Idli Called 'Boring' By British Professor, Twitter Provides A Reality Check
Food unites, divides and can even lead to rows. That is just what has happened on Twitter. One could call it 'Idligate'.
Food unites, divides and can even lead to rows. That is just what has happened on Twitter. One could call it 'Idligate'.
Twitter
So what happened? Well, Zomato posted a Tweet saying "What's that one dish you could never understand why people like soo much?"
Twitter
Well, one professor from Britain came up with this answer:
Idli are the most boring things in the world. https://t.co/2RgHm6zpm4
¡ª Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
Needless to say, there were those on Twitter who decided to provide a reality check. This is what they said:
Clueless white boy. https://t.co/FiOHhwDFMc
¡ª Monk (@NinjaFutureWar) October 7, 2020
Not just Biriyani...whole of South India is united through idli?? https://t.co/Ljp4uwiooa
¡ª S.R.Prabhu (@prabhu_sr) October 7, 2020
Do not invoke the wrath of South India (and the greater South Indian diaspora). https://t.co/PhSMCw7Wzf pic.twitter.com/LbBv2aRKdP
¡ª Sri Baqri (Narasimhan) (@Sri_Baqri) October 7, 2020
I think I've encountered the most offensive take on Twitter. https://t.co/jRb2xI3mX1
¡ª Ishaan Tharoor (@ishaantharoor) October 6, 2020
In fact, even Shashi Tharoor joined in after his son Ishan had an opinion. Check it out:
Yes, my son, there are some who are truly challenged in this world. Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste & refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal. Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what Life can be. https://t.co/M0rEfAU3V3
¡ª Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 7, 2020
But Anderson was not to be cowed down and he let out a series of tweets in response:
p.s. Before the whole of south India attacks me, can I just say that I love dosa and appam and basically all south Indian food. But idli (and puttu for that matter) are insufferable.
¡ª Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
One problem with pissing off south Indian twitter is that they are in literally every timezone - even when India sleeps, the irate replies keep coming! ?
¡ª Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 6, 2020
Oh dear... https://t.co/9Ra7OTIy02
¡ª Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
Oh no, I feared that the world's most famous idli evangelist would see this after @ishaantharoor tweeted it! Coincidentally 'this poor man' is currently re-reading one of your books which I've set my students to read for a class next week! pic.twitter.com/30vqyrEQQk
¡ª Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch. I'm very sorry to report that my unpopular - or "blasphemous", as some have said - opinion remains unchanged. #sorrynotsorry https://t.co/qx2VRJw6EO pic.twitter.com/TmIvxNWaYx
¡ª Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
Needless to say, it was all in good fun. After all, everyone has their own preferences. But next time someone decides to downplay a food, best to be ready for the backlash. Freedom of expression does not mean freedom from criticism at the end of the day.
