An International Evening

Last night was an international evening which is held at the beginning of each school year at our daughters' school. It's for the parents only and gives us all a chance to meet each other on a more social setting without the children to distract us. The first couple of years it was a sit down event, but as the school has grown - it is now a stand-up buffet type of event.

Each family has to bring a food item that represents their country. I brought pumpkin pie. None of the Indian families came to the event this year. Their delicious food contributions were always the first to go. Although our school is quite diverse, unfortunately, none of the non-Western families came. In the past, we've had interesting food choices from Asia and Africa, but these families seldom integrate or mingle outside of their group. So many of the other families are interested in these parts of the world, yet there is an invisible wall between us. They are not unfriendly or hostile in anyway, but there is a definite reserve that doesn't really make it that inviting to want to even try to break down the barrier.

One time last school year Giulia received a birthday invitation from the daughter of one of the Indian families. I was very surprised by the invitation since this girl wasn't a friend, but Giulia is always up for a play date or birthday party so she accepted. Once we called to confirm Giulia's attendance the father kept calling Steve many, many times wanting to reconfirm that Giulia was indeed coming and at precisely what time. On the afternoon of the party, Steve dropped her off and was a bit overwhelmed by the parents' intensity. He had been running late and the father kept calling wondering what was holding Steve up. When he arrived, the father was very insistent that he have a drink of whisky which in the end Steve ended up accepting - only being able to drink a couple of polite sips. Being in Italy we're very accustomed to being offered a coffee, but hard liquor at 4 in the afternoon?

Oddly enough it turned out not to be much of a party - Giulia was the only person there. When I went to go pick her up that evening it was to find her a bit shell-shocked - happy, because that is her general nature, but ready to leave. It turns out they kept insisting she have soda, cake and potato chips which she kept refusing. Finally, she gave in and had a small piece of cake (Giulia is not a cake person). She told us she was absolutely not allowed to leave her schoolmates bedroom and play in other parts of the house. The parents actually got quite upset at her about it so in the bedroom she stayed. Giulia hasn't been back although the mother lights up her every time she sees her and keeps insisting that she should come over for a play date. Giulia for once hasn't been up for the offer.

Back at the international evening, it was essentially most of the same families that go to all these events including ourselves. Yet it's still always nice to chit chat with couples that we know about other things besides our children. It's amazing how difficult it can be to get away from that topic. I can't imagine how deadly dull it must be for people without kids, and to think I used to be one of those people! It seems a million years ago, almost like a different person. But last night hardly a word was mentioned of our beloved offspring. Instead we were talking about politics and books, and even some quirky and esoteric topics like finding dental visits erotic (Steve) and the twin paradox (Steve again). After the party, we ended up at a friends apartment for more wine and more conversation. We made it home around midnight with an empty pie dish and too many yawns for what many people would be the start and not the end of the evening.