Everything is relative

A question often raised when it comes to the connection between Food and Culture, is in what extent does our cultural background affect our cooking (there are, of course, many more questions linked to these two elements). At this point, I guess I have to clarify that I do not talk about cooking or eating a specific meal related to one's origins, which country one comes from and what are the preferences/limitations in one's own house. What I mean is the way one cooks or, actually, how one thinks of cooking. Again, by saying how, I do not refer to the methodology or tools used. I refer to that main tool of all of us, our brain - or is it the heart that is involved here? 

Having lived part of my life in countries of Southern Europe and another part in countries of Northern/Western Europe, these ways and differences strike me at once, especially because of my own personal interest in other peoples' cultures and how these are reflected in everyday life. In fact, I am always fascinated by details that usually go unattended. To me, such small things talk the most and are by far more revealing than greater and planned manifestations. Back to Food, what makes me the strongest impression is how in one part of the world cooking and eating is considered a bare necessity, something to survive by and nothing further, as in other places, it is considered a necessity without which life would not be celebrated. And this affects immediately the quantities of food prepared and offered. 

At the moment, I live in a country where the rule is that each person is allowed one cookie together with the coffee or tea. I want to be fair here though and say that the rule is not always followed - but there is a reason it exists. The reason can be found in the (religious) traditions where any exaggeration is considered a sin, no matter your wealth or social status. You would be frowned upon and possibly viewed as disrespectful, taken into consideration the not-so-blossoming financial situation in the world.

On the other hand, I come from a country where you are literally forced to get drunk because if you deny the drinks offered (with the very reasonable explanation that you need to drive afterwards) you will offend someone to the level that relationships can be broken. Notably, this does not refer to wealthy people who can carelessly spend. The (religious) traditions order that even the poorest person has to offer what is best to please the guests. Hospitality comes above the risk of coming across as a show-off.


It is not my call or my position to judge none of the two perceptions. I have happened to receive all kinds of comments when throwing a party ("You went all in! Nice!" vs "These are way too many things! You didn't think this through!") but I keep having people along regularly, simply because I enjoy it. I have also happened to be on the other side and see the hostess getting desperate because her food was not enough - or so she thought, while the rest of us just found it extremely delicious and could not but lick our plates. The way I see it, Food falls under the general rule of "everything is relative". So, try and keep all other rules aside. Remember that your food is not only supposed to be filling in the stomach but also in the heart. Don't count your bites then, don't calculate the quantities. Fall for what feels right (is this what FFF stands for?) - and then add some more. Always make some more. What is the worst thing that can happen? You have leftovers for the next day, saving you time, money and, above all, from the embarrassment! Take it as an advice coming from my non-scientific but realistic anthropological research. And if you are troubled about what to cook which is both fancy or decent to please your guests and does not leave you with food that cannot be reused, I will be coming back with recipes and ideas! Stay tuned!