Help me thank an Afghanistan family.

One of my customers today was a family from Afghanistan. Mom, Dad, little 2 year old girl and a 3 year old boy.  I'm assuming the Dad was a translator from his fluency in English and how Americanized he seemed.  I know better but I commented on how nice their dinner smelled. I love different food and was interested in what it was and how it was cooked. Curry chicken and before I knew what was happening the wife put some together with homemade flat bread and gave it to me. 

It was wonderful and I'll take their container back to them after the storm. I was thinking of taking presents to the kids?  That shouldn't be our of line right?  I was thinking maybe a soccer ball for the boy and a stuffed animal for the girl?  Maybe someone that knows Arabic culture better could guide me?

Btw those two things on top that I assumed were snap peas?  They were not. They were peppers and very hot. 

Kiddo gifts are always fair game.  You happen to have an amazing cook for a mom so a gift of some southern cooking goodness would likely also be appreciated!

You have to love people that are so open and caring.  I'm sure also appreciated your kindness and interest you showed them.

In reply to 84FSP :

Thanks.  I thought about something like that but there's so much pork stuff in southern cooking I didn't want to risk that.

I think what you mentioned would be great and very welcomed. 

They look like serrano peppers. As soon as I saw them I thought "I hope he did not just eat them whole" lol. 

In reply to Slippery :

I did.  In fact my dumbass ate one and said damn that's hot then I ate the other one.  Not the brightest bulb in the room.

I'm soooo envious of that meal you scored. I'd agree that kid gifts are safe here, with the disclaimer of no Afghan knowledge. I googled this up, which implies they were obligated to share what you complimented. It also suggests that they will initially decline your gifts, but you should persist through a decline or two. Interesting read HERE. 

In reply to Mezzanine :

That link helps and makes sense.  I was actually really interested in what spices they (she) used but in talking with the husband I caught on quick that he didn't know so I just said "curry?" and he agreed so I left it at that.  I know enough and catch clues easy enough to know the seperation of male and female but I also got the idea that they warmed up to me and that the wife was I guess for lack of a better word "allowed" to interact with me more.

So this raises my next question.  Each Christmas Lil Stampie and I do a secret Santa.  It started with neighbors when he was young but has evolved into one of my customers through the years.  Typically I pick them out and so that they don't know who it came from he delivers the present.  I was thinking this family with maybe a present for each one.  That might be difficult with their gift rules.

Stampie,

I am too familiar with this. Message me offline. Maybe this is the finally a way I can repay you for the Caddy help. 

One doesn't give empty food containers back. It is rude. Cook something, and give it to them. Don't give them pork.  They eat lamb/chicken/beef but has to be halal, which grocery store ones often are not. Veggie dish/sweet is safe. 

Kids for present is a great idea. 

They also don't celebrate X mas - but they know living in USA, that is normal. They celebrate Eid. 

As I said - I know too much - we can do a phone call and I can go over it in detail with you.  The chillis you see there, I have about 95 of those trees, much hotter than those. We cross breed them.  Be happy to mail you some.

-Ryan

Slippery said:

I think what you mentioned would be great and very welcomed. 

They look like serrano peppers. As soon as I saw them I thought "I hope he did not just eat them whole" lol. 

Not Seranno. Naga or Bhut Jolokia depends where you are from. We cook them in the curry. Also we have a plate of them/raw onions at the table. For people who want more spicey than the curry, you eat rice/bread in your mouth, you take half a bite of the pepper, and then you eat the curry.

Between 11-13 years old is when you start eating these raw in your regular diet. 

https://www.onmanorama.com/food/features/2021/04/07/indian-chillies-you-must-know-about.html

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Ok I'll text/call you probably tomorrow.  I understand the Christmas thing but was hoping they'd understand a gift during the holidays.  Having seen a very strict Muslim family with a Christmas tree I know understand the want to fit in with Americans.  I was going to do it as a secular thing which I hope he would understand.  I'm thinking Lil Stampie will get to make some of his blackened ribeyes for the container to go back.

Stampie said:

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Ok I'll text/call you probably tomorrow.  I understand the Christmas thing but was hoping they'd understand a gift during the holidays.  Having seen a very strict Muslim family with a Christmas tree I know understand the want to fit in with Americans.  I was going to do it as a secular thing which I hope he would understand.  I'm thinking Lil Stampie will get to make some of his blackened ribeyes for the container to go back.

Anytime! Yup secular thing is perfect. Muslims though they exchange gifts during the two Eids (slaughter cow one Eid, gift another) - do accept gifts during X mas, when living in a country like the US. They also give gifts to their X mas celebrating neighbors (depends on how m any years they have lived here) - as it is just the custom of the land, and less a religious thing.

A strict muslim with a X mas tree - that is a loaded one - I don't want to touch here - but I know why some do it. 

Looking foreward to chatting with you.