American influencer Kristen Fischer, residing in New Delhi with her family for the past few years, recently highlighted a significant cultural adjustment: the contrasting approaches to dinner parties in India and the United States. In a video shared on Instagram, Fischer described the stark difference between the American custom of serving food immediately upon guests’ arrival and the Indian practice of socializing extensively before the meal.
In the US, Fischer explains, the meal marks the *beginning* of the evening’s social gathering. Food is served promptly, and conversation flows thereafter. However, in India, the social interaction takes precedence, with the meal serving as the *culmination* of the evening, often served much later. This shift has proved particularly challenging for Fischer, who initially found herself sitting hungry, unsure of when the meal would be served. The unexpected delay, combined with the common occurrence of guests arriving late, further amplified the cultural disconnect.
Fischer candidly admits her struggle to adapt to this practice. The idea of serving food hours after guests arrive, potentially resulting in cold food or requiring extensive kitchen preparation, clashes with her American sensibilities. She emphasizes her attempts to embrace Indian customs but confesses that this particular aspect remains insurmountable. She recounts multiple instances of leaving friends’ homes after 11 PM without having eaten, only to be questioned about her early departure, further highlighting the cultural chasm.
Fischer’s post resonated with many followers, who shared their own experiences in the comments section. Some affirmed her observations, while others described similar reverse culture shock when visiting the US, illustrating the reciprocal nature of these cultural differences in social etiquette.