One thing I love about having a large house is having the space to host
friends.
Our friends the Sakalas came for lunch just after Christmas. We told
them we’d make American food (how descriptive, right?!)
We made tortillas and served tacos, sans sour cream, hot peppers, olives,
or lettuce. They were very interested to learn how to eat tacos. It’s also
ironic to teach a Zambian friend how to say, “tortilla,” in English.
After having recently learned that “taco” has a negative
connotation in Tonga ,
we were hesitant to tell our guests the name of the meal we were serving! We
might have to re-name Zambian tacos. Any suggestions?
Zesco (our electricity) came back a while after lunch,
giving me enough time to mix and bake the cake I had sitting on the counter. Before
our friends left, we enjoyed tea and cake in the living room.
Or, if you might just teach them the word and the meaning. That way when they hear the word "taco" (which they might hear from other Americans) they will understand they shouldn't be offended.
ReplyDeleteYou could tell them what "taco" means in American English and then you can call it "Mexican" if they don't want to say the word.