Line #72 Main/FoodAsCharacterization


1	Even before we get deep into the story, or sometimes afterwards, an early clue about a character can be presented by how they like their food or drink. Sometimes, the food choice is symbolic, representing something about their personality, affiliation, or true nature. Other times, it's simply a character tic that makes the person more memorable.
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4	!!Sub-tropes:
5	[[index]]
6	* AgeStereotypicalFood: Certain foods are associated with certain ages. Adults liking kiddy foods means they're childish, and a precocious kid will like adult foods.
7	* TheAlcoholic: A character who drinks to excess or can't stop.
8	* AsiansLoveTea: Asian people are avid tea drinkers.
9	* BigEater: A character ([[MrViceGuy heroic]] or [[VillainousGlutton otherwise]]) who eats in large quantities.
10	* BizarreTasteInFood: A character who likes foods in strange combinations.
11	* BritsLoveTea: British people are obsessed with tea.
12	* CityPeopleEatSushi: Eating sushi means you're a sophisticated yuppie.
13	* DoesNotLikeSpam: A character has a strong dislike or outright loathes certain food.
14	* DogFoodDiet: A character is forced to eat dog food out of desperation.
15	* DrinkBasedCharacterization: What drink a character prefers says something about them as a person.
16	* EatDirtCheap: A character eats rocks, highlighting their non-humanity and BizarreAlienBiology.
17	* EatingLunchAlone: Loners, introverts and new kids eat lunch alone at school while sociable people eat with others.
18	* EmptyFridgeEmptyLife: An empty fridge (implying the person eats out a lot or eats poorly) indicates that the character is weird and socially inept, and is single person, artist, or other weirdo.
19	* EvilVegetarian: An evil character's vegetarianism compliments or contrasts with their villainy.
20	* ExoticEntree: An evil character eats food that's immoral just to prepare.
21	* ExtremeOmniGoat: Goats are often portrayed as having an appetite for pretty much anything they can chew on.
22	* ExtremeOmnivore: A character who will eat anything, usually indicating their weirdness or lack of humanity.
23	* FastFoodNation: Americans only eat fast food, highlighting their boorishness.
24	* ForgetsToEat: A character who doesn't think about food, often an AbsentMindedProfessor or workaholic.
25	* FrenchCuisineIsHaughty: People who eat or prepare French food are snobs.
26	* FrozenDinnerOfLoneliness: Eating a frozen dinner as a signal of loneliness.
27	* GeniusSweetTooth: Geniuses love sweets.
28	* GirlsLoveChocolate: All women love chocolate, especially if they're a GirlyGirl.
29	* AGlassOfChianti: WickedCultured villains drink red wine, often while lounging evilly.
30	* GrapesOfLuxury: A character is hand-fed treats to show off their wealth and power.
31	* HauteCuisineIsWeird: Rich people eat very strange things.
32	* HighClassCannibal: Rich people eat human flesh.
33	* IDoNotDrinkWine: A seemingly-normal character has unusual food tastes, hinting that they are actually an alien or supernatural being.
34	* InstantTasteAddiction: Trying a new food and instantly developing an addiction to it.
35	* KidsHateVegetables: Kids have a childish disgust for vegetables.
36	* LuxuriousLiquor: A character drinks expensive alcohol to signal their wealth.
37	* MasochistsMeal: Food that is either ridiculously spicy, foul-smelling, dangerous, or just gross. Only a person who is very tough would dare to eat it.
38	* MascotsLoveSugar: Critters have a massive SweetTooth.
39	* MetalMuncher: A creature that eats metal is usually a very alien and dangerous creature.
40	* MustHaveCaffeine: A character who can't live without caffeine.
41	* NondescriptNastyNutritious: Soldiers and prisoners eat tasteless but filling food.
42	* ObsessedWithFood: A character for who is always thinking about food.
43	* OneTrackMindedHunger: A character for whom food comes above all else.
44	* OvercomplicatedMenuOrder: A character orders something really complicated at a restaurant or cafe, showing that they're pretentious or fussy.
