We were invited to a welcome party at church. It was for folks who had joined the church within the previous few weeks.
At the entrance, we were given meal tickets. Wow, this is going to be something, I thought. Sunday afternoons are notorious for finding me famished, so this was great. The host welcomed the group and laid out the agenda. He motioned towards the side of the room where buffet trays were laid out, with volunteers standing behind them. Oh boy!
The time came to eat. We walked over to the buffet table. The first server was dishing Caesar salads, and croutons. Hmm, okay, I thought. A side salad, leading up to the main thing! I moved to the second server, expecting to see a mighty item, the main dish. It was… sandwiches. Croissant sandwiches. Okay… I looked further than the table and realized with dread—that’s it. No other food trays. Just bowls of snacks. This is the feast? A morsel of salad and a sandwich as the party meal? On a Sunday afternoon, no less?
We walked to our table, disappointed, yet not surprised. I turned to the Canadian couple beside me with one question in my mind—“Why?” I wanted to ask, “What do you actually eat when you are famished and want to be full?” It’s a question I have pondered very often in my seven years of being here.
I lifted the croissant sandwich, and was met with another shock; it was so light. Not at all weighty, like a burger. I devoured the provision in seconds. I was antsy. I had initially ignored the candies on our table, but now that my appetite was awakened, I was stuffing my mouth with anything I could find. It was embarrassing.
A waiter came and offered ice cream sandwiches. I’d normally turn my nose up at such—it’s unhealthy, too sweet, etc—but I grabbed it and stuffed my mouth with it. I felt bad.
I made up my mind to be more guarded with how I indulge my appetite in public going forward. Expect little, and eat little. Focus on something else. Don’t feed the beast. As we drove home, I reflected on the outcome of events. Why did they serve us such unsatisfactory dainties, after raising our expectations? I asked my wife “Why do North Americans throw lame feasts?” Nigerians would never. If we invited you to a party, you’d get a real stuffing.
She explained to me that it’s how the culture is. Eating to full satiety was not always a priority, and certainly not one assumed by event hosts. She also shared that croissant sandwiches are actually a delicacy, and though I felt disappointed, it was generous and noble of them. I kept thinking about it all. Was I expecting too much?
The host had offered that we could take excess croissants home, so we packed some. I was shy to do so, and even still a bit contemptuous of the sandwiches, but I have learned not to dismiss any opportunity to save food. So I obeyed my wife, and we took some.
We got home and munched down on the bounty. We were too tired to prepare an elaborate Sunday lunch as is our own domestic culture. We slept off after a few minutes. We always sleep deeply on Sunday afternoon.
I woke up feeling light and refreshed. And then I realized… The light meal enabled me to sleep deeper. Normally, I would have eaten a large meal fitting for my appetite, and crashed into a deep sleep, waking up like I’d been hit by a trailer. This time was different.
I had also been thinking of what my wife said about North American cuisine. That many of them eat light meals for lunch, and throughout the day. That they don’t always eat to be full. Yes, I recalled seeing some of that at work. I started to think… Would this be a better way to live?
I had a light evening meal that evening, in keeping with my newfound wisdom. I appreciate the hospitality we received. More importantly, I understand it now. I’m better equipped to attend another event of this nature.
My African belly stands corrected.