I recently returned from a trip to South America- Buenos Aires and parts of Peru. I noticed a family phenomenon that was quite charming and new to me. At least I have not witnessed this trend in parts of the States where I travel. Going into restaurants with my husband, regardless of the time of day, I saw tables set for from 6-12 people and more, but rarely for 4 and never for 2 people. What is all this about, I first thought. And then the diners started strolling in. There were huge parties of people. Sometimes, same aged people but for the most part these were 3 and 4 generation family groups: babies, Mommas and Poppas, grandparents and what looked like extended family members—aunts uncles, cousins, etc. What a treat! And this was true in all the rural and urban towns we visited. Eating out is a family affair-the entire family, not just the nuclear family.
How wonderful, I thought. I can’t remember having that same experience. First, we moved out of state from my grandparents when I was very young and even before we moved, we NEVER enjoyed their company in a restaurant. Don’t know why. It just wasn’t done. Then I don’t recall having such friendly or cordial relationships with my aunts and uncles that we would want to eat together.
And even now that I am older, and parents and grandparents are gone, I rarely see this intergenerational family dining experience in any of the restaurants I frequent.
I had this strange sense of ‘something is missing’ from my history. In any case, I just noticed how friendly everyone was, how relaxed, how congenial. Is it an important missing? I don’t know. I’m just wondering.
Carol J. Trust
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