45	* PasteEater: A character eats paste because they are childish or a {{Cloudcuckoolander}}.
46	* PlainPalate: A character who prefers bland foods.
47	* PickyEater: An immature person or TheFinickyOne will only eat a few things.
48	* PovertyFood: A character's diet shows they're poor.
49	* PrefersRawMeat: A character likes their food raw, because they're wild, a BeastMan, or a badass.
50	* RawEggsMakeYouStronger: A character eats raw eggs because they are a body-builder strongman (or want to be one).
51	* RealMenEatMeat: Manly men love meat.
52	* RealMenHateSugar: Manly men don't eat desserts or anything too sweet.
53	* RealMenTakeItBlack: Manly men prefer their coffee black without cream.
54	* RoadkillForDinner: Usually attributed to hillbillies and rednecks.
55	* SatiatingSandwich: Love of sandwiches as a distinguishing character trait.
56	* SinisterSweetTooth: Villains identified by their taste for the sweeter things.
57	* SnootyHauteCuisine: Expensive food used to identify a character as rich and/or a snob.
58	* SoupOfPoverty: Poor people survive on soup.
59	* StockAnimalDiet: Different animals like particular foods.
60	* StockYuck: Certain foods that are stereotyped as disgusting or distasteful.
61	* SweetTooth: Love of sweets as a distinguishing character trait.
62	* TeaIsClassy: Characters who drink tea are sophisticated or wealthy.
63	* TheTeetotaler: A character who doesn't drink alcohol.
64	* ToastOfTardiness: Anime characters who are LateForSchool always eat toast as they run.
65	* TrademarkFavoriteFood: A character is defined by or strongly associated with a particular food.
66	* UnaffectedBySpice: A character eats extremely spicy food without discomfort.
67	* VillainRaisesAToast: Raising a glass shows character's villainy.
68	* VillainousGlutton: A character's gluttony highlights their evil nature.
69	* VirtuousVegetarianism: A character is made vegetarian as a symbol of their inner goodness or purity.
70	* WackyCravings: A character suddenly develops a BizarreTasteInFood because she's pregnant.
71	* WineIsClassy: Characters who drink wine are sophisticated or wealthy.
72	[[/index]]
73	----
74	!!Examples:
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76	[[foldercontrol]]
77	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
78	* ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'': Laios's EstablishingCharacterMoment is when he reveals his [[NightmareFetishist lifelong fascination with monsters]] to his party members, including and especially wanting to know what they taste like. Conversely, the fact that Senshi has lived off the plants and monsters of the titular dungeon for over a decade, and can cook them into surprisingly delicious meals, is an early sign of how [[NatureHero in tune with the dungeon's ecosystem]] he is.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Fan Works]]
82	* ''Fanfic/DungeonKeeperAmi'': Goblins like to eat insects, as their crunchiness goes well with chicken, but also because they're not very civilized, living through banditry, with other species appearing to make civilization.
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
86	* In ''VideoGame/MoshiMonsters'', the movie has [[ADogNamedDog Diavlo]], who likes his sausages burnt "into oblivion", which ties into the fact that he's a Diavlo and has [[PlayingWithFire fire powers]].
87	[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
90	* Probably one of the greatest example is the lunch scene from ''Film/TheBreakfastClub''. Each lunch symbolizes the character and their relationship with their parents.
91	** Andy has a giant lunch made by his parents. It's also not particularly healthy despite being him athlete. It's lunch his parents clearly made for him to maintain his weight, but the high sugar content (cookies and a 6 pack of content) shows they don't really care about his actual wellness, only for him to maintain appearances. Andy also seems unaware of all that's in his lunch, symbolizing his lack of control in his own life.
92	** Claire has sashimi (which she identifies as sushi). A fancy lunch (especially for the time), to showing her parents wealth and desire to show off that wealth.
93	** Bryan has PB and J, with the crusts cut off. Showing his parent's smothering nature and the fact they still perceive him as a child.
