If a birthday party started at 12:30, would you expect lunch to be served?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any Asian family every thinking you can host a party without food (I'm Asian). Not as sure about other races.

I'm Asian. I have no trouble hosting a party without providing a full meal. I think there's too much emphasis on food in today's culture.

Liar! You are not Asian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any Asian family every thinking you can host a party without food (I'm Asian). Not as sure about other races.

I'm Asian. I have no trouble hosting a party without providing a full meal. I think there's too much emphasis on food in today's culture.

I am Indian and would be horrifically embarrassed to have a party starting at 12:30 and not provide a full meal. I don't know of any other Indian (or other Asian) who would even consider doing that. It is definitely a cultural difference.

+ 1.

Absolutely. I do not know any Asian family that would not provide a full meal if a party happens to be at meal times. I would also expect that if a party did happen to be at meal time, that they would still provide beverages and snacks, if not a full meal.

This was a white person's question and it could very well be a cultural difference. Hospitality is a big aspect of Asian culture. Feeding guests and anticipating and providing for their physical comfort, and making them feel welcome - is what good hospitality is all about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, because I haven't seen an invitation that doesn't specify what is being served.
Don't be too harsh- there's a big learning curve for parents to children's parties, and your child should be thrilled just to go to a party...

[Anonymous]

absolutely. if you want to avoid serving lunch do 2-4pm or 9-11am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any Asian family every thinking you can host a party without food (I'm Asian). Not as sure about other races.

I'm Asian. I have no trouble hosting a party without providing a full meal. I think there's too much emphasis on food in today's culture.

Liar! You are not Asian.

Lol! That's what I was thinking. My family doesn't understand the concept of light refreshments. Cake and coffee wouldn't cut it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any Asian family every thinking you can host a party without food (I'm Asian). Not as sure about other races.

I'm Asian. I have no trouble hosting a party without providing a full meal. I think there's too much emphasis on food in today's culture.

I'm the person you quoted. I have no problem hosting a party without a FULL meal, but without food? Or just drinks and cake? Not happening in my family or Asian friends. If my party includes 11:30-1:00 or 5:30-7:00 then there will be a full meal. Otherwise, there will be a ton of appetizers (hot and cold) and snacks. We usually have enough food leftover to go 2-3 days without needing to cook again after a party regardless of whether it is at meal time or not. We often joke that if I don't have enough food to feed twice as many people as show up that I feel Asian guilt.

[Anonymous]

If you cannot afford to feed the people at the party, throw a smaller party with a few friends and calll it a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any Asian family every thinking you can host a party without food (I'm Asian). Not as sure about other races.

I'm Asian. I have no trouble hosting a party without providing a full meal. I think there's too much emphasis on food in today's culture.

I'm the person you quoted. I have no problem hosting a party without a FULL meal, but without food? Or just drinks and cake? Not happening in my family or Asian friends. If my party includes 11:30-1:00 or 5:30-7:00 then there will be a full meal. Otherwise, there will be a ton of appetizers (hot and cold) and snacks. We usually have enough food leftover to go 2-3 days without needing to cook again after a party regardless of whether it is at meal time or not. We often joke that if I don't have enough food to feed twice as many people as show up that I feel Asian guilt.

I agree.

I am so paranoid that I will run out of food that I often cook more than what we will consume. I always have enough left over that my guests can take food home as well.

Food is inexpensive in this country. I cannot fathom why people act stingy where food is concerned. I have a mix of homemade, semi-homemade and store bought food for my guests - it is so easy to be hospitable in this country because there is food to suit everyone's budget and taste..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any Asian family every thinking you can host a party without food (I'm Asian). Not as sure about other races.

I'm Asian. I have no trouble hosting a party without providing a full meal. I think there's too much emphasis on food in today's culture.

I am Indian and would be horrifically embarrassed to have a party starting at 12:30 and not provide a full meal. I don't know of any other Indian (or other Asian) who would even consider doing that. It is definitely a cultural difference.

+ 1.

Absolutely. I do not know any Asian family that would not provide a full meal if a party happens to be at meal times. I would also expect that if a party did happen to be at meal time, that they would still provide beverages and snacks, if not a full meal.

This was a white person's question and it could very well be a cultural difference. Hospitality is a big aspect of Asian culture. Feeding guests and anticipating and providing for their physical comfort, and making them feel welcome - is what good hospitality is all about.

Same, I'm indian and will give you food no matter what time the party is. That's just how I was raised.

[Anonymous]

If I were hosting, I would serve lunch to both parents and kids.

That being said, I've learned to feed my kid something substantive before parties regardless of time because:
1. I'm not sure if the hosts will serve a meal or snack
2. my kid gets distracted easily when around friends/toys, so she's unlikely to eat well.

I have a preschooler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. No matter what time I provide food.

Exactly, if you are hosting kids, you must have food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. No matter what time I provide food.

Exactly, if you are hosting kids, you must have food.

+1

Kids will eat pizza day or night. Even for off-time parties, I always order a couple of pizzas and have fruit. At my DS's party recently, all but two kids ate pizza and it was an afternoon party.

[Anonymous]

You'll want to clarify on the invitations. "Snacks and cake" or "lunch and cake".

We normally eat lunch around 11:30 so would not need lunch at 12:30. Every family is different.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to say that the "of course we'll feed you until you're ready to burst" stereotype might also apply to religious minorities. Not sure if that's a reaction to a history of deprivation, an expression of ethnic pride, a simple cultural tradition, or some other force at work.

-A Happily Overstuffed Jew Who Serves Way Too Much Food to All Guests

[Anonymous]

Yes.

Bad timing for a children's party, though, unless you start with food right away.