I used to have an apparently naive opinion the BBQ was an Australian tradition, or at least part of our cultural identity. Pretty silly really when you consider the real origin of BBQ… Cave man. It will never be proven but right after cave man discovered fire I reckon he discovered the joys of BBQ.
Therefore it is no wonder that the joys of BBQ seem universal. Almost everybody (vegetarians probably don’t) enjoys a BBQ. Semi-smoked, half-raw, charcoal-tinged meat is in our origins. The Japanese certainly enjoy a BBQ as much as Australians and I was lucky enough to get an invite to one just last week.
The whole roast chicken with vegies in the dutch oven was my favourite.
Nomad-Odyssey 
Yea, I too would imagine that almost every culture has some sort of tradition for cooking outside over an open flame. Whether it’s actually “BBQing” or “Grilling” probably isn’t worth the debate. Still, I did read this somewhere: “What Westerners call smoking, Southerners call BBQ and what Westerners call BBQ, Southerners call grilling. Northerners don’t make these distinctions because they just can’t cook.” LOL!
Absolutely Paul, absolutely!
Maate, there is something to be said for Semi-smoked, half-raw, charcoal-tinged veggies as well 🙂