Post dinner party doggie-bags

[nakatago]

I had one of my cultural experiences when I was new in Singapore (many moons ago) and arranged a potluck party at my place.
Not a good idea!
Every single Singaporean I invited called to ask how many people are coming - and then brought enough food FOR ALL OF THEM!!!
I think we ate leftovers for a week ...

Geez. I'm going to a pot luck on Saturday night...if I only bring a reasonable amount of food, am I going to look like a chump??

Fluff it up? Make it up with volume! Or bring something heavy such that when they eat that first, they'd feel so full, they'll find it hard to eat another bite.

[the lynx]

Geez. I'm going to a pot luck on Saturday night...if I only bring a reasonable amount of food, am I going to look like a chump??

Fluff it up? Make it up with volume! Or bring something heavy such that when they eat that first, they'd feel so full, they'll find it hard to eat another bite.

Hmm... reminds me of cheese cake. One slice and that's the night done for!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Geez. I'm going to a pot luck on Saturday night...if I only bring a reasonable amount of food, am I going to look like a chump??

Fluff it up? Make it up with volume! Or bring something heavy such that when they eat that first, they'd feel so full, they'll find it hard to eat another bite.

Hmm... reminds me of cheese cake. One slice and that's the night done for!

You haven't seen what I can do to a good cheesecake! I'm so bad I've learned how to bake a good New York Style Cheesecake so I can afford to eat it!

[the lynx]

Fluff it up? Make it up with volume! Or bring something heavy such that when they eat that first, they'd feel so full, they'll find it hard to eat another bite.

Hmm... reminds me of cheese cake. One slice and that's the night done for!

You haven't seen what I can do to a good cheesecake! I'm so bad I've learned how to bake a good New York Style Cheesecake so I can afford to eat it!

Good Lord! Bless you...

[nakatago]

Fluff it up? Make it up with volume! Or bring something heavy such that when they eat that first, they'd feel so full, they'll find it hard to eat another bite.

Hmm... reminds me of cheese cake. One slice and that's the night done for!

You haven't seen what I can do to a good cheesecake! I'm so bad I've learned how to bake a good New York Style Cheesecake so I can afford to eat it!

...so is this good news for the next gathering then?

[mummy mantras]

Worst was when my Singaporean Chinese boss made me pack up the leftovers at a big event we hosted at the American Chamber. Then we served it to the students the next day as a "surprise". It was a HUGE amount of food and it would have all been wasted. But it did make me feel queezy, then I remembered my mom did the same thing after my bridal shower, wedding dinner, baby shower and baptism lunch. This wrapping up left-over crosses all cultures.

Maybe it also depends on what is being wrapped up...

At a PR company that I once did some research work for, I always looked forward to whatever leftovers my colleagues brought back from their fancy launch parties. They always hired top chefs to cater at these fancy events, and the grub was always amazing!

There was one event where they brought back the world's best Spam fries (don't gag... it was utterly brilliant!) with a choice of 3 superb dips: lemongrass and mint cream, tropical fruit salsa, and smoked Szechuan pepper. Heavenly!

Another time, they came back with an unbelievable assortment of 'reinvented' Nonya delights, including Kueh Pie Tee that came stuffed with small nuggets of lobster! Mmmm...

[JR8]

I'm always torn between being amused and amazed attending official Singapore functions where the locals try and wangle invites for the entire extended family, neighbours etc (nope, not kidding). Then once the food is served the same people load up their handbags and immediately leave.

It's not just me, more so the SGn hosts who are aghast and agog at this behavior.



And people wonder why I'm cynical, but I've seen this so many times...

[Superglide]

[quote="JR8"]I don't equate giving people doggy-bags as being a 'good host', as I have explained I find it rather strange, and hence posed the OP. Neither do I (or Lee Kuan Yew) associate Singaporeans with graciousness.
[/quote="JR8"]

I'd call it graciousness, if people like to share their food with others, but hey, who am I?

And if you're not willing to understand the culture, what can I say. Your headache, certainly not theirs.

Your lack of cultural awareness makes me laugh, rather than the Singaporean habits you fume at. After all, it's their turf, you're just a stranger. You do realise it is you, who is confused, do you?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Interesting, no? Both of you have lived in Singapore for quite some time. Both of you are married to local girls (I 'm assuming, SG, that you are still married) and neither of you are currently living in Singapore but are back in Europe. But neither have any common ground and both have completely different perspectives.

[mummy mantras]

Interesting, no? Both of you have lived in Singapore for quite some time. Both of you are married to local girls (I 'm assuming, SG, that you are still married) and neither of you are currently living in Singapore but are back in Europe. But neither have any common ground and both have completely different perspectives.

