My pies were lakes of pumpkin soup.
My nephew "ate" his piece of pie with a straw.
The Vietnamese are very respectful and nobody laughed. But there was too much conversation in Vietnamese at pie time so I knew I was in trouble.
But good news: one of the lasting traditions of Vietnamese life is this. On holidays, everyone take food to their neighbors. So I suggested to my wife we take a pie across the street and palm it off on the neighbors. In the process, I explained, we'd get credit in heaven or wherever they keep track of good works for giving food to the neighbors.
I could see in my wife's face that she didn't want to go on this dingbat mission to give lame pie to trusting neighbors, but she is Vietnamese. Vietnamese woman will support their man. NO MATTER WHAT!
So, pie in hand, we trecked across the street. I rang the doorbell and explained that the pie was somewhat runny, so I had frozen it, and I though his kids would appreciate a little Thanksgiving pumpkin pie from his Vietnamese-American neighbors. He accepted the pie and I was delighted.
Before he closed the door he said: "I am especially happy because I am the pastry chef at the White House and I never get to taste other people's pastry!"
I was ashen faced.
As we headed for home, my wife said all she needed to say.
"Proud now?"
My nephew "ate" his piece of pie with a straw.
The Vietnamese are very respectful and nobody laughed. But there was too much conversation in Vietnamese at pie time so I knew I was in trouble.
But good news: one of the lasting traditions of Vietnamese life is this. On holidays, everyone take food to their neighbors. So I suggested to my wife we take a pie across the street and palm it off on the neighbors. In the process, I explained, we'd get credit in heaven or wherever they keep track of good works for giving food to the neighbors.
So, pie in hand, we trecked across the street. I rang the doorbell and explained that the pie was somewhat runny, so I had frozen it, and I though his kids would appreciate a little Thanksgiving pumpkin pie from his Vietnamese-American neighbors. He accepted the pie and I was delighted.
Before he closed the door he said: "I am especially happy because I am the pastry chef at the White House and I never get to taste other people's pastry!"
I was ashen faced.
As we headed for home, my wife said all she needed to say.
"Proud now?"
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