The majority of the video bloggers originate from North America, Europe or Australia. The level of cultural sensitivity displayed by the travel video bloggers differed. The degree of cultural sensitivity exhibited by the travel vloggers was assessed based on their ability to recognize and respect cultural differences while refraining from making any subjective evaluations. Video bloggers that had previously traveled to the country, or nearby countries who spoke the native language were more culturally sensitive than those who had never been to the country before.
“Unbelievable Chinese Bug Market in Yunnan” by Fragrant Mandarin. Youtube
The Video Blogger above is from China, and visiting a Chinese street market. Although, the vlogger indicated that she had never tried insects, she was respectful while eating. She asked the bug vender questions and spoke in the native language.
Some travelers were able to reflect on how their identity shaped their view on eating insects, despite being not as well traveled, but tended to have more visceral reactions to eating insects. Westerners share their complex relationship with insects as food, which is reflected by U.S. vlogger Christine Kaaloa, “You know for me being a Westerner it’s just a mental block in my head, because we’re, I’ve not been eating those as snacks, but in many countries, especially in Asia, deep fried insects are kinda like a good snack.” (Eating Bugs in Thailand | 6 Must Try Bugs in Thailand. GRRRL TRAVELER. Youtube). GRRRL TRAVELER, Christine Kaaloa, is not accustomed to eating insects, but after trying multiple insect dishes while in Thailand, she views insects as a possible snack. Kaaloa’s videos do not show her speaking the local language, which could be a reason for her lack of connection with the locals. On the other hand, Canadian travel vlogger, Smiling Albino, is able to communicate with residents during his trip to Thailand. Through his interactions, he learns about insect farming and how insects provide a source of protein for farmers to sustain their physical labor, as evidenced by his conversation with a local insect seller (Long Krung – Episode 2 – Eating Insects in Thailand. Smiling Albino. Youtube.)
Not all of the video bloggers were able to see through their cultural lens, however. For instance, the European video blogger, Supergray2001, makes multiple offensive remarks in their video above, while traveling in China. While visiting a street market, they state,”Yeah it smells more Chinesey now” and “I mean at home restaurants will get shut down for having a cockroach in the kitchen, yet here it’s a starter” (An Idiot Abroad- Chinese Delicacy. Supergray2001. Youtube). The statements are offensive because he does not acknowledge insects as a valuable food source. Supergray2001 pokes fun at Chinese native eating insects near him in the street market, but does not attempt to eat an insect himself. Mocking Chinese culture validates perceived “superiority.” His statements are intended to “other” the Chinese people, as he believes European food should be the standard. He does not consider the historical or cultural reasoning behind why someone might eat insects rather than the preferred Western livestock.