Food Porn

Food porn!

Our class ended up early last Thursday, so we spent the rest of the afternoon food-tripping. We were in this new Korean Restaurant called the Break Room along Recto Avenue in Manila. I ordered Kimbap, Karen ordered noodles, and Majo ordered Ramen. Before we can even touch our food, Majo took pictures of her Ramen. I took pictures of my Kimbap, too.

"Food porn!" Karen shouted.

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the "porn" word. Karen explained that "food porn" means glamorized visual presentation of food to arouse a desire to eat (something to the effect that it becomes a substitute for real porn).

At first, the three of us agreed that we share the same indignation towards people who post pics of their food in Facebook or blog (ourselves included). But after giving it much thought, I proposed to the group that: "Maybe food porn isn't the problem. Maybe, the problem is the swaggering, conceited style of these particular people."

Then, I remembered someone who posts food she has eaten in expensive restaurants here and abroad. She even posts her Visas, green card, bank statements, Rolex, and all other things most of us can't afford.  I know a lot of her friends giving her raised eyebrows. But personally, I don't mind anyone posting anything, I guess as long as it's not contrary to morals or good customs - whatever floats your boat.

Some people post food pictures to inspire others. Some people just want to impress others to make them think they are really rich or special. Others show off so they can hide some ugly fact about themselves. But food porn? No, I don't think that's the problem.

Disclaimer: This is not directed to anyone in particular. This is purely fictional.

pic from here