Rib steak

As a starter for 2011, here is an almost true issue of ethnocentrism and interpretation. You know the matter of universalism versus insularity. It is the very reason why in Japan you are asked after +20 years living there "how can you so masterly use chopsticks?". The "universal" version of this would be "how can't you still not master chopsticks after all these years (baby)?".

Now, here comes the meat of the real thing, and it will end up with a question that matters to interpreters, or let's say, anyone that would have had to interpret the scene granted an interpreter (between Japanese and French) were in demand. The location is an elegant French restaurant somewhere in a central plushy district of Paris. The issue is a matter of main dish, specifically of "côte de boeuf" (rib steak is it?). The garçon asks about how the Japanese guest wants the meat to be cooked. The Japanese guest answers "very well done", to what both one of the French guest and the garçon explicitely show disapproval at such show of bad taste, with unabashed remarks in mild tone (we are friends after all) that "it's a pity for the beef!".

If the garçon were Greek, you would have heard a series of "poi, poi, poi" with a sad face. The French garçon better behaved than the average just shows laughty grievance. What's the fuss? Only Barbarians would order a rib steak well done, which should read "overcooked" in the universal acknowledgment that rib steaks are to be eaten blue or nothing.

No well or badly educated Japanese would ever think or dare and suggest that your request for a well done rib steak suggests you are seriously lacking culture. But here still for a few days, just like when you visit the French consulate in Tokyo, a dash of gentle belittlement, cool scorn, is part of daily interaction "comme il faut".

Now, you are the interpreter and you are not allowed to shut up because the Japanese guest has noticed something got weird with the request of having the rib steak well done and more. The question is : what and how do you manage the situation? The garçon won't wait so hurry up - and don't suggest to switch to fish. I had fish, and it was .... well you know, coming from Japan, you seldom get impressed with fish elsewhere outside Nippon.