On Cross-Cultural Tendencies

This post begins with a short conversation between myself and my longtime friend, Ivica Pavisic. (In case it isn't clear, I'm GeorgetheGreek)

Vitz8989: i have a story
georgethegreek89: ..
Vitz8989: so my mom was telling me that she was with my dad somewhere
georgethegreek89: ok
Vitz8989: and some lady started talking to them
Vitz8989: and the lady turned to my dad and was like "don't you remember me?"
Vitz8989: and he was like "not really"
Vitz8989: so she told him about how this one time she was driving by our house
Vitz8989: with her kids in the car
georgethegreek89: HOLD ON
georgethegreek89: brb
Vitz8989: ok
Vitz8989: lol
georgethegreek89: ok
georgethegreek89: back
georgethegreek89: driving by the house and
Vitz8989: ok
Vitz8989: so
Vitz8989: my dad was making goat or lamb or something that day
Vitz8989: so he had it hanging up in the tree out front while he was making the fire
Vitz8989: and the lady's kids saw this
Vitz8989: and were like "mom, is that guy cooking a dog"
Vitz8989: and she was like "don't be ridiculous"
Vitz8989: and drove by again
Vitz8989: and she saw it
Vitz8989: and her kids saw it again
Vitz8989: and they were convinced he was cooking a dog
Vitz8989: so her kids started crying
georgethegreek89: lmao
georgethegreek89: hahahahahhaha
Vitz8989: so they drove around one more time
Vitz8989: and then she stopped and asked
Vitz8989: and he told them it was just a lamb
Vitz8989: but like
Vitz8989: what if they never stopped and asked
georgethegreek89: hahhahahahahaha
Vitz8989: what if they just went on assuming that he was actually cooking a dog
Vitz8989: we would have been That family
georgethegreek89: and i would have loved it.

Ivica and I both come from old world families - Ivica is Croatian and I am Greek. Our families carry certain traditions from our countries of origin, some more socially acceptable in the United States than others. One of the more major of these traditions is the roasting of an entire animal.

Let's start with some history behind the tradition (I did a report on this Junior year of high school so I am qualified to write on the subject). In ancient times - in Rome and more importantly, Greece - meat was very rarely eaten. Fish was prevalent in the diet, but breads and other starches made up the majority of the meals. Vegetables that grew in the Mediterranean area (spinach, olives, tomatoes, etc) were also part of the daily diet. Meat was not a day to day, or even a weekly food; it was usually consumed on holidays.

Part of these celebrations was the roasting of the animal. People from the entire village would gather around for the event Sacrificial animals would be slain, certain parts would be burnt as offerings, and the rest would be consumed by those all around. The roasting of the animal as part of a celebration remained a part of the culture.

Today, the roastings are a little bit different. Now, my family only does a roast lamb on Easter. My uncle sets up the rotating spit and the charcoal pit early in the morning and the entire family gathers around all day, mouths watering, and watches the meal of day turn and turn. I've always thought the lamb was smiling at me whilst it rotated over the 400 degree heat. My grandfather used to eat the eyes and the brains (after chasing us around the yard with the entire head on a fork) - apparently, they are very good for you.

To my knowledge, Ivica's father roasts animals for no apparent reason in their backyard, but that's not to say it has any less meaning. In fact, an animal roast has become an event enough for having people over - no other holiday or celebration is required. The promise of rotisserie meat is enough to have friends and family from all over gather around.

Last fourth of July, Ivica and I (along with a few friends) tried to capture the feelings of such moments with our now infamous "Fourth of Jufry" party, in which we fried a turkey, twinkies, oreos, different cheeses, shrimp, popsicles, and almost anything else under the sun. While not exactly the same (and certainly not as healthy) as a lamb on the spit, people still gathered around the pot of frying oil - some of us in worship - and watched as the deep fried goodness emerged from the 375 degree cauldron and went straight to our hearts (literally and figuratively speaking).

And while it is easy to be caught up in all the deliciousness of these moments - be them deep fried of roasted over coals - it is important to note that the entire process is to bring people together and celebrate each others' company. While you may be disgusted by an entire animal, face and all, slowly spinning in the front yard, or by the decades sawed off someone who eats fried everything for a day for the sake of eating fried everything for a day, you cannot deny the potential either of these actions has for bringing everyone together. What used to be an occasion to pay tribute to the Gods, to either curb their wrath or thank them for their blessings, has become simply a gathering occasion for friends.

So, I leave you with this advice. No matter your feelings toward food-fueled engagements or your stupidly formed, PETA-esque beliefs, make sure that if you are ever invited to a ridiculous and other the top cookout, you attend.

Sorry this took so long to post - lots of shenanigans going on recently. Another one tomorrow.