My kitchen is smallish and a few years back, we renovated it to remove the need for a table and instead, built the counter top out towards the middle of the kitchen. This allowed us to now have a dishwasher as well. Now we can seat 3-4 people around this new addition although we only have 3 bar stools.
On Pure Country night, the first three people showed up and claimed their seats in the kitchen. When everyone else showed up, these people just stood in the kitchen. Even after food was served and everyone was eating, they were eating standing up instead of taking it into the living room to sit and enjoy the food a bit more. I was standing there, eating my rib thinking "This is crazy!" Finally, I couldn't take all the standing so I went into the living room, thinking that maybe other standers would follow. No such luck.
Last night I held another movie night to coordinate with the DVD release of the third movie in the Twilight series - Eclipse. Since it's near the holidays and everyone is busy shopping and getting ready for them, I decided to forgo the potluck and just have everyone chip in for the pizza, breadsticks, salad and beverages. In conjunction with making the salad, I also made the dessert which I wanted to be simple handheld items and nothing is more simpler than cookies. I made 2 different kinds of cookies that I found the recipes for in my mom's "receipt" box. Both of these where ones that I vaguely remembered as a kid.
As I was setting up, I thought I would be sly and remove the chairs from the kitchen. I hid them in the computer room. When the first person showed up, within only a minute or two of arrival, she asked where the kitchen chairs were. Big A told her that he was going to "herd" everyone into the living room or in the man cave (yes, we invaded the man cave for an evening) where a table was set up. Do you think this plan worked? No it did not. It was a big bust. The next two arrivals came and just stood around the counter (coincidentally, these were the same 3 that took the chairs at the previous movie night). The 3 more that arrived afterwards also stood and ate around the counter while I just shook my head and enjoyed my pizza in the quietness and comfort of the living room. Eventually one did come out and sit too but the majority of people stood eating and standing in the kitchen.
This just boggles my mind. If it was a large open kitchen/living room maybe I could see it but the kitchen is a completely separate room and with 8 adults standing around, you are pretty much S.O.L. if you need a beverage from the refrigerator. I just don't get it.
On a brighter note though, here's a picture of the cookie tray which was the dessert:
The ones in the middle are store bought since both of the homemade cookies were ones I had never made before. Thankfully all turned out well.
As for what to do the next time I host a movie night, I have no idea other than to just go with the flow and enjoy the comfort of sitting while eating by myself.
6 comments:
Kitchens are more comfortable (maybe next time you move the TV into the kitchen all of you can stay cozy and warm!
How can they be more comfortable when you have to eat and stand?
That's one of the cultural things my wife has finally learned about Americans. Everything happens in the kitchen, usually in close proximity to the booze.
Cheers.
I would put the food on a card table in the living room and skip the kitchen altogether. That or start the movie as soon as everyone gets their plate full the first time.
R. - I think I'm going to move to Germany then. :-)
Ed - The problem seems to be when they get here before the food is ready. You know, I had thought about if the reason was because when they arrived, I was in the kitchen doing things for the gathering and they just sat down there.
I have yet to see Eclipse.
:(
Post a Comment