My friend Rosa from Jalisco,Mexico is cooking tamales for my entire family tomorrow! (Her food is amazing!) I just wondered if there was anything I should know about customs,etiquette,etc. & what would be a nice hostess gift?There is a pretty big language barrier & yet we have become good friends & so I want to behave politely while visiting her home. Thanks in advance!
2007-08-10 05:00:58 · 12 answers · asked by Lisa M 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I'm Mexican and agree with most of what the other guys have said.
I like the pot plant gift idea, it's something that everybody welcomes, and bringing something for dessert is also something that we do a lot when visiting and having dinner at a friend's place. A bottle of wine is acceptable too but it doesn't go that well with the tamales.
Also, beware: tamales are not eaten with your hands. If they serve bread with them, then you ARE allowed to make yourself a "torta de tamal" (you put the tamal inside the bread to make a sort of sandwich) and eat it with your hands, but only that. We do not consider it impolite if you eat ALL of the food in your plate and even ask for more, if that's what you feel like doing. You can also try to help when serving the beverages during meal time or when they start picking up the table after dinner, but as they said, they will most likely not allow you to help..... you can also offer to help them serve the dessert (especially if you brought it) & coffee.
Enjoy the tamales, I'm sure they'll be delicious! I love them and my mom cooks some wonderful tamales as well....
2007-08-10 05:35:01 · answer #1 · answered by Lprod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rosa is probably an amazing hostess and will probably not allow you to do anything to help. Any sort of household pretty thing would be nice gift. As far as customs, not a lot of differences as far as eating, or visiting. Probably a prayer before the meal, and she will likely put a plate out in the middle of the table for the corn husks off the tamales.
Make your best efforts to help clean up afterm but you will probably get shooed away.
Wish I was going with you
2007-08-10 05:07:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tortlia warmer and salsa dishes that are very brightly colored. Not great cook or hostess will ever have too many. She may not need them right away, but can use them for reserves if she doesn't have any. I have a friend from Africa and does not speak any English, but yet I am there 20 hours a week helping her to learn costoms and english. You don't have to speak the same language to understand friendship.
2007-08-10 05:29:25 · answer #3 · answered by Gwynn T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember something a wise family member once told me about "etiquette"......"Nothing speaks louder than sincerity" to which I would add that there is no language barrier to that either. A pretty pot plant might make a nice gift. You can hardly go wrong with one of those. As for your general behaviour, smile a lot, and make it clear to her with every gesture that you and your family love being there, appreciate her hospitality, and, from what you say, you won't have to be "pretending" to like her food lol.
As she sees you and your family having a great time, and yum-yumming everything, I think your message of appreciation will come through loud and clear.
2007-08-10 05:10:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rosa is in line with threat a great hostess and could no longer extremely enable you to do something to help. Any kind of companion and infants exceptionally component could be advantageous present. so a methods as customs, no longer assorted transformations so a methods as eating, or vacationing. probably a prayer until eventually now the meal, and he or she will probably placed a plate out in the midst of the table for the corn husks off the tamales. Make your applicable efforts to help freshen up afterm yet you will likely get shooed away. want i became going with you
2016-10-02 01:15:59 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be polite, that translates in any language, as for a gift candy is always nice (chocolate. Remember it is ok to use your fingers when eating mexican food and it is often very relaxed and enjoyable. Have fun.
2007-08-10 05:06:07 · answer #6 · answered by Bonnie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being no expert on etiquette, I don't know about this specific question. However, here is a free online etiquette training website. Its informative and its fun:
http://www.etiquettepolice.com/
2007-08-11 02:17:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
some flowers would be a nice gesture and telling her thankyou in spanish would be nice, although if you don't know any spanish a smile and the flowers should convey your appreciation.
2007-08-12 23:15:48 · answer #8 · answered by kymm r 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am mexican, and i just sugest to be comfortable. Most hispanic families prefer their guests to make themselves at home,, and mean it too!..
maybe offer to help clean up after wards, they will tell u no, but its nice to just offer!
2007-08-10 05:05:32 · answer #9 · answered by Angelluvsu 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Flowers are always nice and a good bottle of wine.
Enjoy!
2007-08-12 15:32:28 · answer #10 · answered by sugarbee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