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An open letter to Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel
Dear Mr. Zimmern,
First allow me to congratulate you on the premiere of your show's second season tonight (10 pm EST on the Travel Channel). Despite what your critics may say-- that Bizarre Foods is a gross-out rip-off of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations-- I usually find your show interesting and your interaction with locals entertaining.
Now, having said that, there is one piece of advice-- unsolicited though it may be-- that I think you need to hear. I'll boil it down (cooking metaphor!) to two words: wear pants.
Pants. As opposed to shorts.
Whether it's guinea pigs in Ecuador, cow's hearts in Morocco, or balut in the Philippines, there you are, flouting the local conventions and wearing shorts. Do you notice you're the only one with exposed legs?
Sure, it's boiling hot in some of these places, but everyone else seems to be enduring it in long pants. C'mon, you're in pretty good shape, man-- you can handle it.
Okay, I realize you're not going to disguise yourself as a local no matter what you wear, especially considering there's usually a camera crew following you around. But perhaps it would reflect better on yourself, your show, and your fellow American tourists, if you dressed a little bit more in the custom of your host country.
On a final note, despite the snark, I enjoy your show immensely, you seem like one hell of a nice guy, and keep up the good work. And remember, if they look like long pants, wear 'em!
Best,
Aaron Hotfelder
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jamie Rhein Mar 4th 2008 2:13PM
Aaron, I love the comment--so true, and so hard to do if one is a hairy person. I am not a hairy person, but I know men who are and its very hard to wear long pants sometimes. This is where wearing a long cotton skirt can have advantages. Not, for Mr. Zimmern, but for women.
AlfaMike Mar 4th 2008 4:35PM
Yes he does have a pretty entertaining show, he does a good job. Yes he should wear long pants. Perhaps some very lightweight cotton khakis. But in pretty good shape lol? That's a stretch even for a polyester jumpsuit.
Aaron Hotfelder Mar 4th 2008 5:33PM
That was, shall we say, in jest.
Melissa Mar 5th 2008 12:59AM
I work for a non profit organization and when we visit another country we make sure not to offend by the men wearing lightweight pants and the women long skirts and in some places capri's for women - never shorts or jeans. It shows respect for them and their culture. I also enjoy the show - sometimes makes me sick to my stomach - but I like it much better then "no reservations".
Mike Mar 6th 2008 3:24PM
Well said, Aaron. My biggest gripe is the incessant lip-smacking. It's simply intolerable.
Don Jun 7th 2008 8:10PM
If he wants to wear shorts, whats the big deal? Ever walk through New York City? People from where ever they are from seem to be comfortable wearing their native clothes.
Pauline May 14th 2011 2:04PM
I love your show and sometimes wish I could taste some of the 'treats' you've been tasting and eating. It would be great if someone opened a business, around here, that would offer and sell some of the foods similar to what you dare to eat. I would go there often to be adventurous and gutzy as it would be fun.
I wanted to comment on two things I've noticed...........the first is when you eat something that has to be picked up with your fingers to eat, you tend to flick the residue food onto the plate, be it your plate or on a platter. It must be a habit.
.....the second thing that bothers me was when I was watching a rerun of your show when you were in Sicily with a female 'guide'. You tend to eat in front of the person who walks along with you and you hardly ever offer that person any of the food your eating. I could tell the woman in Sicily was drooling when you were eating and none was offered to her, even though she asked if it tasted good. She kept starring into the plate of food. To me that was a hint she wished you'd offer her some. I felt sorry for her. This occurs many times, be it females or males. I give credit to one other female 'guide' who simply got a fork and ate a sample of food that was on your plate without you asking her. Good for her! Please at least offer the person to try a sample, as I'm sure many of us would do the same.