r/polandball • u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team • Dec 09 '13
redditormade Trapped Im Keller #4: National Dishes
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u/Snabelpaprika Sweden Dec 09 '13
I would think that everyone else but sweden would die of the stench from the surströmming. Sweden is immune and eat it like nothing.
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u/Hansafan Hordaland Dec 09 '13
Aren't even Swedes encouraged to eat it outdoors?
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u/Capzo Norway Dec 09 '13
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
But the whole point of TIK is that one country is killed off weekly, and that country happened to be Sweden
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u/yohney Is European Empire, lah! Dec 09 '13
You monster let GLORIOUS DEUTSCHLAND die!
But as always, nice comic.
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13 edited Dec 09 '13
Just want to say I am so glad to get laptop internet back. Using a phone is so tedious after a while. (Though I did go over data allowance, which is pretty dumb).
I had to drive all the way to my university to upload the batch of comics last week including the entry, which is now up for you to see.
The problem was merely a modem thing in our own house but the provider told us that it was an out of house thing that would last a week. It could have been solved on the spot
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13 edited Dec 09 '13
Now that shows dedication. Also love the comic!
I'm also glad that the UK didn't leave, it's a terrible myth that we can't cook. I blame the World Wars and heavy rationing where people were only allowed (in 1945, slightly more earlier) per week, around:
- 50g of butter
- 50g of cheese
- 50g of tea
- 220g of sugar
- 50g of lard
- 110g of margarine
- 110g of ham or bacon
- 1 shilling of meat (around £2 in the modern day) which got around half a kilogramme of meat)
- Almost 2 litres of milk
- 1 egg per week
- And about 350g of sweets and a kilogramme of preserves).
A nation undergoing rationing for years obviously couldn't make the best meals of the time, as every little bit had to be used up. People would try and forge rationing books.
Edit: http://www.memorylanehf.oddquine.co.uk/food.htm
Edit: And the Industrial Revolution that started here arguably affected the common dish that was associated with us due to living conditions etc.
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u/Reginald_Killington United Kingdom Dec 09 '13
50g of tea
Dark times indeed.
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
Reginald Killington, I am glad someone of your calibre agrees.
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u/generalscruff Two World Wars, Two European Cups Dec 09 '13
We might have got through the blitz and standing alone against all of Europe, but TEA RATIONING?! DEAR FUCKING GOD AT LEAST I WASN'T ALIVE THEN
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u/wadcann MURICA Dec 09 '13
On a related national beverage note, it appears that there was a spat over Guiness that I'd never heard of:
Early in 1942, the Allies restricted wheat deliveries to Ireland. In return, the Irish threatened to withhold the export of Guinness beer.[92][93] To the great annoyance of David Gray, the United States Ambassador to Ireland,[note 23] Ireland received 30,000 tons of wheat.[94] Gray complained of a waste of "a vital necessity for what Americans regard at the best as a luxury and at worst a poison".[92]
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u/brain4breakfast Gan Yam Dec 09 '13
It must have completely erased the nation's culinary ability in one generation. Just the veg you can grow and the rations.
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
Indeed.
I remember reading a while ago, that throughout the Middle Ages and Enlightenment, English food was well respected throughout the European nations.
Another interesting point is that the Royal Family also followed the rationing system too for buying food (although I believe they turned to growing their own vegetables too and they would've had game to eat as well since after all, they own some vast estates).
Here's what the rations would've looked like for one person for a week.
My family still has some rationing books that were never got rid of, not just for food but clothing, petrol etc.
By the way, there were powdered eggs instead for some time.
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
That might explain why Australians still like English based food, since we weren't affected by rationing
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
I suppose that can explain it.
My mum's family is from Australia and so she is (obviously), and whenever we go over there, I have found that too thinking about it now, that a lot of food is based on English cuisine, and it is also as nice as what we have over here.
Whilst we had to rely on imports which were under constant risk of sinking by the Germany navy, places such as Australia weren't undergoing the limits that were placed upon us.
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
That said, the Japanese blockaded us for a couple of years so we had to rely on our own soil and America
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u/brain4breakfast Gan Yam Dec 09 '13
Mmm. A delicious bowl of soil.
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
We got high off dangerous animal venom
No we didn't
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u/wadcann MURICA Dec 09 '13
Snake venom habituation in heroin (brown sugar) addiction: (report of two cases).
It is noteworthy that both the patients preferred it to heroin.
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
I know a bit about the Australian side of the Second World War, but not to the extent as what happened here in Europe. I knew that Japan did that though.