As usual, SMS has got it in one!

Funnily enough, I asked my hubby about this last night (he's Singaporean) and he said that he's always found it weird how some party hosts like to ask people to take home excess food but I've always been completely okay with it.

I told him that the reason isn't cultural, it's practical! I'm the one who does all the cooking at home. Having yummy leftovers in the fridge means that I'll have less to cook the next day (and possibly the day after that as well!).

A pot of leftover chicken curry (from a party at his aunt's house) once fed us for 3 straight days afterwards! It was amazing on rice, with bread and tossed with noodles! And it tasted better with each passing day!

[JR8]

MM, it is interesting how often food improves with age. This certainly applies to curry as you say. If poss I definitely cook a curry a day before eating it. Stews, most cakes even. It just gives the flavours a chance to develop. Blimey my mum makes the Xmas pudding a year ahead.

Here's a Trivia Time question. Which is the only fish that improves with aging?


p.s. Do note that we're getting near the witching-hour of the shortest day of the year next week. The weather is crap, overcast all day and cold and it is dark by 3.30. Anyone in N Europe with a susceptibility to getting seasonally cranky, likely will be now.

[earthfriendly]

I'm always torn between being amused and amazed attending official Singapore functions where the locals try and wangle invites for the entire extended family, neighbours etc (nope, not kidding).

People around the world have different ideas of boundary and the way they bond with another. A recent Singaporean biz event invited members' family, set up a kid's corner and offer free buffet for all. The speaker was the Asian Pacific director for Exxon Mobile. It was a nice touch as it can be hard to get a baby sitter especially if you don't have deep roots in USA. I invited an American friend with an interest in Asia. I was surprised he was admitted as I did not RSVP for him and did not show up for event myself.

Both my sisters combined their families, along with my mom too, on their last vacation to Japan.

My cousin coralled her other 3 siblings and their kids into joining the same church. One studied in Hawaii and the other in USA and both returned to SG to be with the family. That's their way of keeping the next generation of families together after their parents passed away. There are many Singaporeans who like to incorporate and involve their friends and family to do activities together .

My family went on vacation to Hawaii and S. California with another family. It is not for everybody. One has to be flexible and willng to accomodate the querkiness of the other family clan. I need to get my sushi fix but the other family does not enjoy it enough to justify the cost. I like Asian food but that is not their food of preference. They like fast food wheras I prefer cook-to-order meals. My daughters don't want to do it anymore due to play dynamics with the other child. Overall, I believe it is beneficial for them. We are a nucleaur family with our extended families living far away. Our kids don't get a chance to experience interacting intimately with people outside of the immediate family. We are too centered on catering to their wants and needs. There have to be some kind of balance so they understand the world does not revolve around them.

I am planning a vacation to Asia for my family and I invited a very dear American bachelor friend to come along. I will be very happy if he join us for I like doing things with other people. People that I click with, of course! I don't like loneliness. Suburb lifestyle is hard on me and I get depression. The heavy emphasis on privacy, boundary and making sure you don't bother your neighbors too much.

[earthfriendly]

MM, it is interesting how often food improves with age. This certainly applies to curry as you say. If poss I definitely cook a curry a day before eating it. Stews, most cakes even. It just gives the flavours a chance to develop. Blimey my mum makes the Xmas pudding a year ahead.

Many soups and stews taste better the next day, curry, beef stew, chicken soup. I learnt the trick from a friend who would make her goulash and eat it the next day. And things like lasagne will keep its shape better if you allow it to set overnight.

[Superglide]

Interesting, no? Both of you have lived in Singapore for quite some time. Both of you are married to local girls (I 'm assuming, SG, that you are still married) and neither of you are currently living in Singapore but are back in Europe. But neither have any common ground and both have completely different perspectives.

Yup, absolutely still married to the same Singaporean wife.

But that's not the point to me. Whatever reasons this JR is trying to find for defending his confusion, it is confusion. Singapore's not gonna change for JR's sake. If he cannot understand a culture, it is his shortcoming, not the country's shortcoming. Unless he's God Almighty, which I doubt.

[Superglide]

p.s. Do note that we're getting near the witching-hour of the shortest day of the year next week. The weather is crap, overcast all day and cold and it is dark by 3.30. Anyone in N Europe with a susceptibility to getting seasonally cranky, likely will be now.

Just to remind you, monkey, you're moaning about Singapore doggie bags, not me.

In fact, I love Singapore food, be it in doggie bags, be it on a plate. Yesterday, today and on the shortest day of the year.