances of dating their favorite, even though the man himself has hinted to be something other than "straight" and was supposedly out as bisexual in middle school.
The article below shows the complete "dating history" until July 2014. Needless to say there would have to be some more added for it to be up to date now.
http://www.sugarscape.com/lads/news/a1055121/harry-styles-dating-history-the-good-the-bad-and-the-hendall-a-look-back-at-all-the-girls-hes-been-linked-with/
I think that it is wrong to assume, that someone, especially celebrities can only be heterosexual and can only be either male or female. In my opinion, mainstream media is one of the mayor outlets that can change our perspective of "normal" and celebrities - people who many look up to - can also stop this belief.
The term "heteronormativity" describes the belief, that people are only heterosexual and can only be either male or female. Especially in the media, this phenomenon is very noticeable.
I've noticed this happening very strongly with the singer Harry Styles (One Direction). Since becoming famous, he has basically been linked to every women he has been in contact with, no matter what his comments on the matter were. The media assumes that he cannot be friends with a female, he can only be dating her, which has led to many "girlfriend rumors".
Only small parts of the media understand that a man can be friends with a lot of girls and even accept that he may not even be interested in them romantically.
Some fans also think he is dating his bandmate, but this belief is very unpopular amongst many girls and the media, simply because it's not normal to them and slims their chances of dating their favorite, even though the man himself has hinted to be something other than "straight" and was supposedly out as bisexual in middle school.
The article below shows the complete "dating history" until July 2014. Needless to say there would have to be some more added for it to be up to date now.
http://www.sugarscape.com/lads/news/a1055121/harry-styles-dating-history-the-good-the-bad-and-the-hendall-a-look-back-at-all-the-girls-hes-been-linked-with/
I think that it is wrong to assume, that someone, especially celebrities can only be heterosexual and can only be either male or female. In my opinion, mainstream media is one of the mayor outlets that can change our perspective of "normal" and celebrities - people who many look up to - can also stop this belief.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Things I find weird about America
First off, I love America, but these are some things that I find weird/don't understand.
1. Portion size: Since I don't eat a lot in general, American food sizes are simply insane for me. I'd probably take me 2 days just to finish one portion. I know that most people there don't finish their food and take it home with them, but why serve such big portions to begin with? (Yes, the biggest plate is the American serving)
http://yes-japan.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/5370987_f520.jpg
2. Flags: Wherever you are in the US, you can bet there's a flag close to you. I get patriotism, but the amount of flags Americans have up is huge. Whether it's a car dealership or a private house, they probably have a flag hanging of a pole or out of a window.
http://blog.cvsflags.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/US-flag-purchase-2.jpg
3. Cars: Why do most people drive automatic cars? For us Europeans it's kind of a shame to drive an automatic car because it means you can't drive well, whereas in America you're the champ when you can drive stick cars, but you're normal when you drive an automatic car.
http://www.elliottsschoolofmotoring.com/images/autogears.jpg
4. Working age: Since the retirement system basically doesn't exist, like it does in Austria, people have to work until they die, but being a flight attendant at age 70 doesn't really seem that smart or desirable to me.
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/48/488ab36769a18f8e015594423e5e37693564ba50130dca777e5b3fb9734a9297.jpg
5. Courts: People get sued and sue people for trivial things. Someone sued Red Bull for claiming that you could fly if you drink it, even though you can't, which honestly seems logical to me, the not flying thing that is.
https://hughosb.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/apple-sues-god.jpg
6. Tips in Restaurants: This is a sore spot for me. While I always tip wherever I am, the fixed percentage in America is crazy (17-20% if I remember correctly). My family and I once didn't tip the full 20%, which resulted in the waiter following us outside and demanding a higher tip.
http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Tips-and-gratuities-in-the-US-A-unique-American-way-of-saying-thank-you.jpg
So these were some things that I find weird about America, I might add more at a later point in time
I do not own the pictures. All rights go to their respective owners.
1. Portion size: Since I don't eat a lot in general, American food sizes are simply insane for me. I'd probably take me 2 days just to finish one portion. I know that most people there don't finish their food and take it home with them, but why serve such big portions to begin with? (Yes, the biggest plate is the American serving)
2. Flags: Wherever you are in the US, you can bet there's a flag close to you. I get patriotism, but the amount of flags Americans have up is huge. Whether it's a car dealership or a private house, they probably have a flag hanging of a pole or out of a window.
3. Cars: Why do most people drive automatic cars? For us Europeans it's kind of a shame to drive an automatic car because it means you can't drive well, whereas in America you're the champ when you can drive stick cars, but you're normal when you drive an automatic car.
4. Working age: Since the retirement system basically doesn't exist, like it does in Austria, people have to work until they die, but being a flight attendant at age 70 doesn't really seem that smart or desirable to me.
5. Courts: People get sued and sue people for trivial things. Someone sued Red Bull for claiming that you could fly if you drink it, even though you can't, which honestly seems logical to me, the not flying thing that is.
6. Tips in Restaurants: This is a sore spot for me. While I always tip wherever I am, the fixed percentage in America is crazy (17-20% if I remember correctly). My family and I once didn't tip the full 20%, which resulted in the waiter following us outside and demanding a higher tip.
So these were some things that I find weird about America, I might add more at a later point in time
I do not own the pictures. All rights go to their respective owners.
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