Southern Table Manners

The other night we had a friend of a friend over to the house. We had just eaten dinner and so I of course had to offer him a bite to eat. For some reason this seemed to make him feel uncomfortable. I couldn't understand why. When I was growing up that was the second thing you were asked when you came through the door. It was always, Hi, how are you? Can I get you something to eat? Can I get you something to drink? Still to this day I find it impossible to visit my Granny's house and leave without eating something. I guess it's just a Southern thing. If you visit my cousins house in East Texas she will offer you something to eat or drink and if you say no she will politely ask again. If you decline again she will show you to the kitchen and tell you "If you ever starve or thirst in my house it is your own damn fault!"

If you come over to the house please know I will offer you something to drink and something to eat. If you say no I will politely ask again and insist that it's not a problem. (Which it really isn't!) Also, if you happened to be one of my husband's buddies coming over for a ball game I will feel obligated to make dinner, or at least a pan of brownies!

Heaven help the roofers that came over a couple weeks ago, I had bribed my brother in law with breakfast to come over while we were having the roof inspected. Breakfast is not taken lightly in our family. This morning's menu was fried eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy and chicken fried steak. It was not different than any other morning, I always cook too much. So when the roofers were done with the inspector I offered them breakfast. (I have known Ben, since high school so they weren't complete strangers.) I wish I could put into words the look I got from the guy who didn't know me. Then, after he politely declined I simply asked again and made it clear to him that it was no imposition at all. Ben simply explained that is normal, well for me...

Be warned, if you leave our house hungry it will be your own fault!