Thanksgiving in Graz

Thanksgiving, of course, is an American holiday.  Well, what I mean is that the US version of Thanksgiving is an American story of thanks, bountiful harvest, cooperation, etc.  Many, many other cultures have something similar, typically celebrated earlier in the fall as a kind of Octoberfest, a celebration of the bounty of the harvest.

Anyway, all that to say, the fourth Thursday in November is not a holiday here of any kind.  So, what's an American family to do?  We decided to go ahead and send the kids to school (and also the next day instead of going shopping and consuming like fools).  I took the afternoon off so that we could have a "special dinner," but it was not our typical Thanksgiving dinner.  I cooked duck (still had a good taste in my mouth from Paris) and a typical Austrian dumpling.  Sue made her traditional cheese rolls.  We had brought some homemade Thanksgiving placemats with us from the US, which we used, and we talked about what we were thankful for.  It was quite nice and we weren't all stuffed to the gills, like normal!  That was not the case on Saturday ...

On Saturday we had dinner with four other "half-American" families.  Everyone contributed to the feast and we all shared stories of living in Graz/Austria as Americans.  The non-American partners talked about the times they lived in the US and how confusing our customs are.  It was quite funny.  Sue and I laughed and laughed about one story, which I am sure I will not be to do justice here, but it is the custom in the US of asking, "how's it going?"  In the US, of course, it is just, "what you say."  You mindlessly answer it and ask back, "how's it going?" (One friend, from the US, but teaching here, says that he actually has to teach his students just to answer "how's it going?" with "how's it going?" and they are so confused.)  It is not meant to be a question that is contemplated and given a thoughtful answer except under certain circumstances (close friend, private moment, usually only asking it like, "no, how are you doing?").  But Austrians take that question seriously.  One of our Austrian friends talked about being in the US and having that question asked of her while she was in line at the grocery store.  She said that she actually looked around and said, "but there are all these people in line."  Like, ok, even though I don't know you, I'll tell you, but it will take some time and I think all these people might become upset!

Henry and Grace playing a game at the kids' table

Another highlight of the evening was how we (adults) had time talking amongst ourselves.  The host family's "children" are 19 and 21.  And they both are just great with kids (we've already lined up, Anna, the 19-year old to babysit :-).  They kept the children entertained by decorating the table cloth, making crafts, playing games, etc.  For those parents out there, I'm sure you can understand the special joy of taking your kids to an event, where they don't particularly know anyone, and instead of clinging on you, they are engaged with other children and having a good time at the "kids table."  Bliss really.  Of course, we paid for it the next few days having stayed out too late and gotten them to bed late, etc.  But you know, life is like that.

So, yes, it was hard to be away at Thanksgiving and there are things that we missed.  But really, we had a great time and I'm sure we'll cherish our Austrian Thanksgiving for years to come.

Russ