The Chinese are incredibly imaginative when it comes to food, arguably the world's best. Who else could create so much art and romance around something so basic and essential? They transform even the most mundane ingredients into exquisite dishes, captivating countless guests.
Indeed, the Chinese are a romantic people, and even the most basic daily activity—eating—is given a special status. At the dinner table, people treat it as an opportunity to appreciate art and experience romance! They consider the food as a true work of art, paying attention not only to the taste, texture, color, aroma, and appearance, but also to the grandeur and atmosphere of the table. They strive to please not only the eyes, nose, and ears, but also the stomach and the heart. As you can see, whether in high-end restaurants and hotels or ordinary eateries, they are always packed with distinguished guests, enjoying exquisite dishes together. Guests, while enjoying the allure of the food, let their thoughts wander freely, exploring every imaginable realm until they are all bloated and staggering, truly reaching the romantic state of "a dazzling array of flowers!"
Perhaps people are chivalrous, perhaps they can't bear to damage these works of art, perhaps they can't bear to swallow these exquisite treasures, so they display "style" and leave a large portion of these works of art on the table. As a result, these works of art quickly become piles of unpleasant odors, eventually becoming "great works of art" that end up alongside swill, pigs, dogs, and flies. Ultimately, this results in one province wasting 5,000 tons of food a day, with economic waste exceeding 1 billion yuan in six months – a "great romantic state." If one province is like this, the situation nationwide is even worse! How can such "romance" not be heartbreaking?
Our country is not yet wealthy; only a small group of people are entitled to experience this kind of romance, and the "romance" of this small group has already caused enormous waste to society. Imagine if our society entered a prosperous and comfortable era, and everyone experienced this kind of "romance"—how wonderful would that be? However, while guests are savoring art and experiencing romance, countless people nearby are struggling for basic necessities, worrying about their children's education and their family's medical care. In such a situation, would guests still have the mood to appreciate art and experience romance?
In today's society, which strongly advocates for a conservation-oriented society, guests can continue to appreciate art and experience romance. But they should not violate social morality and customs, mistaking the sour for art and the outdated for romance!
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