On Nov 23, 11:13*am, itsjoannotjoann >
wrote:
> On Nov 23, 9:47*am, Lenona > wrote:> On Nov 23, 10:25*am, itsjoannotjoann >
> > wrote:
>
>
> Mortified *_and_ shocked that the invitees didn't show up at their
> door without a food contribution??? * What has the host/hostess have
> to be mortified about?? *The bringing of food to large get togethers
> is done in my family, too, but not just hoping someone will show up
> with the correct for dishes. *The host/hostess in your family doesn't
> request specific dishes and just leaves it up to everyone to bring
> what they hope is a variety?? *


After 60 years of watching/doing the same things in the extended
family, the hosts know what to expect - and so do the guests. We all
know who likes to bring the vegetables and who will bring pies or
other desserts.

The hosts would be shocked if no one brought anything, since it's
usually just RELATIVES who are there, and they've ALWAYS brought
contributions! As I said, no other nuclear family else ever hosts.
This is due to the fact that only one house is BIG enough for more
than a few dinner guests.


> Is this a restaurant or a nursing home?? *People are not allowed to
> fill their own plates???? *Are y'all that messy when serving
> yourselves someone else has to do it for you????????? *

No, we're FORMAL. Everyone but three people or so sits down, partly to
avoid crowding and foot traffic, but it's also gracious to let guests
relax in their seats - especially the oldest ones. The host always
does the carving for the first servings. The two or three volunteers
(I'm often one of them, another would be the hostess) take specific
orders, fill the plates, and serve.

For some reason, I can't remember if we use that method for second
servings, since many don't want seconds, but we DO use it for dessert,
since most people want to wait a while before dessert anyway, and
again, it's faster if most of the guests stay seated.

Thanks to sf for your comments, btw. As well as commentator #40.

Lenona.