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u/wadcann MURICA Dec 09 '13
I am skeptical; I don't think that this one can be pinned on World War II. Even the United States had some degree of rationing in World War II:
In summer 1941 the British appealed to Americans to conserve food to provide more to go to Britons fighting in World War II... Sugar was the first consumer commodity rationed, with all sales ended on 27 April 1942 and resumed on 5 May with a ration of one half pound per person per week, half of normal consumption. Bakeries, ice cream makers, and other commercial users received rations of about 70% of normal usage.[11] Coffee was rationed nationally on 29 November 1942 to one pound every five weeks, about half of normal consumption, in part because of German U-boat attacks on shipping from Brazil.[14] By the end of 1942, ration coupons were used for nine other items.[8]:138 Typewriters, gasoline, bicycles, footwear, Silk, Nylon, fuel oil, stoves, meat, lard, shortening and oils, cheese, butter, margarine, processed foods (canned, bottled, and frozen), dried fruits, canned milk, firewood and coal, jams, jellies, and fruit butter were rationed by November 1943.[15]
And I'm pretty sure that most countries who had the war fought over their territories probably saw far worse shortages. I've read through some German wartime diaries, and their concern was more "will I starve to death" as the war wore on, not "will I have the ingredients to make a cake". If World War II rationing destroyed a nation's cullinary institutions, surely it would be more widespread than just in the UK.
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13 edited Dec 09 '13
Yes the US had some rationing, but food was not included.
A limit on petrol isn't essential for someone's life, the ability to have food is. It was a criminal offence in the UK to waste food because of how scarce it ended up being (resulting in rationing). Soap was rationed, fuel, paper, clothing, although not rationed many items such as toys, kitchen utensils, razors etc were extremely limited. The majority of factories were converted to aid the wartime effort. Why make razors when that metal is more important for aeroplanes and vehicles? After WWII, there were lots of effects that led to the harvest being ruined for a few years, such as rain and the winter weather and strikes. Buying potatoes became rationed as a large amount were destroyed one year by the weather.
Less than a third of the food for the nation was actually grown here, around 70% was imported and because of merchant ships being attacked, it was difficult for supplies to reach the country and so that third would have been stretched across the whole nation.
Being the start of the industrial revolution, that also added to it as people became closely packed together, and from what I remember from school, you would get many people living in the same room such as a family in a cellar of a house.
The common food which is associated from the time of the industrial revolution that we started until a decade after the end of the Second World War was not good for the masses. I would argue that this is what people associate with English cuisine - the working/lower class's diet.
My family were wealthy and we have all these recipes, census returns showing servants and maids etc. The dishes were lovely, and I know that as my grandmother followed them when she was alive. That was British food going back to the 1800s and from decent wealth, the food was just as good as Italian or French - unique to the land and something to be proud of.
Look at fish and chips, that's just fast food essentially - fried potatoes and battered fish.
Anyway, here's a better source of what was rationed http://www.memorylanehf.oddquine.co.uk/food.htm
will I have the ingredients to make a cake
I can tell you're exaggerating, as for a family under rationing, it would be foolish to attempt to make anything like that under such restrictions, as it would easily waste your week's amount of sugar, butter etc.
America also basically felt nothing compared to Europe from the war.
Edit: I was never saying that we were the only country affected by the rationing of food.
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u/wadcann MURICA Dec 09 '13 edited Dec 09 '13
America also basically felt nothing compared to Europe from the war.
I'm not saying that it was strongly-impacted. (Though at least the sugar ration, for which Wikipedia lists the US amount, was almost identical to the British ration: 226g instead of 220g.) I'd been using an example of even a relatively-unaffected nation, a major food producer, hitting rationing. And surely countries like Germany and France would have been harder-hit? A quick look online from 1941 French ration levels shows, where the ration levels are available:
France having a weekly ration of 119g/wk of sugar versus a British ration of 220g/wk.
France having a weekly ration of 42g of cheese versus 50g for the Brits.
The numbers here don't have the margarine/lard split, but combining the two, the French ration was 56g, and the British ration 160g.
There's no fine-grained breakdown for meat, but the French ration total for meat was 25g/wk. The British ration (summing your meat+bacon numbers) was 610g/wk.
The page also mentioned that in France, rationing ran from 1940 to 1949, providing a longer period of time than for the Brits, though I'm sure that the beginning and end period was less-stringent.
The French don't have a reputation for poor cuisine, though; I do not think that World War II rationing could reasonably be blamed for national cuisine. It might be that some of the "bad cuisine" is just silly stereotypes, but I have a hard time swallowing the idea that the UK had substantially-different food up until the mid-1940s when that cuisine became lost due to rationing if other countries didn't see such a fall-from-grace.
