Work Dinner

So tonight I witnessed a real life work-family dinner. I say that because so many places I’ve worked have claimed that we are a family, or were a family-first organization and it always seemed like a ploy to get teams to do more work. But my aunt’s team truly gets along and had a big dinner at their team lead’s house. The dinner included family, not just coworkers. (Hence my attendance) and it was on the equivalent of  a Sunday the day before the start of the workweek. Can you tell I’m intrigued by all this extra-workday coworker activity?

Well it’s because they all seem to really know and like each other! Keep in mind the day before everyone was also together for Thanksgiving at my aunt’s house. My team at work definitely got together once or twice a year, had meals together in office and at restaurants. But never everyone at the same time and never extending invites to  everyone’s families unless there was some kind of family day at the office. It was just a different vibe.

Bangladeshi culture is very family centered and I was told today that wives often marry and move into their husband’s households. There are oftentimes multiple generations living in the same house. Again very different in the USA where we tend to lead much more isolated lives. I find it very endearing and practical. But I can’t say that I would choose to turn back time and pursue that course. Probably would have ended up and old maid in my parent’s house as opposed to an old maid with my own house lol (Revised: just kidding I am NOT an old maid) anyway…. I digress. 

The food at dinner was great! Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone with me to take more photos, so I hope to get photos from people that I can post to show the spread of delicious Bangladeshi food! It’s been a great way to end my week before heading to Sri Lanka.

Another plus for today is that I was able to write this entire post on my way home from dinner. We are going so slowly due to intense traffic that there’s no chance I’d get carsick reading and writing in the vehicle. This is the glow of red tail lights on my face as I sit in the backseat. 

I can also really feel the smoke and pollution in this area. Nevertheless it’s been great to get out and enjoy the night with coworkers, friends and family!