So, here we’ve learned about some polite ways to turn down a second helping. Have any of you ever been in this situation? What did you say? Did the person who was trying to serve you get offended?

Bouks,

Great to hear from you again! Here’s a little anecdote. One time when I was living in Chile (Concepción), I was staying at a “pensión”, a big old house with a number of rooms, where you could rent a room and get meals. I was there for about six months in all.

After about the third month, I couldn’t handle the food anymore: “porotes” (big beans) with noodles and some kind of pork. I like beans a lot, but this was just too much, plus, I like to cook and felt like I was missing out by not cooking for myself. So, I spoke with “la señora” and explained to her that I would no longer be needing those services anymore, but that I would like to continue to say (there was a small kitchen in the building where I was living).

She instantly began speaking to me formally (in “usted”), even though up until then, “siempre me había tuteado” (she had always spoken to me informally, in the “tú” form). And from then on, her sons would never talk to me!!! I have to say, I felt bad and it was a good lesson, however, on the other hand, I think there was a little lack of understanding on their part; but that’s what happens when cultures clash, right?

In any case, this idiosyncrasy of practically forcing someone to eat and taking offense if he or she doesn’t could be pinned on a lot of cultures most likely; however, among those, we’ve definitely got to include the Latinos!

¡Provecho!

Joseph