History And Cookbooks Are Written By The Victors

April 24 2009, 5:22am

(An older lady is looking through the buffet, when she comes to our Japanese section. She eyes the sashimi.) Customer: “Oh! Is this smoked salmon?” Me: “No ma’am, it’s actually sashimi, the Japanese way of serving fish, so it’s cleaned and served raw.” Customer: “Raw? That can’t be healthy! Are you sure you are allowed to serve raw fish? Someone could get sick!” Me: “I can assure you, raw salmon won’t get anyone sick. We have served this for years.” Customer: “But it’s raw! Someone will get sick! That’s what raw fish does - gets people sick!” Me: “Ma’am, the Japanese have been eating raw fish for centuries. I think it will be OK.” Customer: “Well, they also lost World War 2. I don’t think this is safe!” Me: “…”