Do not preach to SE Asia about saving food

Shawn Kelly preaches to Southeast Asia and Thailand the wisdom of saving food, but keeps silent about the food-wasting habits of North Americans. His article displays a typical mindset of North Americans: preaching values to Asians that they themselves do not follow.

The writer impresses on us that, in Toronto, parents teach their kids not to waste food – the implication being that North American parents are the only people who instil such habits in their children. The preachy tone suggests Thai mothers and fathers never teach their children anything about saving food.

North Americans have to realise that their missionary statements no longer cut any ice with Asians, who have a stronger commitment to saving water and food and practising environmental sustainability. In fact, North Americans could learn plenty from Asians about the value of conserving food and the need to give up their wasteful fast-food culture.

I have lived in Thailand, China and Canada, and I know that Thais treat food with much greater respect than do North Americans. If the writer had quoted any data to support the idea that Thais waste more food than people in Toronto – or in British Columbia, where I come from – I would not have been provoked the write this letter.

Simon MacKay

Burnaby, British Columbia