Tourist Sticky Situation Eating Zongzi Sparks Online Amusement

A video circulating widely on social media has captured a humorous cultural moment: a Serbian basketball coach teaching in China encountering a traditional rice dumpling, or zongzi, during the Dragon Boat Festival — with a rather unconventional eating technique that amused many online viewers.

Embracing a New Tradition

According to reports from Shanxi News, the man was gifted two zongzi by a parent during the festival and decided to try one as an afternoon snack while at his training venue in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. In the clip, he unwraps the zongzi but then proceeds to put the entire dumpling, leaves and all, directly into his mouth.

Because the bamboo leaves encasing the sticky rice are tough and not edible, the coach appears puzzled and uncomfortable as he tries to bite and chew the inedible leaves. Ultimately, he spits the leaf out, with an expressive grimace showing his confusion.

Netizens’ Reactions and Laughter

The video quickly became a hit online, with many viewers finding the coach’s attempt both endearing and amusing. Comments poured in, with some urging someone to teach him the proper way to eat zongzi: “Please tell him how to eat it so he doesn’t waste such a delicious Chinese treat!”

Others joked, “Foreigners say Chinese zongzi are hard to chew and taste like grass!” and “After returning home, this foreigner said, ‘I bought zongzi in China, and it was really hard to eat!’” The clip provided a lighthearted glimpse into cultural exchanges and the challenges of trying unfamiliar traditional foods.

Cultural Traditions Meet New Faces

Zongzi is a quintessential food during the Dragon Boat Festival, with a history spanning over two thousand years. Wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves and filled with glutinous rice and various fillings, it is steeped in symbolism and tradition.

This humorous incident highlights how traditional customs encounter fresh perspectives, sparking both laughter and cultural curiosity. It’s a reminder of the joy and occasional awkwardness that comes with sharing heritage across cultures.