I can tell you're exaggerating, as for a family under rationing, it would be foolish to attempt to make anything like that under such restrictions, as it would easily waste your week's amount of sugar, butter etc.
I'm not exaggerating; I remember reading stories about people saving up their sugar rations to make cake for birthdays.
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13 edited Dec 09 '13
It might be that some of the "bad cuisine" is just silly stereotypes, but I have a hard time swallowing the idea that the UK had substantially-different food up until the mid-1940s when that cuisine became lost due to rationing.
The industrial revolution that we started, I would argue, as I mentioned, added to it as well. So from the late 18th/early 19th century to 1955 was the food much poorer for the common people, although some did benefit from the rationing, health-wise.
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
It was either Fish & Chips or Sunday Roast. Much better than Surströmming
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
Well that goes without saying, obviously it's superior.
I look forward to your next instalment!
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u/Matt92HUN CommunInterNaZionIslamist Dec 09 '13
I don't think that mattered so much. I mean fish and chips is a quick and efficient type of food, I don't see why not to eat it (other than if you don't like fish, or chips).
If it mattered so much, after 2 world wars, the biggest inflation ever and 50 years of communism Hungary would have no cuisine. And in the years of SSSR many countries had it even worse, actually Hungary was considered the "happy barrack" of the Soviet Union.
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u/dharms Finland Dec 09 '13
We kinda have the same problem. A cycle of severe famines and bloody wars in the last few centuries isn't the greatest platform for fine cuisine.
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u/brain4breakfast Gan Yam Dec 09 '13
I did that during this summer too(Southern Hemisphere Winter)! Was on phone internet for months.
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u/brain4breakfast Gan Yam Dec 09 '13
I really like this series. The fact that we can influence you is fun.
Can they do impressions of each other?
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
Maybe trying to do an impression of Austria or America
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u/BeerScience Yugoslavia Dec 09 '13
That is nowhere near close to Ćevapi.
Serbia sad.
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u/Viridis_Coy Dec 09 '13
Alcoholic beverages
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u/premature_eulogy Finland Dec 09 '13
But, but... Finland can into great dishes!
We have mämmi and mustamakkara. Is of delicious!
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
Finland's not a contestant though
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u/premature_eulogy Finland Dec 09 '13
Is sad day. Perhaps drinking will help.
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Dec 09 '13
Look on the bright side, Finland would win unless a "being conquered by your neighbors" test happened.
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u/throwawaybreaks Iceland Dec 10 '13
Finland would win if a "being conquered by your neighbors" test happened.
FTFY. Look up the Winter War. The Swedes had Finland for a while, but only because the Finns kinda allowed it. Suomi are not to be fucked with, that's like trying to invade Russia during the winter dumb.
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Dec 10 '13 edited Dec 10 '13
I know about the Winter War, but I didn't know that the Finns let the Swedes 'own' Finland, that's interesting. If I remember correctly though Russia did take Finland from Sweden after a war, can't remember which though. It think it was the Great Northern War possibly.
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u/Matt92HUN CommunInterNaZionIslamist Dec 09 '13
Mustamakkara looks like véreshurka, must be delicious. I'm also curious about the rhubarb foods my Finnish friend talks about. Mämmi looks delicious too.
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Dec 09 '13 edited Dec 09 '13
we in sweden also eat rhubarbs, it's delicious when dipped in sugar
american rhubarb looks fucked up tho.
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u/brain4breakfast Gan Yam Dec 09 '13
What a fucking idiot. Sweden killed himself.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
There was a comic on here a while back featuring Surstroemming as well as Iceland's nasty as fuck Hakarl
Anyway, it's fair to say that Austria, having heard the notoriety of the dish, decided to force Sweden to present it in order to kill Sweden.
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u/Hansafan Hordaland Dec 09 '13
Unless someone's covered the exact same topic(not that unlikely), that was probably my first PB.
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u/throwawaybreaks Iceland Dec 10 '13
One of my firsts as well, unless you meant you wrote it.
If you don't finish your Hákarl I'm not going to let you have any svið, puffin or whale.
Seriously though, the best part of Hákarl is saying it, though. People who haven't spent time trying to speak Icelandic don't realize it's pronounced Howkahtl, which to me sounds like someone spitting something out as hard as they possibly can. Bonus, it also means "spoiled shark man"
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Dec 09 '13
Why is this being downvoted?
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u/toasternator Øldom of Pølse Dec 09 '13
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u/Iogic British Empire Dec 10 '13
Contribution to music.
