Cooking and Eating with Other Peace Corps Volunteers

Cooking and Eating with Other Peace Corps Volunteers

on left, pot cooking on stove; on middle, text Cooking and Eating with Other PCVs; on right, woman eating burrito

There is a culture of food when cooking and eating with other Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). There are also common basic expectations when you are cooking and eating with other PCVs in country. You may each have your preferences. You don’t stand on ceremony. But you still need to work together to have a great dining experience.

Share the Work

PCVs share the work. If you did not prepare the meal, then expect to help clean up. Don’t peel a couple of potatoes and think you have contributed your fair share. Do those dishes. Set the table. Just contribute. Pitch in wherever you can. Try to do more. If not, you are not likely to be invited to the next gathering.

PCVs are not obligated to carry the load of other PCVs. If you are living with other PCVs, don’t expect “the woman” to become the personal chef and housekeeper. Did they agree? Are you contributing in other ways? We are in this together as equals.

Pay Your Fair Share

Person taking dollar bills out of a wallet

If PCVs gather for cooking and eating a meal at home, split the cost of that groceries that everyone is eating. But pay for your own drinks and alcohol.

Don’t want to share that favorite snack that you traveled three hours to find? Pay for it then claim it as yours.

If dining out, pay your fair share. If you ordered and ate most of the appetizers, don’t pretend you ordered it for the whole table. When you ordered pricey items and/or alcohol, don’t try to make others foot the bill even if they come from a wealthy family.

If you “tasted” half of someone’s appetizer, chip in for it. Don’t expect other PCVs to cover your expenses. If you don’t pull your weight, don’t be surprised if you are left out of the PCV restaurant invite.

Set Expectations in Advance

For PCVs gathering at a restaurant, it is best to pay individually. But if the expectation is for everyone to evenly split the cost, make sure everyone is in agreement before ordering. If you are ordering for the table to share, did they agree to it? Is it fair to expect someone drinking water to contribute the same amount as someone who polished off a six-pack of beer? Don’t be that person who consumes a mountain of food and alcoholic drinks and then suggests everyone split it when the check comes.

And just because you are gathering for a meal at another PCV’s home, that doesn’t mean everything they have is available for you to eat and drink. It may have taken weeks for that favorite snack to arrive in that care package. They may be saving it for a special moment. Ask first. Don’t assume everything is there for you.

PCVs of Different Cultures

And don’t forget that PCVs could also come from a variety of cultures too. Are there certain pre or post dining rituals they have? Should you participate or wait patiently until they are finished?

Are there certain foods that the PCV avoids or is allergic to? If so, keep it out of the common foods. Take the time to learn about other PCVs too. That makes you a better friend. Respect everyone you interact with during Peace Corps service, whether it is another PCV or Host Country Nationals (HCNs).

Share Your Culture While Cooking and Eating

When interacting with PCVs or HCNs, take the opportunity to learn about their culture. Food showcases the shared cultural history, beliefs, and values. Cooking and eating together is a great opportunity to explore each other’s culture.

But try not to impose your culture without considering theirs. Just because you “always do it that way” doesn’t mean it is the only way. You are still the guest in another PCV’s home. And, you are a guest in someone else’s country, even when you are the one hosting the meal there. Take this opportunity to learn from everyone you encounter during your Peace Corps service.

RPCVs have a lot of tips from lessons learned the hard way. Let us know so that we can share them with the next generation of PCVs.

What are the lessons learned from cooking and eating with PCVs?

 

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