Is baking only a women’s forte? Because whenever I tell people that my brother bakes pineapple tarts, they’ll express astonishment or disbelief.
Like over the weekend when I went for a haircut, one of the girls at the salon had asked me if I wanted to buy pineapple tarts that she has baked. I told her no, because my brother has already baked some for me. And her reactions were as expected.
“Huh? Your brother? Why is a man baking these???”
And why not? My brother has always love arts, crafts and cooking. In fact, he’s the who taught me how to draw and paint, and he’s the only one who expresses interest in my mum’s recipes. Come to think of it, maybe he could have more opportunities to excel in these areas if he were born a female.
Well, I know. It’s a gender stereotype. People appear odd when they don’t fit into the standard pigeonhole even though what they’re doing could be absolutely normal. And much as I like to think that I’m open-minded, I sometimes succumb to these trappings in weak moments too. Blame it on human nature lah.
Anyway, my brother makes excellent yu sheng salad too and I’m looking forward to having it next week!
My brothers are good in cooking and has very good sense in art too.
However, I never feel this is unusual strength in guy. And aint most of the cook, sous chef, patissier etc around the world are male
Comment by wtpg — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 @ 7:54 pm
i grew up in a household where the men cook good and they prefer to potter in the kitchen. so i had this skewed idea of the world. i must have subconsciously wanted to date men who can cook!
Comment by imp — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 @ 9:25 pm
I want a brother who would do something..!! just anything..! my mum spoils the boys . .they donch have to do nothing at home.. not even the bed..!!!! yup..!! crazy eh..?
Comment by Mama BoK — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 @ 9:39 pm
Same boat. My brother cooks — he’s a chef, so you can just imagine the kind of teasing I get too.
Comment by Irene — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 @ 9:00 am
I don’t think like that because when you think about all the restaurant / bakeries….there’s men in the kitchen…hehehe Its nice that guys know how to cook / bake.
Comment by ilovepearly — Sat, 2 Feb 2008 @ 11:06 pm
wtpg: You’re right! Most of the chefs are men!
imp: And you’re doing exactly that girl!
MB: Yeh, I understand. Some mums of the older generation just favor boys and let them indulge…at the expense of their sisters!
Irene: But there should be less reason to tease since your brother is cooking professionally no?
ilovepearly: You’re right! But I guess pple are less able to accept when a man cooks or bakes as a hobby.
Comment by sesame — Sun, 3 Feb 2008 @ 8:08 pm