Blog 11: Tomatoes with Sugar or Salt?

When I was growing up in China we always ate fresh and raw tomatoes with sugar as a cold dish, whether we were at home or in a restaurant. I always refused to eat them because I like salty food. I disliked the cold, sweat and sour taste of tomatoes, especially during dinner when most dishes, including the warm dishes with tomatoes, are salty. I sometime murmured that I only liked raw tomatoes when they were salty and not sweet. But neither my parents nor anyone else thought it was a good idea. They all stared at me as if I were E.T. from another planet with a ridiculous custom. They often laughed at me and tried to persuade me to try sugared tomatoes. “Don’t be silly! Everybody eats raw tomatoes with sugar! They are so delicious! Just try them!” they would say. I still refused to eat tomatoes with sugar, but I learned to keep my mouth shut.

When I came to Europe I soon discovered that it was totally normal to eat raw tomatoes with salt. It’s a very small thing but I was very excited. I had been unsure about my preference for so many years and finally everyone around me agreed. This story taught me that I do not always have to do or think like everyone else. The world is a big place with many different cultures and customs. There is often more than one truth. It’s also good to question things and not take everything for granted.

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