Wassup everyone!
It's been under a week since I posted my previous blog post and I missed it so much. So I am back with another one because I could not wait till my exams finished.
So... A few weeks ago I had guests over and it was a bit random because the lady was my mum's cousin's sister-in-law and her family and if you are like me then we hardly have any family in the UK (more like London).
This is pretty much the process of the whole concept of having guests over (Dawah in Arabic or dawat in Bengali):
1. The Discovery
Your parents (or you if you are grown enough) will somehow find the most random person you could think of. "Oh you are my 2nd cousin's granddaughter? We are pretty closely related". Really dad? Anyway so they set a day when they are available to come and time because people work on Sunday afternoon, duh. And then if us kids are lucky enough we will get an early heads up otherwise we find out the day before and by then there is nothing to do but cry and run for your life. I'm joking, it's not that bad.
2. The Shopping
Since they are a big deal and yada yada, your parents will spend their free time grocery shopping from the tomatoes from Lidl to the Koral fish in Green Street fish bazaar. Also, if you are given the responsibility to get something, you better not forget or you are dead. They will probably end up buying things they are not sure about.
3. The Cleaning
Closer to the time everyone has to get involved in cleaning, and I mean proper cleaning. From the living room to the toilet. Even the damn store room like why!?!?!?!? If the house is not spotlessly clean, we will be judged and thought bad the house is when majority of the time they don't give a damn about it.
4. The Cooking
If the guests come for lunch, the cooking will start the night before and if it is dinner then starting to cook in the morning should be enough time. There should be a variety of dishes like plain food such as simple rice and curry or heavy food like pulao or biryani with roast chicken, meat curry, etc, and not to forget the sweet dishes like homemade rasgulla. My aunt makes the spongiest rasgulla, it's amazing. If you have been taught how to work in the kitchen, you are unconsciously expected to help your mum in the kitchen. If you have close family, they will come and help out too so less work for the kids.
5. The Big Moment, The Arrival
When they are 2 minutes away (and by that I mean 10 miles away because they are lost), everyone will be looking out of the windows in all directions or stand in front of the door like it is a big deal (it does not last long). They come and greet and all that jazz. Nothing too exciting for people like me but for the guest and host it's the highlight of the day.
6. The Hosting
Your mum will start to serve the food, you will help her, decorate the table with all the dishes made and the fancy plates you have at home just for guests and etc. Food is served and cheesy or cringy conversations starts and you wish you could disappear but instead you are there with a big fat smile (because you have to or you are rude). This picture probably explains what the hosting is like:
It's been under a week since I posted my previous blog post and I missed it so much. So I am back with another one because I could not wait till my exams finished.
So... A few weeks ago I had guests over and it was a bit random because the lady was my mum's cousin's sister-in-law and her family and if you are like me then we hardly have any family in the UK (more like London).
This is pretty much the process of the whole concept of having guests over (Dawah in Arabic or dawat in Bengali):
1. The Discovery
Your parents (or you if you are grown enough) will somehow find the most random person you could think of. "Oh you are my 2nd cousin's granddaughter? We are pretty closely related". Really dad? Anyway so they set a day when they are available to come and time because people work on Sunday afternoon, duh. And then if us kids are lucky enough we will get an early heads up otherwise we find out the day before and by then there is nothing to do but cry and run for your life. I'm joking, it's not that bad.
2. The Shopping
Since they are a big deal and yada yada, your parents will spend their free time grocery shopping from the tomatoes from Lidl to the Koral fish in Green Street fish bazaar. Also, if you are given the responsibility to get something, you better not forget or you are dead. They will probably end up buying things they are not sure about.
3. The Cleaning
Closer to the time everyone has to get involved in cleaning, and I mean proper cleaning. From the living room to the toilet. Even the damn store room like why!?!?!?!? If the house is not spotlessly clean, we will be judged and thought bad the house is when majority of the time they don't give a damn about it.
4. The Cooking
If the guests come for lunch, the cooking will start the night before and if it is dinner then starting to cook in the morning should be enough time. There should be a variety of dishes like plain food such as simple rice and curry or heavy food like pulao or biryani with roast chicken, meat curry, etc, and not to forget the sweet dishes like homemade rasgulla. My aunt makes the spongiest rasgulla, it's amazing. If you have been taught how to work in the kitchen, you are unconsciously expected to help your mum in the kitchen. If you have close family, they will come and help out too so less work for the kids.
5. The Big Moment, The Arrival
When they are 2 minutes away (and by that I mean 10 miles away because they are lost), everyone will be looking out of the windows in all directions or stand in front of the door like it is a big deal (it does not last long). They come and greet and all that jazz. Nothing too exciting for people like me but for the guest and host it's the highlight of the day.
6. The Hosting
Your mum will start to serve the food, you will help her, decorate the table with all the dishes made and the fancy plates you have at home just for guests and etc. Food is served and cheesy or cringy conversations starts and you wish you could disappear but instead you are there with a big fat smile (because you have to or you are rude). This picture probably explains what the hosting is like:
Yeah it's real!
There is the main course, like the picture above, then the dessert (remember homemade) and the tea and fruits and all that.
7. The Farewell
This process takes a good 30 mins to 1 hr. They never decide to finish their farewell because they will bring up even more conversation topics. At this process the whole "Alright, now it is your turn to come over to ours" happens ( ¬ ¬ ) and it is annoying because the whole concept of attending a dawat is another hassle. I will do another post about attending a dawat if someone invites us so stay tuned! But yeah, they are gone and then it is discussed by the family how good (or very rarely how bad if they are). Most of the time they end up good guests and all is well. If not that is the first and last time you meet them.
It was a little different from my usual posts and I enjoyed thinking back to few weeks ago and writing this. Hope you enjoyed it as well!!!
What happens in your house when someone comes over? Let me know below!
Until next time!
Yours, Nafiza
Hi nafiza your blogs are awsome ksep it up. I don't have much family England too! In Ramazan when my dad's friends come for aftar we all clean the house aswell spotless and cook traditional dishes. The cleaning and preparing is all worth it as that day we get a feast to enjoy hehe.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's good to know I am not the only one with little family in here :D
DeleteLove your post Nafiza. Funny and so accurate!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Stay tuned for future posts
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