Family codes and ritualsFreddy Woo writes, "as a child we used to have a 'whoever cuts doesn't choose the slice' rule with cake. It worked brilliantly, but it's left me completely anal about dividing up food - my wife just takes the piss as I ritually compare all the slice sizes."
What codes and rituals does your family have?
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chthonic, Thu 20 Nov 2008, 18:05)
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SnooozzzzzzesChristmas Day with my family is something I very much look forward to every year. My brother and I retreat back to our parents' house where we grew up, and promptly commence a well-deserved bout of lying around enjoying their hospitality (read: fridge full of booze and food). I usually bring back my laptop, PS3, and a crap-load of washing to do, while my brother will bring only his laptop for some decent online poker sessions.
However, these are not the rituals which deserve the most mention. There is one ritual which surmounts them all; one ritual that we partake in without fail, every year.
Over Christmas dinner, the men of the household take a bet... namely: "how long will it take for mum to fall asleep on the sofa after Christmas dinner?"
Years ago we would be guessing somewhere in the region of "1 hour!" or "1 and a half hours!" or "45 minutes!" from someone who had surreptitiously been plying her with alcohol all morning. Unfortunately the variables (mainly age and the increasing affordability of Christmas champers) have now brought this time down to a matter of a few minutes, thus decreasing the margin for error substantially. This year I may even put a bet on her falling asleep at the table, using a leftover spud as a makeshift pillow.
The bet is an honourable one - there is no prize other than the smug sense of a well-deserved win, and there are no sabotage attempts to keep her awake. We just sit quietly watching TV and digesting the turkey 'n spuds, all the while waiting for the beginning stages of her heavy breathing - and the official state of slumber.
At this point the men smile and look at their watches to declare the victor. "YES!" will be the cry from one of us, which startles mother awake and into an embarrassed laugh - there's always an element of annoyance in her being subject to this bet, but she has to laugh as she resigns herself to the futility of staying awake... she just needs a nap.
(, Fri 21 Nov 2008, 11:57, 2 replies)
Now thatIs a lovely tradition - long may it continue.
*click*
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snee held his breath since, Fri 21 Nov 2008, 12:16,
closed)
Wins.Wins, I tell you.
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Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Fri 21 Nov 2008, 12:26,
closed)
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