Cycle 17 – Item 263

Post 6,107

25 (Fri) September 2026

Chuseok

2.5

by Mom

at the cabin

-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

with W and IZ, M+D, maternal kin

After dinner tonight, my mother declared that she’d had enough, as she always does, though this time she sounded more sincere.  Too many mouths to feed, too expensive, too much work.

Long story, short: as were discussing the matter – including my view that, indeed, these multi-generational gatherings with extended families had scaled beyond reasonable manageability – one person at the table (a family member from my mother’s generation) leapt up, visibly furious, yelling something to the effect of “I will not take this anymore!  I am never coming back!”  And stormed out.

One theory to explain the reaction was that the person had felt disrespected/disempowered when the younger generation (led by me) was driving, or even being part of, the conversation.  Yet another example of old people refusing to let go.

Another theory is that the person felt guilty about not contributing enough to the costs/efforts of the dinner, even though their cohort was the largest (at 7).  Apparently, my mother had been making a big fuss about having to prepare extra food for the larger crowd this year.

Whatever the reason, the incident confirms what I’d said last year: “I still believe that the gatherings have run their course and will continue looking for ways to dismantle or at least downsize them (see 16.274 Saewoosal).”

So, JS and I agreed to take over next time (Lunar New Year).  Already, we’re thinking of something Italianish, as we had done previously for a Chuseok Eve dinner a few years ago (see 13.248 Caprese Salad with Smoked Salmon).  While this wouldn’t be dismantling/downsizing per se, it puts us in control (as we should be) and into position to dismantle/downsize down the road.

(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See HANSIK)

(See BOOZE)