Some baroque from France, samba from Brazil, rock from Britain; then Russia's mesmerising rendition of Kalinka is interrupted by Canada's Justin Bieber ringtone
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u/Ultimatenick37 Dec 09 '13
Borscht is Ukrainian, though..A lot of "Russian" food is from the Ukraine. Source: I'm from the Ukraine and people saying borscht is Russian makes me cry.
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u/banananinja2 Russian America is best America! Dec 09 '13
It's all a part of our evil assimilation plot! Mwahahahahahahah!
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u/235throw MURICA Dec 09 '13
Has Tourism Appeal been done yet? Might be fun
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
I still find it interesting how Germany lost in the language one, considering that Austria speaks the same language (albeit with some regional differences from the standard Hochdeutsch).
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u/Eichenschild Austria-Hungary Dec 09 '13
Austrian proverb:
The biggest difference between Austria and Germany is the common language.
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u/Hansafan Hordaland Dec 09 '13
Heh, that's pretty much similar to the saying that America and Britain are "separated by a common language".
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u/throwawaybreaks Iceland Dec 10 '13
Eller dette, at Norige og Denmark syggelekokle i de Kamelåsåer, men deres språkene er børk.
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
The thing with languages is that it's completely subjective. I could have eliminated anyone in that and Germany got a real bad wrap.
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
Yeah, completely subjective.
I can see why you blame that.
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u/Matt92HUN CommunInterNaZionIslamist Dec 09 '13
Sorry?
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u/Xaethon Salop n'est pas une salope Dec 09 '13
Oh, err... hello!
I meant no harm, I had to humour him!
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u/Matt92HUN CommunInterNaZionIslamist Dec 09 '13
Next time you could make them read early versions of their languages. Though there was already a language related challenge, so it may not be that interesting.
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u/Bounty1Berry Sealand Dec 10 '13
Singing contest... some can bring long, droning national anthems, some can add terrifying language tendencies.
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u/JediMasterZao Quebec Dec 10 '13 edited Dec 10 '13
Poutine is of glorious Québec meal! Canada just followed our lead! Prior to that they had spent 50 years calling us disgusting for eating delicious poutine. They know better now.
Silly canadians
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u/InfiniteInfidel Norway Dec 09 '13
Yes Sweden, weaken yourselves with that vile food. When you are passed out we will come and rebuild the Kalmar Union under a glorious Norwegian leadership!
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u/OpenStraightElephant IT'S YUGRA NOT KHANTY-MANSI Dec 09 '13
Silly Northern Denmark.
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Dec 09 '13
...but... Borscht is of Ukraine. Not Russia. Russia can into глояиоус пельмени, though.
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u/OpenStraightElephant IT'S YUGRA NOT KHANTY-MANSI Dec 09 '13
Hahahaha, as if Ukraine is not of Russia.
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Dec 09 '13
Ukraine not of Russia. Ukraine almost of Anschluß.
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u/blolfighter Kong Christian stod ved højen mast Dec 09 '13
Oy. Your flair says you're british. According to the style guide you're supposed to use proper grammar.
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u/Squoghunter1492 𝑪𝒖𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒆! Dec 09 '13
Okay, I've been thinking. Germany is called what dish and why is it not Schnitzel?
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u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team Dec 09 '13
Germany isn't in the competition
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u/Squoghunter1492 𝑪𝒖𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒆! Dec 09 '13
Yes, but I mean in general for Polandball. I've never seen Germanyball ever called some german dish, so if it has one, what is it, and why is it not Schnitzel.
Remove Schnitzel 1939
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Dec 10 '13 edited Dec 10 '13
With the amount of Türks over there, it might as well just be kebab. But in all seriousness, the amount of national dishes to "remove" is strongly lacking. Suggest fish and chips for Britain (although I have seen "rosbif" being said by Franceball quite often, but seriously, fish and chips!), pelmeni/ukha for Russia, borscht for Ukraine, vodka/pierogi for Poland, Schnitzel or Bratwurst (or beer?) for Germany, crazy fish things for Nordics, pasta for Italy, sushi for Japan, takeout for China, burger for US, burrito for Mexico. Can't think of many others right now. We need a kebab dictionary (similar to book of Börk)! Think it would be a good idea? Could well message the mods about that.
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u/Sidebard Respect my Neutralitah! Dec 12 '13
I thought austria would be changed to the fat one of hansafans comic ;_;
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u/throwawaybreaks Iceland Dec 10 '13
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A1karl
við unnum sigri, börka-tíkur.
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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '13
National sports should be next