What is your opinion of simply refusing to answer when asked why they didn't eat everything.
"What do you think of the food?"
response "Thank you for the food!"
No criticism or compliment, just light eating and no opinion offered with the question unanswered. Still "embarrassing" and offensive world-wide in your opinion?

"attempting to embarrass the chef"

Geez, now not only is it some grand insult but also somehow a "embarrassment", I call BS. In fact kind of opposite of embarrassment since it gave everyone else a chance to praise MC. But if you're "embarrassed" because someone said 'your cooking is simpler than they expected', you would have fragile ugly ego, I'd be embarrassed to be embarrassed about such a ultra tiny pittance. Not everyone everywhere is like that. I feel sad for you if you are.

Also es was specifically trying to bait a duel, not 'cause embarrassment', that was made clear in this chapter.

1. Even if es said MC's food was total shit, like eating human shit. MC is a doctor and a martial artist, not a chief. 'Oh noes I'm not so good at one thing though I'm supreme at everything else, oh my poor ego and embarrassment feels!' or even 'One person out of 5 doesn't completely love my cooking! Oh the feels!'

2. The opinion was asked for specifically! It's one thing to have someone volunteer a opinion out of the blue, but if you ask for a opinion, then STFU and accept that opinion (as long as the opinion isn't explicitly mean), don't expect people to lie to you to protect your fragile ego and your embarrassment feels. I find that kind of attitude offensive. If I ask for your opinion on something I did, I want a honest answer. I will be offended if you lie to me despite this.

I wonder what your opinion of the scene would be if es didn't like the food and simply refused to answer when asked why they didn't eat everything.
"What do you think of the food?"
response "Thank you for the food!"
No criticism or compliment, just light eating and no opinion offered with the question unanswered. Still "embarrassing" and offensive world-wide in your opinion?

3,. It's not even a criticism! Literally said "simpler" than expected! (well who knows what the original word was and that meaning)
3.a Simple doesn't mean lesser quality. It means lacking complexity. It means less components in it. You could have a simple food that is scrumptious, the best tasting ever and complex food that tastes terrible.
3.b It's also compared to what they expected, and it was specifically stated that they had high expectations coming in. That is why they sought out MC's cooking. If someone expected your cooking to be mythic and it only was legendary tasting to them, that's still a complement even! Basically said 'MC's cooking suited es taste! Which means they liked it!'

And like I said earlier there are cultures and people where brutal honesty, even unsolicited, is usually accepted. Don't pretend like the whole world is like this ludicrous scene in this comic with a non-chief and company getting really offended over a opinion asked for saying food was slightly simpler than expected.

"is being deliberately rude in any culture."

I disagree. There are cultures where people can be brutally honest with others and that is accepted. Where you could say something tastes like shit and have it just mean you hated the food and nothing more thought of it than that. And of course middle ground as well. Saying something tasted simpler than you expected is on the tame end of offense for most non-asian cultures IMO

What chat? So you're just posting random nonsense for no reason?

Off of follows this comic goes....

Or at least expect a apology for trying to get a duel through provocation instead of just asking for a duel. And I wouldn't explain that I wanted a apology, I'd just say "no" with explaining why "no" and reconsider if I got the apology. Though I feel pretty sure MC will agree to the duel considering how this comic typically goes.

But like I said in another post, I don't even consider this a provocation, es didn't insult MC's cooking. It wasn't even really a "provocation". Everyones overreaction was just so absurd to me.

Maybe it's the translation or cultural differences but I don't see the cause for outrage compared to how the characters are acting.

https://i.postimg.cc/3JtDWhdx/i.png
https://i.postimg.cc/x1qNzZzy/i.png

Literally says it suits his taste. Or at least doesn't not suite his taste. Basically "I expected, something even more complex and fancy as per your reputation" It makes sense that the food wouldn't be that complex since it's something made with supplies in the wilderness, or something like that? Also the word "little" or something equivalent was used as well.

Everyone's acting flabbergasted and even MC gets real angry for a moment. But where's the insult here? If it were me I'd not even notice that some provocation was intended.

What would anger me would be learning that it was meant as a provocation to get a duel. If you want a duel be honest and just request one. I would refuse the duel because he went about requesting one in such a round about dishonest way. Or at least expect a apology for being around about like that and trying to provoke, even if it was such a stupid provocation that it wasn't even insulting and not explain I wanted a apology first.

Actually does he even want a duel?
https://i.postimg.cc/D0M6rXBx/i.png
So put on a display? Well probably not with the bit about 'greatest exchange through martial arts.'

P.S. I know in some asian cultures there is this bit about having to eat everything provided even if not hungry as a matter of manners to the host. Which I find really ludicrous. That might be playing part of this since the whole thing starts with not eating everything.

hmm?

That's not a meme? Or just not "your" meme? Don't get all semantical, if you meant the latter- It's 'yours' in that you posted it. Did you post something that was nonsense to you as well?

Do you know what the beast is?

If I put "god" in place of "bog" in your meme, it doesn't really make any more sense to me.

Do you know what that critter is?

I don't know what those words in your meme are talking about or what beast that is but it's really cute there enjoying the petting.

What's a "bog"? Other than a type of muddy wet environment, which clearly doesn't match content

It could simply be a reality similar to Earths. Why does it have to be back in time if parallel? I don't think it does

Lots of slavery in the world right now.

https://i.postimg.cc/Zq4C0psz/i.png
That's some lazy naming.

You think you can't strengthen say your heart? Pfft

You mean Saedina the assistant of MC and sitting next to a window? I'm sure Seadina didn't know they were after em. We only learn that from the professor right when it's too late.

Ironically the vigilance backfired.

Ah, a tree pervert.

That's not a good recipe for a long term relationship.

Isn't this tournament for older kids/young adults?

I thought MC wanted to get North and South fighting, then wouldn't it be better to allow the information to be handed over?

And I thought MC wanted to keep a low profile and keep being underestimated, winning a tournament isn't a good way to do that