My latest Facebook posting:
Department of cross-cultural understanding: I have figured out how to make sure that we have enough food for 12 dinner guests… tell [the Russian adults in the household] that 4 people are coming over for snacks.
5 thoughts on “Coping with Russian hospitality concepts”
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Russians are wonderful hosts; I have been to a dacha party in provincial Russia and had a great time!
totally agree after experiencing Xmas party at the Russian Embassy here in DC this past year. Bemused that passed appetizer was chicken Kiev in light of Ukrainian conflict (as vegetarian, did not try app but everyone else seemed to be taking multiple pieces). The groaning buffet table of cold salads & seafood, and the hot buffet of meats, potatoes, etc., was enough to feed an army. After a musical interlude, we were feted to a lavish dessert buffet. All manner of alcohol on offer throughout — in addition to Russian vodka, lots of California wines and American beer. They sent us home with bags of decorated butter cookies — as good as French pur beurre biscuits.
http://rbth.com/arts/2014/05/12/moscows_dc_embassy_chef_gives_local_food_a_russian_accent_36585.html
interview with Chef Roman Shchadrin (clearly possesses a sense of humor)
Shchadrin prepared the hot & cold buffets at the Embassy of the Russian Federation when we spent an evening there in Dec 2014. Learned from the waitstaff that the passed hors-d’oeuvres and the desserts were provided by outside caterer, but that the chef had prepared the cold & hot buffets. There was an ice sculpture of the Kremlin in middle of dessert buffet — which included chocolate fountains.
unintentional lack of ID for “Anonymous” above — Philip’s sister (Suzanne) whose husband was the invitee to Embassy of the Russian Federation party thanks to his evening economics adjunct teaching gig at the American University (which received large bequest for its Initiative for Russian Culture). Trailing spouse here enjoyed seeing stark marble structures which sit on one of the highest hills in DC (embarrassment back in 1960s or 70s when CIA allowed USSR to situate itself with best spying potential in entire city)
It’s interesting that Russians are considered the big drinkers, but Russians would never serve alcohol without food, usually copious food. While I have been at lots of American “cocktail parties” that are just that – lots of booze and minimal food. There’s an open bar where drinks are poured freely but food is doled out as if it is some rare and valuable commodity. Every once in a while a server emerges from the kitchen with a little tray of tiny nuggets that are snatched up before he ever makes it to your end of the room. Why does this fellow need to carry this tiny tray around if the guests are not handicapped? Couldn’t they just put them all out on a table at the beginning so you could help yourself and stand a chance of snagging more than 1 little tiny bite?