miércoles, 30 de julio de 2008

La Sobremesa

Estar en sobremesa or Tener una sobremesa means "chatting after having meals (wether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner)". You can also say "Echar la sobremesa" (this is a bit more informal though). If you've read some past entries (like "Echarse un fucho"), you'll see that we Mexicans use the verb "echar" for many things.
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When we stay in Calpulalpan, we have 'sobremesas' very often, because we generally go to that town during the weekend, "puentes" ("bridges" - long weekends; I'll explain this in the future) or holidays.
So because of those free times, Mexicans have more 'wasting-time' (ocio - pastime): we forget schools or job, and the week-stress too. A day like this is eternal and there are more chances of having sobremesas.

Sobremesa después de la cena (Sobremesa after dinner). Calpulalpan, Tlax. Foto: Daniel Orizaga

Sobremesa styles are different according to each family's habits: you may read a chapter of a book and talk about it, you discuss about politics or philosophy, you talk about funny anecdotes happened during the week, you tell your experiences in your last holiday-trip, or you just talk about whatever you want.

It's important if you have non-relative-people there (I mean, friends or sth.). Generally, when this happens, sobremesas are much longer and the conversation is about the guest. And of course, the family-members' manners change (they're kind and speak 'smartly').

No doubt, in every sobremesa the essential drink is COFFEE... or tea, but it's less common.

My recommendation: when you visit a Mexican family, don't ever speak about religion or politics, because that could bring a strong discussion that usually becomes a word-fight. Just be cool, sobremesas are for fun!

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