94	** Allison disassembles her lunch to make a sandwich of captain crunch and pixie sticks. Symbolizing her rebellious nature and her general weirdness which she does to draw attention.
95	** Bender's parents are neglectful, he therefore has no lunch.
96	* ''Film/Parasite2019'': The Parks are {{Sheltered Aristocrat}}s who keep expensive, premium-quality Hanwoo beef[[labelnote:*]](Which can rival premium Wagyu beef in quality and cost)[[/labelnote]] sirloin in the fridge but thoughtlessly mix it in with instant noodles.
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder:Literature]]
100	* ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'': Richard can't stomach meat because of all the killing he has to do in his job as a war wizard.
101	* In ''Literature/TheWitchInTheCherryTree'', the titular witch prefers her cupcakes burnt. This is apparently a trait among witches, because the normal people refer to the burnt cupcakes as "witch cakes".
102	* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Harry Dresden is a BlueCollarWarlock with little disposable income whose tastes run in two directions - a magical TruceZone pub with top-notch steak sandwiches and [[{{Beergasm}} phenomenal beer]], and fast food. In ''Literature/{{Changes}}'', he insists on meeting TheDon Johnny Marcone at a Burger King. Even after he has a more stable income, he still loves to order from the extremely cheap Pizza 'Spress, precisely ''because'' it's terrible pizza that was all he could afford in his younger days, and thus it satisfies a deep nostalgia.
103	* ''Literature/TheKingkillerChronicle'': Kvothe's OrphansOrdeal and subsequent money troubles left him fond of {{Mundane Luxur\|y}}ies like snacking on fresh apples (rather than scrounging for discarded cores) and treating his friends to dinner at a nice (but not fancy) restaurant.
104	* ''Literature/TheRavenTower'': When the heir to the throne, Mawat, suffers his first major setback, he locks himself in his room and leaves his meals outside to spoil. It's an early sign of how he takes his rank and its privileges for granted, and of how his HairTriggerTemper often works against him.
105	-->'''Servant:''' If he doesn't come out in an hour or two you should just drink the milk, because it will go bad. I don't know why Cook even sent it. We hardly get any fresh milk, and it's wasted on this.\
106	'''[[HypercompetentSidekick Eolo]]:''' He likes milk. He likes it a little sour. ''[the servant rolls her eyes]''
107	* ''Literature/TheKingstonCycle'' by C.L. Polk: [[ShelteredAristocrat Grace]]'s [[UptownGirl relationship]] with [[IntrepidReporter Avia]] is always underscored by the fact that Grace is a tremendously wealthy noblewoman and Avia went from RichesToRags. It rises to the surface when Grace's servants serve them a SimpleYetOpulent breakfast, including candied oranges, while outside, much of the country is being pushed towards starvation by a brutal winter.
108	* The uniqueness of the various [[Literature/ExtraordinaryAdventuresOfTheAthenaClub Athena Club]] girls is emphasized by their dietary preferences. Mary ForgetsToEat; Diana eats enough for three women, mostly sweets; Catherine consumes only meat, fish, and dairy; Justine is a staunch vegetarian; and Beatrice subsists on steeped vegetation.
109	[[/folder]]
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111	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
112	* ''Series/{{Forever\|2014}}'': Used regularly.
113	** Henry drinks cognac "the older the better" or orders whiskey by name and year, showing his vast knowledge and sophistication, as well as making coffee or tea at home through more elaborate processes instead of drip/instant or tea bags, a holdover from his earlier days when such conveniences weren't available. He's shown at least once enjoying a full English breakfast, complete with tomato and beans.
114	** Jo, meanwhile, orders "whiskey, whatever's well" and pigs out on a gyro that nauseates Henry. She's known for eating most of her meals at her desk, showing that she has little life outside of work since her husband died.
115	** Abe cooks, a lot, using food to show love by making Henry's favorites after unpleasant deaths and making him a soup "guaranteed to cure colds and bullet wounds" after he's been shot. His cooking skills clearly came down from his mother, showing how close they were, and how much she is still missed when he makes dishes she used to make.
