November 27, 2007

Chinese Takeout: A Modern Paradox

When it comes to eating Chinese food on the silver screen, it seems that the characters are always eating out of a Takeout Box.   When was the last time you ate Chinese from it’s Takeout Box?  When I eat Takeout or left over Chinese, I put the food on a plate to microwave it up.  I can’t remember ever eating out of the Takeout Box it comes in.  Perplexed I went on an investigation to determine 3 things. 

1. 1. Why do people rarely eat out of the the Takeout Box?
   

2. 2. Why does the media always portray others eating Chinese from a Takeout Box?
   

3. 3. Is it better to eat Chinese food on a plate or in a Takeout Box?
   

First I found that rice ruined Chinese Takeout.  When was the last time you ate Chinese food without rice?  Because of rice we need to put our Chinese on plates.  Since there is no rice in the entree Takeout Box, we have to put them both on a plate to enjoy their mixable flavors.   Next, almost all Takeout Boxes have a metal handle on them.  Metal and microwaves mix together about as well as a Whisky Sour and a White Russian.  Trust me on this one.  In order to not blow up your microwave, you must remove the metal handle or place the food on a plate.  Furthermore if you must eat out of the box, the handle is sometimes next to impossible to remove without destroying the Takeout Box or spilling food all over the place.

So what about the media?    In the majority of films, Characters eating Chinese food are  portrayed by a lazy character, someone who is extremely busy, or by one in deep thought.  With these character types there would be no time to get a plate out and warm up your food.  Plus, you can always sell off the exploding microwave shot for stock footage.  I think it just looks cool to eat Chinese food out of a box.  So where did this idea of eating out of a Takeout Box originate?  My only explanation is that many moons ago when you ordered Chinese, rice didn’t come with your entree, and no metal handle came with the box.  I have found that some “hole in the wall” Chinese restaurants in various China Towns don’t give you rice with your meal, but this is a rarity.

Lastly I spent a weekend eating nothing but Chinese food in order to determine what was better, a plate or a Takeout Box.  I ordered from PF Changs because they are one of the few Chinese restaurants without metal handles on their Takeout Boxes.  Alternating plate and box between meals, I continued my usual weekend indoor activities that included watching movies, playing games, and surfing the internet.  My experience was enlightening.  While eating from a Takeout Box I didn’t have to remove my eyes from the screen while watching a movie,  I didn’t spill as much while playing games, and I was able to continue reading articles on the internet without looking for food on my plate.  With a plate I was constantly looking down to fork my food.  This was very distracting.  With the Takeout Box and chop sticks, I was able to continue my activities with less distractions. 

Eating out of a box while more enjoyable, did have some setbacks.  Most notable was having to ask for extra Takeout Boxes in order to fill them myself with half rice and half entree.  Warning: The restaurant employees might look at you funny if you attempt to obtain more Takeout Boxes.  Secondly, it is much easier to eat a variety of entrees on a plate then in a mixed box.  If your going for variety, a plate is the way to go.  If you are going for cool, and simplicity, go with the box.

The Takeout journey enlightened me on the paradoxes of Chinese Takeout.  While I blame the media for this confusion, I am now a better eater of Chinese food because of it.  I found that rice and the metal handle make it very restricting for people to eat Chinese from a Takeout  Box.  Going further, it seems the media shows people eating from the box because of various character archetypes portrayed,  and because, it is cool, or sexy, or something.  Lastly, from personal experience and experiments, I like to eat Chinese food from a Takeout Box. 

So If I ever open a Chinese restaurant, I will make sure the customer has a choice of filling their metal free Takeout Boxes with a mix of rice and Chinese food.  I encourage my readers to take their own journey through Takeout Enlightenment.  Only then can you clear your head of this modern paradox.

Peace :)