Transcultural Thanksgiving

My Aunt and Uncle always do this awesome multinational Thanksgiving where they invite a whole crowd of international professors and students from my Uncle's university and ask everyone to bring a traditional dish from their culture in addition to the usual dinner that my Aunt and Uncle prepare. This year they had representatives from China, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Brazil, South Africa, Bulgaria, Cameroon, and Canada!

I think that is an incredible way to celebrate Thanksgiving.


I "only" had Filipinas and Pakistanis at my Thanksgiving dinner this year. They were so sweet and told us about some traditional dishes from their countries (I didn't ask anyone to bring anything) which was very nice.

We also had some British men whom I adore and are hysterical. They take any and every opportunity to make fun of each other especially but other friends as well. They wore crazy ugly Christmas sweaters and then proceeded to complain the whole time about everything in a very good natured way! I know it is hard to understand how complaints can be entertaining, but it just fits with British humor I guess. They hated the marshmallows in the sweet potatoes and couldn't believe anyone would serve a main dish with marshmallows in it. They also had to point out that the Spaniards started celebrating Thanksgiving in the 1500s so clearly the Americans are just copycats :). When we were all saying what we're thankful for (which of course they thought was a ridiculous ceremonial thing to do and totally ruined the dinner), one of them said that he was thankful to live with the other Brit, "M", because M's life is such a disaster that it makes him feel better about his own! We were all rolling. They are always in competition with each other to crack a better joke.



I had another "intercultural incident" this year a few days before the big dinner when my friend warned me that two of her (non American) friends were very picky eaters and would probably not like the food. She explained that they don't eat vegetables and would also probably not like Turkey. She told me that they would eat mashed potatoes but that I should add another dish for them just in case. I asked her, "Like what?"

Her answer? "Mac n Cheese, or maybe order a pizza."

Holy Moley

"No."

Now, I am all for cultural understanding and being accommodating of guests, but I DO NOT SERVE PIZZA AT THANKSGIVING. Besides, who doesn't eat vegetables?! Now, if it had been a request from someone who simply isn't accustomed to the American palate and was asking for some rice and/or simple vegetables that were more familiar to them, then I would be totally understanding. I would even be thrilled if someone wanted to bring a curry or other traditional food. But some spoiled adult women who eat at McDonald's all the time and wanted me to make Mac n Cheese?
NO WAY.

I told her to tell them what was on the menu, and that if it wasn't okay with them, they could bring something that they wanted to eat. I ended up having to accommodate their desire for sprite and coke, but I got over it.

Please tell me that you would not have agreed to serve Mac n Cheese and Pizza at Thanksgiving!