Submitted by Poulette, Nov 21, 2007 12:28

I wonder if it is part of being on the East/West Coast connection that colors the commentary? I have to admit that in my time in the Midwest or South, I was always perfectly aware that this dinner was an occasion for thankfulness, in addition to family and food. But celebrating "occasions" by making special foods is simply part of celebrations period. In Poland, Christmas dinner has foods that you may not eat any other time of year, for example.

Living overseas, this is one holiday no American is willing to forego. It is akin to the Catholics who celebrate Ash Wednesday even though it is not a Holy Day of Obligation: it is essential to the CULTURE of being Catholic, Thankgiving is essential to the culture of being American. Here in Paris, we even let the 4th pass by with relatively little hoopla. But we will spend fortunes and weeks hunting down obscure items like whole turkeys and cranberries in Parisian supermarkets. Stuffing? That gets brought over in the suitcases of visiting relatives. The story of Thanksgiving is duly recited (and the American Library holds children's events around the theme), and occasionally our French friends are invited, to their befuddlement. Anything that smacks of religion and such uncomfortable things so foreign to the French character as "thankfulness" are viewed with a bit of a jaundiced eye. But they do appreciate a well-cooked meal.

As for the meat not being any good: BRINING. It's the only way.

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