📘 Part 3: Food and celebrations

This episode's vocabulary

Get together (phrasal verb) – to meet or gather as a group. → We usually get together for dinner on Sundays.

Symbolise (verb) – to represent or stand for something. → The dove symbolises peace in many cultures.

Quintessentially (adverb) – typically; in a way that represents the most perfect example. → She’s a quintessentially British actress.

Celebration (noun) – a special event to mark an occasion. → We had a big celebration for his 50th birthday.

Staple food (noun phrase) – a basic or main type of food eaten regularly. → Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries.

Mutton (noun) – meat from an adult sheep. → The stew was made with tender mutton and potatoes.

Livestock (noun) – animals raised on a farm for food or other products. → The farm keeps livestock like cows and pigs.

Crops (noun) – plants grown for food or sale. → The farmers harvested their crops before the storm.

Foodstuffs (noun, plural) – a general term for types of food. → The store sells various foodstuffs including grains and canned goods.

Connection to the past (noun phrase) – a link or tie to history or tradition. → Traditional dances give people a connection to the past.

Culturally speaking (adverbial phrase) – from a cultural perspective. → Culturally speaking, this festival is very important.

Wherewithal (noun) – the means or resources to do something. → Not everyone has the wherewithal to buy a new car.

Sustainable (adjective) – able to be maintained without causing harm or exhaustion. → We need to find more sustainable energy sources.

Perception (noun) – the way something is understood or interpreted. → The media shapes public perception of events.

Shell out (phrasal verb) – to spend money on something, often reluctantly. → I had to shell out $100 for concert tickets.

Daunting (adjective) – intimidating or overwhelming. → Climbing the mountain seemed like a daunting task.

Choking (noun) – having difficulty breathing because something is stuck in the throat. → Be careful when eating nuts, as they can cause choking.

Socialise (verb) – to spend time interacting with others. → It's important for children to socialise with their peers.

Norm (noun) – a usual or standard practice. → Wearing school uniforms is the norm in many countries.

Campaign (noun) – a planned series of actions to achieve a goal. → The health department launched a campaign to promote exercise.

Questions and Answers

Maria: Is any food in your country eaten at particular times or on special occasions?

Rory: Aside from birthdays, probably things like easter eggs, which are rolled at Easter to symbolise the boulder being pushed away from Jesus' tomb. Oh, and people often get together to eat haggis on Burns Night, since that's seen as a quintessentially Scottish food, so it's suitable for the national poet. Plus, I think he wrote a poem about haggis, which is often quoted at the celebration, so it fits the mood perfectly.

Maria: What are the differences between traditional food in your country and other countries?

Rory: I think with all food like that, it's a reflection of what was considered a staple food in the distant past. So, in the case of Scotland, sheep meat or mutton and oats play a central role, and they especially in making haggis. We still have lots of sheep now, and also oats, but they aren't the key types of livestock and crops they once were, so it's more about the connection to the past than anything else. I'm not sure those foodstuffs play such a central role in other cultures, but I could be wrong.

Maria: Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special days?

Rory: Well, culturally speaking, I suppose it's considered crucial to have the wherewithal to celebrate such days as they should be, or at least as is considered appropriate, whether it's financially sustainable or not. So the perception might be, if you don't spend the money, you're not seen to be doing it right and some people can't stand to be seen in such a way. So they shell out a ton of money to demonstrate they can do it.

Maria: Do you think it's good to communicate when eating with your family?

Rory: Well, maybe not at the exact moment you're eating, I mean, medically that might pose a risk of choking to death. Also, in some cultures, I think it's considered rude to talk with your mouth full, so not in the moment from that perspective. However, between chewing and swallowing seems an ideal time. It would be awkward to just sit in utter silence otherwise, in what seems like a good chance to socialise, especially if everyone is gathered around a table.

Maria: And how can we encourage people to eat together, especially families?

Rory: That's a good question, I suppose. Just by making it the norm. So if it's something that's seen as culturally appropriate, generally people will move in that direction. So things like government awareness-raising campaigns might work, especially if they highlight the benefits of doing so.