In Our World/Table of Contents/Type 1 Chapters/North America/United States of America/Virginia/Norfolk/Old Dominion University/International/Parties
From WITTIE
Parties are everywhere in America. The food in American parties may be quite different from those in Asian countries. People in America hold parties whenever they want. If a idea come out this morning that they want to hold a party tonight, then what they need to do is just to call their friends, prepare some fast food such as hamburgers, pizza , chicken wings and drinks.
There are many interesting types of parties in America. One of them is called potluck. People who are invited to the party should bring some food to the host’s house. The invitations are always given a week ago so that people can have enough time to prepare the food and to decide what kind of food to bring. Everyone should notice the host what kind of food they will bring before the party and the host will let others know the final menu to make sure that the same food will not be brought to the party. Barbecue is another usual party type because almost every American family has a back yard. In china, people barely eat outdoors which seems to be one of American's favorite. What can be better than a barbecue on the beach? The beach is definitely one of the best locations to have a barbecue. After all, the nature of grilling and barbecuing as a cooking technique is that it's fun, exciting and very rewarding. Big or small, a barbecue party requires an adequate amount of planning and preparation to ensure that everything is laid out properly. The hosts usually prepare the food for the barbecue party, but it will be very kind if the guests can bring some drinks such as beers to the party.
I was invited to a party after a wedding rehearsal last week because my husband was the groomsman. The couple ordered a wonderful restaurant and all the bridesmaids and groomsmen are invited to the party. We ate around a big table, talked a lot and shared the sweet time. After that, the couple gave everyone a prepared gift for thanks. What is interesting is that all bridesmaids and groomsmen of this wedding are married. It is different from the custom in many Asian countries where all of them should be single. So do not feel weird when you are invited to a wedding party and find that a child call the bridesmaid or the groomsman dad or mom.
What’s more, it is very important to make yourself comfortable in a party. Once I think America people prefer talk to food. If a party is held by young people, they will not sit around the table and stick to their seat whole night even when they are talking. They would rather to hold their plates, walk around the house and talk with each other. In many Asian countries people are educated that they cannot leave the table when they are eating because it is misbehavior. Abroad students from Asian countries may need some time to get used to this kind of American party and then feel easy in the party. American party is also one aspect of America culture, we should know something about it, try to accept this type of party, join it and enjoy our abroad study life in America.
