pot luck

In Hawaii, potluck parties are big. Most times the host/hostess of the party asks the people coming to the party to bring a certain type of dish (like a protein or a salad).

And "Hawaii style" means you usually bring more than one dish and usually more food than the amount of people attending.

In Japan, they call parties in someone's home, a "home party" (I think in English it is called a "house party"?!), the hostess is almost always cooking while the guests are enjoying themselves and you"ll almost never see the hostess eating anything. (gasp!)

Another thing are the conversations...in Hawaii, most people mingle, walk around with their drinks and/or plates of food in their hands, chatting with the other guests.

Kids usually do not bother their parents instead finding somewhere to play.

In Japan, from what I've experienced, everyone gathers around a table, and there are many conversations all at once, competing with each other making their voices louder and louder.

Add to that, kids interrupting their parents conversations, all in all, it makes for one very noisy affair.

As a guest & hostess I've often felt worn out after attending & having these types of parties in Japan.

We just had one of these parties over the weekend and, maybe I'm biased, but I enjoyed the "laid back" feel of our potlucks in the Islands, especially with an awesome sunset like this one.

Do you have potluck parties where you live? How are they "run"?