So I just finished eating lunch over at my sister’s house. She and her family live two doors down (isn’t that great — terrible?!? :P), and while I was enjoying a nice bowl of wonton soup (that stuff owns), I ate in the counter area, while the rest of their family ate at the dining table next to me. And knowing how spicy I like my soup, I went for a cup of water after finishing my meal half-way. I poured some. I drank some. I felt instantly refreshed, and my mouth doused of the flaming hot sauce. But that’s not the point.

Shortly after I drank, I got back to eating, and while finishing this meal up, one of my nephews got up and grabbed a cup of water, too, just like his good old uncle (me, you ‘tards). Before he could pour some, however, he was promptly stopped by his mom, who said in a study tone that he’s not allowed to drink water until well after the meal is finished. The same applied to everyone else too (but me). So no one drank until after the meal. This held me in bewilderment.

Why oh why do some families have to wait ’til after the meal to drink the dosage of water? I’ve been wondering about this for sometime now. It doesn’t make sense to me, for I know that I wouldn’t last long without water during a meal. I must have my regular sips of water if I am to throughly enjoy my meal. My throat dries out fast, and then comes a point where I simply cannot take any more food down the throat until I get some fluids in. Is it just me, or perhaps other people feel this way too? If my nephews did, it would sure suck for them having to eat their entire meal without water ’til afterward. Why some families do this, I don’t understand — is it some lame tradition, a common gesture of courtesy, or perhaps something even more? It’s something that I probably won’t understand, and for now, I remain glad that my family doesn’t care about me drinking water during a meal, for I am well used to it now.