Last year our family celebrated Thanksgiving with our Afghan friends, including cooking a Halal turkey; it was the first time our extended family met our Afghan friends. One of the traditions we have at Thanksgiving is for each person to say what they are thankful for. The Afghan family participated, which was a meaningful step in our relationship.
… made a face several times to show that it was not an appetizing choice. I recall the worst reaction being to a peppermint flavored tea.
Our Afghan friends didn’t like every dish we served that day but for the most part, they tried everything. There was a funny moment, where my wife offered them tea after dinner. My wife had the mother of the family smell a few of the tea options, which she did not like, and made it known by making a face several times to show that it was not an appetizing choice. I recall the worst reaction being to a peppermint flavored tea. Eventually, I think she was okay choosing a non-flavored black tea. She laughed about it along with us. She doesn’t speak English at all but laughter is a great way to communicate.
The father of the Afghan family wanted to know afterwards when he would see our extended family again. He invited my wife’s parents to his home a couple weeks later and we all shared a meal with them. Afghan hospitality is such a wonderful experience.
-Jeff Douglas, Good Neighbor team member
