Well, most Indian subcontinent Muslims eat similarly; sitting on the ground and with only very minor differences to the Arab/Persian Gulf way; for example, I didn't know about the shake of the qahwa cup to show you're done or the few rice grains to show you want more; I just speak to my hosts and let them know; and at any rate, most of the time I want more of everything haha - I consider it my duty to finish as much of that heavenly Mandi/machboos as I can haha; besides, the details can be a bit here and there in the modern day and most qataris and Arabs realise that their countries and cultures have become more cosmopolitan and are understanding of any misses made by their guests; but yes, for me personally; no lavish 5 star banquet dinner table with shiny cutlery and a million different dishes, even comes close to the homely communal feeling of sitting on the ground and eating a simple but divine machboos from the same dish with your hands; every person eating with me feels like my brother and there is no formality and no reserve; no holding your spoon this way and your fork that way and your napkin here and your soup bowl there and all that complicated nonsense haha; it reminds me of how my mother used to feed me and my brothers from the same plate with her hands as we all sat in a circle around her, eagerly waiting for our next bite hahaha...oh man the memories; I enjoyed this post; have a great day everyone :-)
Well, most Indian subcontinent Muslims eat similarly; sitting on the ground and with only very minor differences to the Arab/Persian Gulf way; for example, I didn't know about the shake of the qahwa cup to show you're done or the few rice grains to show you want more; I just speak to my hosts and let them know; and at any rate, most of the time I want more of everything haha - I consider it my duty to finish as much of that heavenly Mandi/machboos as I can haha; besides, the details can be a bit here and there in the modern day and most qataris and Arabs realise that their countries and cultures have become more cosmopolitan and are understanding of any misses made by their guests; but yes, for me personally; no lavish 5 star banquet dinner table with shiny cutlery and a million different dishes, even comes close to the homely communal feeling of sitting on the ground and eating a simple but divine machboos from the same dish with your hands; every person eating with me feels like my brother and there is no formality and no reserve; no holding your spoon this way and your fork that way and your napkin here and your soup bowl there and all that complicated nonsense haha; it reminds me of how my mother used to feed me and my brothers from the same plate with her hands as we all sat in a circle around her, eagerly waiting for our next bite hahaha...oh man the memories; I enjoyed this post; have a great day everyone :-)