Cooking And Complimenting

It's a picnic of sorts at home with our sons back with us now.
Enjoying, trying so many dishes and having a gala time preparing and serving a variety of food.
Feel so happy when all the food disappears as fast as it appears.

Honestly can't say whether the dishes are nice or not. Everybody eats whatever is prepared. Either all are hungry and so they eat. Or they just eat what is prepared whether or not they like it. No choice for them really, eh! :D

My sister from Chicago always says it's with pleasure and devotion we cook for the family. Our role must end there. The like or dislike of whatever food put on the table depends entirely upon the luck of the person(s) eating it. If they compliment, well and good.

I feel very happy to get compliments for an item well-prepared. But I know it's never good to expect everyone to have only good comments each and every day. If they don't express anything, never feel bad! I have never failed to thank anyone who has cooked and served me with food.
Well,
thanking for being served and complimenting good food are two different things.
Anyone who cooks each and every day, will know how much time and labor it involves and most times it is done with much love and care for family or friends.

At functions like marriages/house warming, etc., it's been my habit to taste every single dish served. I never forget to seek out the host as well as the contractor/caterer and compliment them about the good dishes that I relished without fail. I take care to mention only the best out of the whole, so that it comes from my heart and does not appear artificial. If the food was just OK, I would still go over and thank them anyway.
I always take care to compliment them only after I have finished with eating. Otherwise, the hosts/cooks/servers have a habit of heaping on some more of whatever I praised, despite my protesting that I can't eat anymore.

Even for complimenting about good food, 'timing' seems very important just like the comedy scenes in movies. With food one has to be doubly careful as the stomach can withstand only so much.

In the Hindu religion, serving food to one's fill is considered the best among all charities. As this is the only time when we say 'no' to more than our capacity to eat. Hmmm... those were the days when the concept of doggy bags were not yet popular!!
But not so with charity of money, materials, etc.
More is always welcome. Storage or carrying is no problem. Bags can always materialize from nowhere to store any quantity being given away.

Cheers.

Mahalakshmi