116	* ''Series/{{Hannibal}}'': Hannibal Lecter is a ManOfWealthAndTaste and a SupremeChef whose meals are always meticulously-crafted FoodPorn. Unfortunately, to match his love of being a DevilInPlainSight, they usually have a [[TheSecretOfLongPorkPies secret ingredient]].
117	* ''Series/TheLastOfUs2023'': The [[HiddenDepths first sign]] that Bill is more than just a CrazySurvivalist is when he grudgingly allows Frank to stay for lunch, then comes out with an [[SupremeChef exquisitely cooked meal]] and [[WineIsClassy wine pairing]]. Frank is {{stunned silen\|ce}}t, and by the end of the day, [[ThroughHisStomach they're in a relationship]].
118	-->'''Frank:''' A man who knows to pair rabbit with a beaujolais!\
119	'''Bill:''' I know I don't seem like the type.\
120	'''Frank:''' No, you do.
121	* In ''Series/TheOfficeUS'', Michael's preference for chain restaurants is a sign of his immaturity and lack of sophistication; for example, when he goes to New York City on a business trip, he gets a "New York Slice" from Sbarro, and uses the local Chili's both when he has a meeting with a potential major client, and when hosting the annual Dundie awards.
122	* ''Series/{{Poirot}}'': The titular Belgian detective is [[TheDandy effete]], sophisticated, and as fastidious about his food as [[ObsessivelyOrganized about everything else]]. He seeks out skilled [[FrenchCuisineIsHaughty continental chefs]]; places highly specific orders, once refusing to eat eggs of unequal sizes; and calls [[ForeignQueasine English cuisine]] nothing more than ''food'', to the bemusement of his English friends. Nonetheless, when Hastings takes him out for midnight fish and chips after a case, he [[NotSoAboveItAll digs in with a secret grin]].
123	* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': The Winchester brothers are blue-collar [[HunterOfMonsters monster-hunters]] who [[HomelessHero live on the road]], so they tend towards simple restaurant fare and fast food. Dean loves burgers so much that one angel tries to [[FoodAsBribe bribe him]] with a platter from his favourite restaurant, while Sam, the more conscientious and forward-thinking of the pair, tries to balance out the heart-stopper meals with salads.
124	* ''Series/{{You\|2018}}'': Love believes in this very heavily. She insists on taking Joe to restaurants all around Los Angeles to find his "perfect bite", analyzing him all the way through. In the end, the dinner she makes for him encompasses not only what he likes in a meal, but his personality and interests in general--old fashioned, done right, not gimmicky, but ''real.''
125	[[/folder]]
126
127	[[folder:Video Games]]
128	* In ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'', the main characters are given an opportunity to order food on the Grandship. The suave Ringabel gets spiced meat dishes, the cute and naïve Edea gets a fluffy omelet and a sweet parfait, country boy Tiz gets big filling meat dishes and humble Agnès orders a small vegetarian meal.
129	[[/folder]]
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131	[[folder:Webcomics]]
132	* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': The two-toe LizardFolk cultivate certain [[http://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic/ch15/ch15_14.html beetles]] for food. It's an ordinary part of their diet, but [[KidsAreCruel children mock them]] for "eating roaches", and they face much worse FantasticRacism from adults in the story.
133	[[/folder]]
134
135	[[folder:Western Animation]]
136	* In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'', FatBastard Steven Mandragora is eating a massive amount of raw oysters as he's interrogated by Agent Faraday. While making suggestive comments to Black Canary, he mentions to Green Arrow that he likes his oysters "young and sweet."
137	* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' episode "Project Loud House", each of Lincoln's sisters likes her eggs cooked differently (except the twins, who both like theirs hard-boiled). Some of these preferences don't say anything about their personalities, but two do, namely Luan who likes hers in a cube shape (or "funny side-up") which ties into her quirky personality, and Lucy who likes hers burnt because she's a goth and therefore likes fire and the colour black.
138	[[/folder]]

Context Main / FoodAsCharacterization