Proving Prowess Through Spicy Food

LONDON, Oct. 20, 2006— -- Did you know that men lie about the amount of hot and spicy food they eat? Five million men in Britain hold bragging rights to how much spicy food they can tolerate, all to impress their dates and girlfriends.

That's according to Domino's Pizza, which recently commissioned research on this.

Why do men exaggerate and lie about something like this? Is it a male chauvinistic, competitive streak or an automatic reflex that kicks in when a large amount of alcohol requires the hottest chili curry on the menu?

Curious, I visited a popular curry house in the Hammersmith area of London to find out, interviewing diners who ranged in age from 18 to 30.

Twenty-two-year old Jon was out and about with a group of his friends after they'd all had drinks. "I think it's the lad thing when you go out with your mates and have a few jars and then go off for a steaming curry -- the hotter the better," he said. "Besides, you're all tanked up, and you're with your mates, and you gotta impress them!"

His friends agree. Clearly intoxicated, they say it's the need to prove your prowess or manliness that is practically endemic to British culture. "A guy has to be seen to show off to his friends, and if he can't do that with an expensive car or a nice house, then the thing to do, it seems, is to eat the hottest chilies in front of his friends that are available during a meal," sais Ken.

However, Chris and wife Jenny, also at the restaurant, disagreed. "I think it's OK to consume hot food, but it shouldn't become a competitive sport. Youngsters these days feel everything should be consumed in vast quantities without disregard for their health," Chris said.

His wife nods in silent agreement when I ask her whether she allows her husband to eat a hot curry. "I do", she said, "but only once in a while, and then he sleeps in the spare room!"

So lets take a step back here. How did the chilies make their way to Britain, to our restaurants, market stalls and supermarkets to feed our near-masochistic nature?