Culture Clash

I think I just got criticized by my mother-in-law for the very first time in our relationship.

And, yes: I realize exactly how lucky I am.

Now Bruno swears that in his culture what occurred isn't a criticism, but rather, is a common utterance, like saying "good morning" or "what's up"

The basic gist of the critique is this: Mama Ratka is unsatisfied with the lunch I chose today, feeling that it is not enough food to feed three.

I asked for two eggs, scrambled with cottage cheese, and some tomatoes, cucumbers and red peppers.. And this is after a first breakfast of whole grain toast, nut butter and jam, a glass of milk and a glass of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice, and a second breakfast of dried apricots and cheese.

I feel that nutritionally and caloric-ally, I am doing just fine for it only being noon.

It seems to me that this moment is somehow a rite of passage, a moment where Ratka is taking our relationship to a new level. Where she feels comfortable enough to tell me what she really thinks. And I think I'm ready for it. I mean, it has been wonderful to have no conflicts, to skate on the surface and generate all kinds of good-will through our attempts to overcome our language difficulties. But perhaps the time is right to...

Bruno breaks my musing with a phone call in which he laughs at me and states that a Croatian Mama telling someone to eat more is the same thing as a Croatian Mama breathing in and breathing out.

And as I hang up the phone, Ratka appears at the door, asking what else I'd like to eat.

To keep the peace, I tell her I'd love some whole grain crackers. She says, "Samo crackers?" ("Only crackers?")

Breathe in. Breathe out.