anywho, I was packing up, getting read to go and Lena (my 2 morning a week nanny) asked what I was doing.
"Oh, I am going to a potluck"
"what is this 'potluck'?"
"it is where you get together at someones house and each person brings a dish to share"
(frowning) "you bring your own food?"
"well yeah, but everyone shares"
"oh! I saw this on an American Movie! everyone walking in holding pots of food!" (miming people walking holding pots and laughing)
"yeah - thats it. Potlucks are great!" (feeling a little defensive - no one mocks the potluck!) I explain that they are great for schools or churches, large groups/family reunions, everyone brings something and there is enough for everyone, you get to try new food, no one person has to cost or time burden of having to feed everyone, etc.
"why is it called 'potluck?'"
"because you are lucky if you get your pot back?" I say chuckling- har har, I know. Lena didnt see the joke.
Then I make my mistake.
I say "they are also really nice if you want to have a party, or people over, but dont want all the work of having to prepare everything, you just make a main dish, then call it a potluck and thats it - easy peasy"
"Kat" she says solemnly shaking her head (I even think I heard a tongue click) "this is not Russian. . . . . At. All."
While I am at it, I go all in and explain to her about how once in Seattle I had a couple of Russian families over for dinner and made the mistake of serving the food buffet style. Also not Russian, at. all. One of the women politely told me that I must serve the food to each person. whoops. Lena remarks as she shakes her head that she has also seen this manner of serving food in an American movie.
So one of the things I thought was funny about this was that she had at least seen the idea of potlucks in movies. She noticed it. I probably saw the same movie and didnt even think - oh a potluck. She saw it and thought about it, and remembered it. Crazy Americans making people bring their own food to a party, making them get their own food!
Frankly I prefer to serve myself. That way I have the option of taking what I want, as little or as much, without the pressure of having to eat everything on my plate so as not to offend the hostess. I like it, so I like to provide my guests with the same option. You know what you want to eat better than I do, so take what you want, leave what you want.
Apparently no very russian. at. all.
*(I use nigella lawsons recipe from her book Feast. I just added chopped spinach that I previously wrapped in a dishtowel and squeezed all the liquid out of and some sauteed onions.)
Funny how we all have our own ways but that's what makes it all so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI also prefer to serve myself whether at a sit down dinner with the food is serving dishes in the center of the table or a true buffet. I do not and will not eat beets. Hate them and the odor from them. That in itself would offend a Russian I'm sure.
The Russian dinner guest was rude (IMO) telling you how you should serve your dinner guests. She was a guest in your house and should have gone with the flow.
How was the potluck luncheon?
I think in British English "Pot Luck" means lucky chance or try it and see so maybe that's where the name for the Lunch came? Is it organized by a German Mother who has a son? Do you to the Friday groups don't see you on Wednesdays. We met once I invited you for coffee but never heard again. Hope you are well?
ReplyDeleteNow I am feeling really badly. All of our Russian School events are potlucks (and I MEAN PotLUCK) We don't even organize it so while it usually works out beautifully, occasionally we have mostly desserts, or mostly bread...though, to think of it, neither have upset people too much!
ReplyDeleteI notice at our Russian restaurant, though, that food is served in a large platter and people help themselves. Definitely in COURSES, however....one dish, time passes, another dish. That's the thing that seems different to me. However, something I like a LOT.
You dont remember your baptism, but, the father of the Godfather (following this), was from Greece. He went and sat in the car, he was so offended that we served the dinner buffet style! There were about 75 people there, for crying out loud!!
ReplyDeleteGreeks dont do pot luck either.
Some that have been here a while will bring something sometimes.
For your readers info, we have huge Greek Easter events. Roast hold lamb, etc. We always provide all the food.
Cant help it if my cousins bring desserts can I.
Lillya doesnt have any problem eating buffet style at my house!
I hate it that foreign women always click their tongue about American traditions:)
I always thought that it was potluck as it "see what you get, you might get lucky and get something yummy"
ReplyDeleteBut I love them, non-Russian though they may be.
I'm with mimi- i thought it was you might get lucky with your food for the evening- or, like annie pointed out, it might be all dessert. or all bread. we have potlucks all the time at our Greek Orthodox Church (that is made up of mostly american converts). And, I have never seen or heard your mother in law complain about potlucks or buffet style eating.
ReplyDeletethis is what i say, "whatever". we like it.
Agreed that the idea is you might get lucky and find a dish you like to eat.
ReplyDeleteI had some potluck type open-house parties when we first got to Moscow. A couple of Russians said to me that they were so impressed that I opened my home to relative strangers (a lot of people I only knew from the forums and some I had not yet met in person . . . that was the point). Anyhow, I think they really thought I was crazy.
I think it is a difference in motivation. You go to potluck (new word for me and so juicy!) to 100% enjoy grouping. Russian hostess invites people to show how good she is in hostessing. How can you get the most of all that "Oh, ah, so yummy!"? Only when you responsible for the whole table. It is the tradition here. I saw the potlucks in Am. films and now we follow them with great pleasure. Great find.
ReplyDeletethe lunch was awesome, by the way!
ReplyDeletehello englishman - no, it is organized through awo (American Womens Organization) we meet on weds and I have been going to a friday baby group. tues and thurs I have been trying to make it to the gym - just been keeping busy!
yeah, lilia is pretty open minded and has a more "when in rome" attitude.
Annie - somehow even if it is all bread it works out. I think what you are talking about is "family style" serving. I enjoy that too - take what you want and pass it on.
good point Irina - I have noticed that Russians rarely arrive empty handed - while it may not be a dish they prepared, they may have a nice box of chocolates, flowers, or bottle of vodka on hand!
I go to the gym near you? See my blog review
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/english-man-in-moscow
There is also very posh all marble and elegant one near you called I think "world Fitness" but for the creme of Moscow and 3,000 euro per year NO kids allowed! in the pool.
Pot luck sound fun but I could not face cooking something and take it on the metro with a kid it would be logistically and physically impossible but enjoy it.
Such an important cultural observation! I find in Russia it's harder to transport hot meals (as the previous commenter mentioned), especially if you are going to someone's house after work. You would have to cook something in the morning and refrigerate it somewhere...
ReplyDeletePotlucks may not have caught on, but on the other hand you MUST bring something when a guest in a Russian home. It is just usually something for tea. And I suppose the hostess wouldn't remind the guest. As Irina said, the hostess wants to show off.
I have seen "buffet" style in Russia at larger gatherings. Isn't that what they call "шведский стол"?