An Iguana is for life not just for Christmas
20/04/2003
I used to work in a chinese take away. They didn't have any iguana dishes on the menu, perhaps it wasn't their style, but I never asked them why they didn't include battered iguana meat and other such delicacies on their menu. I don't recall them serving any dog meat dishes, although I seem to recall a dog was somehow involved in the stock on one occassion.
Anyhow, Chinese attitudes towards animals differ in many respects to Christian and Western beliefs. In the Western World, the notion of man's best friend being used for anything other than "walkies", can spark of public demonstrations, political upheaval and even small explosions. However Poodle fritters, Alsation chow mein or Dachsund with Satay Sauce would unlikey go amiss on a resturant menu card in East Asia. In some regions I dare say it's not uncommon for Fido to "slip" into the tempura batter and convieniently jump in to the pan of groundnut oil, the kids are probably too busy trying to entertain their depressed virtual pets to notice Fido's absence.
Animals have often played a key role in Western Societies. In ancient Egypt the Pharos used to revere their feline counter parts, I'm sure the reader will be familiar with The Sphynx Statue and all the countless Hieroglyphics portraying feline creatures alongside humans. In much of Europe during more recent centuraries cats where burned alongside witches! The Russians even sent a fucking dog into space, they've probably sent hamsters aswell.
There exists a different level of understanding between animals and humans in the West.
In the US, England and much of Europe, certain animals enjoy a similar social standing to humans in many circles. Vegatarians, Vegans and Vulcans would not think twice about altering their footsteps to avoid crushing pigeons underfoot. I believe certain animal pressure groups are even considering proposals for allowing dog's to vote, presumably only pedegree breeds would be allowed a ballot at first, later followed by equality movements from mogrels etc. perhaps cats too.
Ironically Budism comming from the East has intermingled with the thinking of many of the liberal minds of Western Society. The notion for humans to have past lives and reincarnations in animal form is a well established and accepted belief.
So "what can I do?" you may ask. "how can I fortify bridge over the gap of inter-human-mammal-kanine-and-frog understanding in East Asia?".
Good Question.
Here a few simply suggestions:
1) Take your pets with you to resturants, make sure they get their own seat, insist they recieve a menu, and let them order their own meals -don't let them fob you off with child's portions either. I recommend that you let your pets were coats, that way the waiter will have to take their coasts and therefore interect directly with the animals as soon as you arrive.
3) Allow your pets, horses, whales etc. to use your computer for internet more. They more than likely to use chat rooms etc. and due to the international nature of the interenet, they will no doubt quickly engage in dialogue with East Asian folk.
2) Postcards. Simply postcards of squirrels etc. Just leave them out where East Asian folk can see them.
Perhaps however I in my limited view of the world, may misinterpret they human-animal relationship in general. Perhaps it is merely an extension of human social relationships, or rather human-animal and human-human relationships are merely a subset of a larger being-being relationship system, and the East Asian system is perhaps a little more abrupt than ours.
Incedentally in the takeaway, they did always address me as "Christ" on my Christmas Card.