Our Lebanese moms tend to go a bit overboard when hosting parties, or even just small gatherings at home, with all the things they offer their guests. Everything has to be perfect, from start to finish.
If something doesn't go their way, our moms might become a bit ... neurotic? That's why it's best to either help with meticulous precision, or stay out of their way.
Here's a list of things that must be perfect:
1. The beverages
Whatever might possibly come to your mind as a guest, a Lebanese mother will have it: beer, wine, 7 Up, Pepsi and Coca Cola, Perrier and Diet Ice Tea (peach flavor, don't worry). They've got it.
The same goes for coffee and tea afterwards: black coffee, turkish coffee, white coffee. green tea, camomile or vanilla tea. Just name it.
Bowls of roasted nuts are a staple in the Arab world, especially if guests are coming over. There will be at least two bowls of dried watermelon or pumpkin seeds (bizir), a bowl of dried chickpeas (kidameh), and a bowl of mixed nuts for you to dig for your favorites. These may be accompanied with carrots in lemon juice or turmus (lupine).
After you've filled up on nuts, she'll bring out the salads. You'll have your choice of tabbouleh, fattoush, rocket salad, some salad with crab, another with fresh mushrooms, and one she made up on the spot. And when we said choice, we lied ... you have to try all of them!
Thankfully, the main course is usually just one big meal, but with many things on the side. For example, if she's made homemade chicken shawarma, you'll have bread, garlic, fries, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce and whatever else you could possibly fit in a sandwich on the side.
Tip: Don't even think of just having one sandwich.
As Arabs, we tend to have fruit for dessert. So, on the table there will be a half a watermelon that's beautifully cut, some grapes on a board with cheese and maybe some strawberries perfectly arranged. If that's not enough – and it never is – there should probably be some baklava or halawet el jebn somewhere.
Everything from the m'asal to the coal will be perfect or will suffer dire consequences. The shisha has to be the best you've ever tried or it's not good enough. This will also be the point where you have your coffee or tea.
Finally, above all else, the hostess must always be perfect. You will be amazed by her poise and grace. You'll have no choice but to smile back at her plastered on smile ... that is, if you catch a glimpse of her. The hostess has to keep running around to make sure everything is alright. But, hey, that's ok! Next time, you invite, and maybe you'll get to spend time with her then (if you're hosting, probably not).