Chinese People Try Panda Express

[EgoDeath]

I don't usually get into BuzzFeed, but they do have a few good videos here in there.

I thought this one was funny because all of the older Chinese people thought Pandra Express was pretty good while all of the younger Chinese people tried way too hard to act like they were disgusted by it because it's not "authentic"

Funny stuff - I thought it was interesting to watch.

[Athene]

Panda Express is ass for the most part.
Their eggrolls are phenomenally disgusting. The spring rolls are as well...Greasy AF, for no goddamned reason.

Panda Express is the Hot Pockets of Chinese takeout.

[Anomalocaris]

I thought this one was funny because all of the older Chinese people thought Pandra Express was pretty good while all of the younger Chinese people tried way too hard to act like they were disgusted by it because it's not "authentic"

There is a generational difference.

Older Chinese people typically grew up during the time of Maoist communism, when China was poor, material goods including good food scarce, and indulgences such as high cuisine considered bourgeoise, which was a dirty word. At that time the zeitgeist was making do with whatever is available and not ask for more. Having more material riches than the average, at least publically, was shameful.

Younger Chinese people typically grew up when China has become much more wealthy. Materialism, so long as one continues to pay lip service to orthodox Marxism, is encouraged at every level in the society. Having the wherewithal to indulge in high cuisine is considered a mark of success. Being Bourgeoise is a sign of refinement. The zeitgeist is to not be satisfied with anything other than the most modern, opulent, and ostentatious. To be rich is to be proud, to be rich is to be glorious.

Add to that, the younger Chinese people typically grew up as the only child when the government impose rigid one child policy. So the younger generation has become accustomed to not only being lavished with indulgences when growing up, but also pressure to exhibit success as befitting the contemporary zeitgeist.

[EgoDeath]

Panda Express is ass for the most part.
Their eggrolls are phenomenally disgusting. The spring rolls are as well...Greasy AF, for no goddamned reason.

Panda Express is the Hot Pockets of Chinese takeout.

Hm, interestingly, actual Chinese folks seem to disagree with you.

I don't think Panda Express is anything to write home about, but it's generally fine for some quick Chinese take-out. Greasy, filling and inspired by real-life Chinese cuisine. Eh, it's fine.

There is a generational difference.  

Older Chinese people typically grew up during the time of Maoist communism, when China was poor, material goods including good food scarce, and indulgences such as high cuisine considered bourgeoise,  which was a dirty word.  At that time the zeitgeist was making do with whatever is available and not ask for more.   Having more material riches than the average, at least publically, was shameful.

Younger Chinese people typically grew up when China has become much more wealthy.   Materialism, so long as one continues to pay lip service to orthodox Marxism, is encouraged at every level in the society.  Having the wherewithal to indulge in high cuisine is considered a mark of success.  Being Bourgeoise is a sign of refinement.   The zeitgeist is to not be satisfied with anything other than the most modern, opulent, and ostentatious.   To be rich is to be proud, to be rich is to be glorious.

Add to that, the younger Chinese people typically grew up as the only child when the government impose rigid one child policy.  So the younger generation has become accustomed to not only being lavished with indulgences when growing up, but also pressure to exhibit success as befitting the contemporary zeitgeist.

You seem to be assuming a lot about how these people grew up considering that they never said how long the people lived in China or whether the younger Chinese people were born here or whatever. But okay, it's an interesting take for sure.

I think the older Chinese people were pretty clear that some of the dishes were at least close to something they'd eat in China.

Once again I don't think Panda Express is anything to write home about, but it's generally fine for some quick take-out. I just thought it was interesting how the younger Chinese adults seemed to want to "posture," in a sense, making it very clear that this is NOT authentic Chinese food, whereas the older Chinese people were like yea it's pretty close - even though they didn't like all the dishes either.

It was funny because nobody liked the egg rolls lol

[Anomalocaris]

[
You seem to be assuming a lot about how these people grew up considering that they never said how long the people lived in China or whether the younger Chinese people were born here or whatever. But okay, it's an interesting take for sure.

If they were born here they wouldn’t be “chinese people” now, would they?

[EgoDeath]

[
You seem to be assuming a lot about how these people grew up considering that they never said how long the people lived in China or whether the younger Chinese people were born here or whatever. But okay, it's an interesting take for sure.

If they were born here they wouldn’t be “chinese people” now, would they?

lol No, they'd still be Chinese by ethnicity. What lol

[Anomalocaris]

If they were born here they wouldn’t be “chinese people” now, would they?

lol No, they'd still be Chinese by ethnicity. What lol

You wouldn’t call people of German or English ethnicity who were born here “German people” or “English people” now, would you?

[EgoDeath]

lol No, they'd still be Chinese by ethnicity. What lol

You wouldn’t call people of German or English ethnicity who were born here “German people” or “English people” now, would you?

Maybe, depends on the context. That's besides the point though, it never mentions in the video that the young Chinese people were either born here or in China. lol what are you talking about? It's a funny video from buzzfeed and you're trying to debate about ethnicity lmao

[Athene]

Meh...authentic or not, Panda Express is still crap as far as I'm concerned.

Not sure old timers' sense of taste can be thoroughly trusted anyhow. Seniors experience a marked decrease in the number of taste buds as they age and the ones that remain shrink significantly. 
For all we know, half a tube of toothpaste and some Hellman's could've been squeezed into each entree and they might've said "Oh, yeah...That's the real deal right there." Lol

[EgoDeath]

Meh...authentic or not, Panda Express is still crap as far as I'm concerned.

Not sure old timers' sense of taste can be thoroughly trusted anyhow. Seniors experience a marked decrease in the number of taste buds as they age and the ones that remain shrink significantly. 
For all we know, half a tube of toothpaste and some Hellman's could've been squeezed into each entree and they might've said "Oh yeah...That's the real deal right there." Lol

I think you're overplaying that to a pretty dramatic degree. Kung Pao chicken and chow mein aren't exactly hard to replicate. I think the young Chinese people were just trying too hard to display to everyone that they know what "authentic" means. I've seen similar things in an area I live with young Croatian-Americans - they often make it a point to display how "Croatian" they are, getting Croatian flag tattoos, etc. Which is fine, I think it's a natural thing to try to cling to your heritage or whatever if you're heavily into both cultures (local Croatian culture and obviously American culture) but you don't ever see the older Croatians doing that - they just happen to be Croatian and don't feel the need to display it to everyone or fly flags in front of their house, though some of them do, and that's fine too. I just thought it was funny how the young people reacted compared to how the old people reacted.

The older people don't really have anyone to impress or any point to make, they're just saying which foods they like and which ones they don't.

Like I said, I'm certainly not crazy about Panda Express and there are much better options for take-out around, but it's mostly fine. If I wanted high-quality Chinese food there's a little Chinatown area less than 20 minutes from my house I would go to with several restaurants, grocery stores and take out places in the area. But if I was on my way home from work or in a bit of a rush to just grab something and eat it and wanted Chinese food, Panda Express is fine. It'll do.

But yea, it's not like Panda Express is some great place to eat, I don't really think that's the point of the video either lol