Today we had Sunday dinner with Christina P.’s cousin. He was celebrating his promotion since he is the new head of police at his local station. There were many dishes prepared and many family members who wanted to come and celebrate Christina P.’s cousin.

Differences in Serving Alcohol at Celebrations in Laos and the U.S.

In Lao culture, the host offers you a drink and they drink first if you ask them to. The host will offer you many drinks throughout the course of the night, typically. I didn’t want anything to drink since I don’t like whiskey or beer, and I have to go to Lao language class tomorrow. However, it was very difficult to refuse since Lao people want their guests to drink and have a good time. The host wants their guest to celebrate with them, so offering guests alcohol multiple times is seen as a friendly gesture rather than a form of peer pressure. Offering guests drinks several times is indicative of a caring host in Laos, and this is not a form of hazing like it is in the United States.

You can refuse if you don’t want to drink, but you are encouraged to imbibe. My fellow ETAs had a few drinks, and the host enjoyed that they wanted to celebrate with him in that way. The host must have asked me to drink 6 or 7 times, and each time I refused. (He also asked the other ETAs 6 or 7 seven times. I mention this to show that I was not singled out.) My fellow ETAs recommended that I bring a pill bottle next time so I can point to it and say I can’t have alcohol. (I can drink alcohol, but I just don’t want any and the host will not take no for an answer unless I make up a good reason because drinking with the host at a party is a part of Lao celebration culture.) Next time I will definitely bring a medicine bottle!

Courtesy of Dohn121.hubpages

Beer Lao really is the national beer of Laos. It is the beer to drink if you’re here. The only other brands of beer that exist in Laos are Heineken and Carlsberg, but I rarely see anyone drinking those.

The most popular alcohol for important dinner celebrations in Laos is Johnny Walker. Beer Lao is also hyperpresent in Laos, so this is always served at parties.

Celebrating Christina P.’s Cousin

Much of Christina P.’s family was at the celebration for her uncle. Lao people are very warm and kind and are eager to treat their guests well. Her family said they hoped to see us again soon and that they hope we will come celebrate with them again.

Courtesy of Guerra, C. (2023)

At traditional dinners in Laos, you grab sticky rice out of the small baskets with your hands, ball it up, and eat it with sauce. There is usually one basket of sticky rice for every two or three people. You eat noodles and meats with chopsticks and soups with a separate bowl and spoon. (At traditonal meals, you normally sits on pillows on the floor and put the big dishes on the table; however, we ate outside, so we sat in chairs.) Traditional Lao meals are always served potluck style.

We had fish curry, chicken wings, congealed pork intestines, and spaghetti. I didn’t try any of the congealed pork intestines since I wasn’t feeling particularly adventurous. Pa Khong (Christina’s aunt) made us spaghetti since it was a special occasion, and she wanted to prepare something that she knew we ate at home. Lao spaghetti sauce is much sweeter than Italian marinara sauce in general. I really enjoyed the spaghetti since I have not had any pasta since I left the U.S. almost a month ago.

Courtesy of Guerra, C. (2023)

Notice the khao niao (“sticky rice”) in the small woven baskets!