With Thanksgiving around the corner, the English Studies majors group decided to celebrate this American holiday this week. So, I went to my first German Thanksgiving... Which was quite the interesting experience.
Here is all you really need to know about what happened:
The dinner was to be a buffet-style for about 60 or so people. It was organized in a local restaurant and bar. So, the venue had special lighting for a variety of events; they had been dimmed to give a homey feel for this dinner. Naturally, steam tables were brought out for vegetables and side dishes, and many a people from many a different land had come together to share meal and learn about a traditional American holiday.
Sounds like a nice, typical exercise in international learning experience, yes? These English students have done research and talked to Americans that had studied in Germany in previous semesters in order to accurately put on an authentic representation of this festive time, yes? Well, no. Not at all, really.
I had not eaten much that day, per tradition back home, so I could stuff myself silly with delicious food, also per tradition. The event started at 7:00 PM, and I was told there was a delay with the turkey. Thus, I waited patiently for the bird to presented in all its glory before us. Around 7:45, I heard in the background someone say, "The turkey is coming out of the kitchen now!" I whipped my head around to face the entrance of the dining room, and suddenly the lights went out, multi-colored strobe lights began to scan and flash, and the opening guitar riff to AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" starts to blast on surround sound stereos. I'm looking around and questioning reality, at this point, but as soon as I determine that I am not dreaming, a HUGE turkey with five lit sparklers comes rolling into the dining room on a cart pushed by a man that looked like Super Hans.
This is not a joke/lie/dramatization/misrepresentation. That is exactly what happened. Not only is that the gods' honest truth, but I was also asked about that by multiple Germans and international students. Here a few scenarios:
GERMAN GIRL 1: Oh, this doesn't happen every time for Thanksgiving every year in America?
DANIEL: Uh... I think it would be fair to say that's never happened in my family's celebration... or of
anyone's I know of...
GERMAN GIRL 2: We were afraid that it wouldn't be authentic. We couldn't find enough American
flags or red, white, and blue. Is this ok?
DANIEL: In my family, at least, we decorate with earthy, fall colors, but I'm sure there are a few
American family who go full force with der Patriotismus this time of year.
GERMAN GUY 1: You mean that's not how you bring the turkey in? We thought fireworks were
important in the US.
DANIEL: I can't say that I've ever seen it before, but I thought it was great. AC/DC was a nice touch.
Please note that these were all serious inquiries and conversations.
Needless to say, I loved my dinner of turkey, french fries, steam vegetables, and cubed butternut squash. I also loved the cultural learning experience and being able to exchange ideas about my own culture.
Overall, it was a great experience, and a very nice gesture, and a great time. And for reasons like these, I love the international community here. Thus, I look to the future with anticipation, for there are more ideas to be found out and more great stories like this one out there to be told one day.
Here is all you really need to know about what happened:
The dinner was to be a buffet-style for about 60 or so people. It was organized in a local restaurant and bar. So, the venue had special lighting for a variety of events; they had been dimmed to give a homey feel for this dinner. Naturally, steam tables were brought out for vegetables and side dishes, and many a people from many a different land had come together to share meal and learn about a traditional American holiday.
Sounds like a nice, typical exercise in international learning experience, yes? These English students have done research and talked to Americans that had studied in Germany in previous semesters in order to accurately put on an authentic representation of this festive time, yes? Well, no. Not at all, really.
I had not eaten much that day, per tradition back home, so I could stuff myself silly with delicious food, also per tradition. The event started at 7:00 PM, and I was told there was a delay with the turkey. Thus, I waited patiently for the bird to presented in all its glory before us. Around 7:45, I heard in the background someone say, "The turkey is coming out of the kitchen now!" I whipped my head around to face the entrance of the dining room, and suddenly the lights went out, multi-colored strobe lights began to scan and flash, and the opening guitar riff to AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" starts to blast on surround sound stereos. I'm looking around and questioning reality, at this point, but as soon as I determine that I am not dreaming, a HUGE turkey with five lit sparklers comes rolling into the dining room on a cart pushed by a man that looked like Super Hans.
This is not a joke/lie/dramatization/misrepresentation. That is exactly what happened. Not only is that the gods' honest truth, but I was also asked about that by multiple Germans and international students. Here a few scenarios:
GERMAN GIRL 1: Oh, this doesn't happen every time for Thanksgiving every year in America?
DANIEL: Uh... I think it would be fair to say that's never happened in my family's celebration... or of
anyone's I know of...
GERMAN GIRL 2: We were afraid that it wouldn't be authentic. We couldn't find enough American
flags or red, white, and blue. Is this ok?
DANIEL: In my family, at least, we decorate with earthy, fall colors, but I'm sure there are a few
American family who go full force with der Patriotismus this time of year.
GERMAN GUY 1: You mean that's not how you bring the turkey in? We thought fireworks were
important in the US.
DANIEL: I can't say that I've ever seen it before, but I thought it was great. AC/DC was a nice touch.
Please note that these were all serious inquiries and conversations.
Needless to say, I loved my dinner of turkey, french fries, steam vegetables, and cubed butternut squash. I also loved the cultural learning experience and being able to exchange ideas about my own culture.
Overall, it was a great experience, and a very nice gesture, and a great time. And for reasons like these, I love the international community here. Thus, I look to the future with anticipation, for there are more ideas to be found out and more great stories like this one out there to be told one day.