Wednesday 23 February 2022

Men Who Lunch


Tou Asotou..The Feast of the Prodigal Son, the second Sunday before Lent in the Orthodox calendar.  That was last Sunday.  Another celebration my husband looks forward to every year.

  Most know the parable of the younger son who demanded his inheritance and then went off and squandered it on wine, women and song. He returns home with his tail between his legs and instead of being cast out is welcomed by his father who 'kills the fatted calf'.

Greek men, the ones in my neighbourhood, celebrate this day as the Feast of all 'naughty boys'.  Just one day in many of their celebrations.  K says prodigal sons celebrate for 6 months before their fiesta and six months afterwards.

I say he's too old to be a prodigal son and should leave it to his grandchildren.  Yet he's never too old for celebration and jubilation.

The men gather to drink wine, gossip (men gossip so much more than women!), argue vehemently, consider, debate and deliberate.  Talking makes them thirsty and very hungry.  And you never drink without eating something to soak up the alcohol.

The meze  is usually meat, a piece of roasted pig, lamb chops or a rooster, slow boiled and stewed with tomatoes.

They don't each have a big plate in front of them.  A meze is a communal plate with chunks of meat from which they cut small fragrant mouthfuls and smother in mustard or tzatziki.  Some aromatic feta cheese, bread, a tomato doused in olive oil, a jug of wine, and no wives around to nag,  makes for happy boys.




At the end of it all they stagger out to their motorbikes and weave their way home, as is the custom here
 



20 comments:

  1. Do they ‘gather’ in a cafe or one of the homes?

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    1. Sometimes it's a cafe or taverna but because it's always a Sunday it will be a home. They can stay as long as they want and no bill!

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  2. Our version here is an evening in the pub with several pints and a packet of crisps.
    Your version sounds a heck of a lot more enjoyable.

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    1. These little gatherings can go on for many hours. A packet of chips doesn't give em that stamina needed!

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  3. I'm wondering how lemony those potatoes were.

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    1. You control the lemony-ness. Don't overdo it or they'll be bitter

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  4. Now that's good life. Do the 'girls' go off and do a bit of 'gone fishing' or something while all this eating and drinking is underway?

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    Replies
    1. 'Girls' disappear and enjoy a good book and computer time 😁

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  5. Such interesting Greek customs!

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  6. There seems to be a religious occasion every week over there! This one in particular sounds fun and delicious (for the men) but I do worry about them driving home on their motorbikes :)

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    Replies
    1. They think they drive better after a glass or three - till they crash on not something

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  7. I’ve always hated that story
    I felt sorry for the good son.
    But it really would be nice to just sit, eat, drink and debate all day long

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    1. Yes I feel sorry for the good son too. Not damn fair.

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  8. Good to hear that Naughty Boys have their own day, but it sounds as if they celebrate every day!

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  9. Replies
    1. I make sure I keep out of this chaos. Naughty girls? They do the clean up

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  10. I hope you got to have a girls day or did something you enjoy while the men were all occupied.

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    1. At least the girls do have one day. 8th March International Women's Day. We all go out and drink together. I used to join in. Can't be bothered now. I celebrate at home and k does the cooking

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