What should I do when relatives criticise foods from other cultures? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a relative makes a critical or dismissive comment about food from another culture, it creates a moment of dissonance for a child. It can plant seeds of confusion, teaching them that it is acceptable to mock what is unfamiliar. In this sensitive situation, your role as a parent is to act as a gentle guide—not only to protect your child’s developing worldview but also to uphold the Islamic etiquette (adab) of gratitude and empathy. How we speak about food, a powerful expression of identity, directly teaches our children how to engage with difference itself. 

Model Respectful Redirection in the Moment 

Your immediate, calm response is the most powerful lesson. If a relative remarks, ‘That smells strange’ or ‘How can people eat that?’, you can gracefully model an alternative perspective. Without being confrontational, you might say with a warm smile, ‘It is a traditional dish from their region. It is amazing how many different, beautiful foods Allah has created for people to enjoy’. This approach does not invite conflict but gently corrects the narrative, showing your child that appreciation is a more noble response than derision. Children absorb the emotional intelligence of adults far more than they do direct lectures. 

Reinforce Core Values in Private 

After the situation has passed, take a moment to speak with your child alone. This private conversation allows you to reinforce the principle without publicly embarrassing a family member. You can say, ‘In our family, we have a very important rule: we never criticise food, because every meal is a blessing from Allah. If we do not like something, we can be quiet, but we must not hurt anyone’s feelings or be ungrateful’. This teaches them that their faith calls for a higher standard of conduct, rooted in humility and thankfulness, not cultural superiority. 

Uphold Manners Without Causing Division 

In extended family settings, maintaining harmony is also a part of good character. Rather than engaging in a harsh correction, use gentle reminders that shift the focus from criticism to gratitude. A simple, positive statement like, ‘Alhamdulillah, Allah provides such a variety of blessings for us all—is that not something to be thankful for?’ can subtly elevate the tone of the conversation. This upholds Islamic principles of good manners while preserving the ties of kinship, teaching your child the wisdom of navigating social challenges with grace. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that all lawful provision (rizq) is a direct blessing from Allah, and our primary response to His blessings should be profound gratitude (shukr). Criticising a form of lawful food, regardless of its cultural origin, is to find fault with a divine provision. This perspective elevates the etiquette of the dinner table from mere politeness to a profound spiritual practice.  

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Maidah (5), Verse 4: 

‘They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods…”’ 

This verse establishes a divine principle: the criterion for lawful food is that it be tayyib—good, pure, and wholesome. The focus is on the intrinsic quality of the food, not its cultural familiarity. You can use this to teach your child, ‘Allah has made many kinds of good and pure foods for people all over the world.  

The ultimate example of etiquette in this matter comes from the character of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself. His conduct was a perfect embodiment of grace and restraint. 

It is recorded in  Sahih Muslim,Hadith2064, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:  

‘…never found fault with food. If he liked it, he ate it, and if he disliked it, he left it.’ 

This perfect Sunnah provides a clear and beautiful lesson. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, even when encountering foods he was not accustomed to, never uttered a word of disparagement. His silence, when he disliked something, was an act of profound kindness, protecting the feelings of the one who had prepared or offered the food. Teaching your child this hadith shows them that true strength of character lies in self-control and that kindness at the table is a sincere and beautiful form of worship.