Indian Hospitality
Do you love food? I don’t just mean do you like to eat, I mean do you love food? Do you love making things for people and take pride when you watch them enjoy it? If so, maybe you’re a little more Indian than you think. One thing you will notice about Indian events is that it’s typically around food. I’ve never been to an Indian get together that didn’t include a large feast of some kind. I figured it was just a coincidence at first. I finally figured it out after a few years when our son Liam had his second birthday.
I had planned this big party. It was also a bit of a going away party for us since we were moving that same week. My husband wasn’t incredibly interested in the party planning. He was more interested in what we were getting our little toddler.
The day of the party rolled around and we spent the whole morning setting up. I laid out the snacks and the cake. We finished and I sat down with a sigh of relief. Then Joel came in asking where all the food was. Did he miss the adorable treats I decorated our table with? I annoyingly pointed to the table. He couldn’t believe it. He assumed we would have a huge lunch for everyone.
Wouldn’t everyone be hungry?
I reminded him that most kids parties were this way. We hadn’t planned a dinner party, rather a toddler’s birthday party. He looked at me like I lost my mind and I figured he had no idea what he was talking about.
I quickly noticed the common theme amongst all Indian parties in the few years following. Joel’s mom came for his college graduation party and quickly jumped in when she realized I hadn’t planned on dinner for it. I figured snacks all the way. Nope. She changed that to a HUGE Indian feast. I didn’t complain because who doesn’t want massive amounts of Indian food?!
Indian families love food and love getting together to eat with one another. It’s not just about feeding people, it’s the fact that sitting around together and enjoying a meal is special.
Most of the times I’ve gone to Joel’s families houses, I’ve been pregnant. I always crave Indian food while I’m pregnant. When we all get together for dinner, his family is constantly asking if I want to eat or if I want more. I was the size of a house, so I knew I didn’t look malnourished, yet they were always offering food. Joel explained to me that in Indian culture, it’s rude to not offer food.
Indian hospitality is beautiful. They’re always making sure you are full and taken care of. This is something I’m trying to teach my kids.
When someone comes to our house, I want them to ask if they’d like a drink. I want them to know they are a host when people are at our house. They don’t get to be selfish when others are here. They need to make sure our guests are taken care of. I love that Indian culture will teach this to my children.