It counts as manners I guess...what do you do?
By malpoa
@malpoa (1214)
India
August 3, 2010 2:07am CST
Do you return the bowl empty or give something back in it when your neighbour/ friend/ relative give you a share of something they made?
I have seen my mother returning some kind of food. It is a good gesture. I practice it too. Recently I have been getting cooked food of various variety from friends of my mother in law (they all know that I am pregnant and I get a share of any special item cooked in their home)
The problem is when I return these utensils back, I too make something and send it along. As soon as they get it they give back a call and say that I shouldn't be doing this hi hi..But I feel very awkward to return it empty.
What do you do? Do you always give a sweet dish for a sweet dish you got or just anything special you made?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@ashantiadj (41)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I really can't say what I'd do because I have never encountered this situation. Whenever a relative or friend cooks a dish, it is for holidays and they eat it with us. If someone were to give me a share of something they'd cooked, I really think that I'd try to return the favor. I think it would be a good way to strengthen simple relationships and show thanks better than words can.
@babykeka80 (2084)
• United States
3 Aug 10
I've never really hadthat problem. I don't have many recipes that are that food and I donthave many people giving me dishes so o guess it works out well.
@malpoa (1214)
• India
4 Aug 10
Hmm it does work for people who have busy life. Here in this apartment most of the aunties are homemakers and they have plenty of time...they consider me as their daughter/daughter in law..so I keep getting a share of their specials. Inspite of them asking me to not fill the bowls while returning, I feel obliged to do so.
@vandana7 (100303)
• India
3 Aug 10
Hi Malpoa, how are you doing? Actually, I faced this problem earlier, though I was not pregnant. I was too busy - working really hard - sort of burning candle at both ends. So I asked somebody, and they said you could buy some sweets or send some sugar. Alternately, make a dish just once in a week, and fill all those vessels and return them at one go, instead of returning them promptly. I found cake is the fastest way to return. It fills the bowl, and you can make ample quantities. :)
@malpoa (1214)
• India
4 Aug 10
Ah yes just waiting and waiting dear...another month and half to go as per schedule...
I did that you know..the other day all together I had 5 bowls and plates to return..now that is a high number.. I was like what to make...not just to fill the plates, but for home also...anything special means everyone needs a share...I made cake..the easiest of all..at one go I gave three bowls back..and yesterday I made vermicelli sevai..done for now...:)
@malpoa (1214)
• India
4 Aug 10
Yes that is open good and positive thing about getting something from people who are very close like relatives or best friends. In fact I still have the container, here in my kitchen waiting to be relieved, of my friend who gave stuffed rotis...I can return it any time I want empty or filled.
@malpoa (1214)
• India
4 Aug 10
Ha ha yes yes it does affect our relation especially when living in a cooperative apartment you better have friends than foes. In this busy days this bowl sharing becomes just an excuse to go to their home...have a chat and share our problems...we sure will make many friends...
@jerikjames (1041)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
My mom also does that. She doesn't want to return the borrowed kitchen utensil empty. So she makes it a point to share whatever food we have and place it inside the container whenever we return it. 
Maybe it is manners. But I think it's more of maintaining a good relationship with your neighbors. 
Maybe it is manners. But I think it's more of maintaining a good relationship with your neighbors. 
@rose005 (254)
• India
3 Aug 10
I saw my Mom is also doing that. She never return the empty bowl back. But what I think is its not that important to give back something. If I have then I will give but I will not make something to give back when I don't have. Some other day when I have than that time I will surely give them too ..
