Kazakhstan--Culture Smart! by Dina Zhansagimova

Author:Dina Zhansagimova [Zhansagimova, Dina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-85733-682-5
Publisher: Kuperard
Published: 2013-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

INVITATIONS HOME

Kazakhs have always held guests in high regard. Hospitality is one of the main national characteristics, displayed at its best in Kazakh auls (villages) in the countryside. Here children learn hospitality and respect from a young age.

If you visit a rural Kazakh family, whether or not you are expected, everyone will stand up to greet you as you enter. You will be seated on the tor, the special guest seat, and offered tea and biscuits, baursaks (donuts), and sweets. Traditional etiquette requires your host to remain silent until you have been refreshed. You will be genuinely welcome to stay on for a meal, if you are not in a hurry, and if you are breaking a journey you will be invited to stay overnight, or even for several days. If the family’s circumstances allow, they will slaughter an animal (usually a lamb or a sheep) to serve you the traditional dish of beshbarmak (see this page), and will want to make sure you are well fed and comfortable throughout your stay. This doesn’t mean that a complete stranger can enter any house in any village and expect such treatment, but you are unlikely to be turned away if you find yourself in difficult circumstances for some reason.

In the cities things are much more formal, and people don’t usually visit others at home without an invitation, or without letting the host know that they are coming. If you show up at short notice you will be served tea and snacks, and if expected you will probably be served a proper meal.

If it’s a special occasion, expect a feast. Usually, as many guests are invited as will fit around the host’s table, and you are likely to spend most of the time there. A selection of starters will be served, followed by one or two main dishes, then, after a break, tea and sweet dishes. Expect to be completely stuffed by the end of it, as whenever your plate looks less than mountainous with food, the hosts will pile on some more. The same will happen with the drink in your glass, so one has to be careful not to get drunk. Strong drinks, such as vodka and cognac, are not drunk without a toast (see below), but sipping wine during the meal is fine. If your hosts know you are a vegetarian, they are likely to prepare separate food for you, which you must eat. Not eating the food provided is offensive.

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