How to Visit Newfoundlanders for Supper
So you’ve been invited to visit a Newfoundland family for supper. You’re in for a rare treat! Newfoundlanders are known for their hospitality and friendliness. Even so, there’s room for guidance on how to make a good impression! This guide will detail what to expect, and how to behave, during a visit to a Newfoundland home.
| Below the Surface: The visible behaviours and practices of Newfoundlanders are, in most cases, just the tip of the “iceberg” (French & Bell,1979; Selfridge & Sokolik, 1975); they are often a result of a complex set of “cultural values, beliefs and norms”, hidden below the surface. |
How to Announce your Arrival
- Ring the doorbell,
- knock on the door, or
- don’t announce your arrival; just walk right on in.
The third is often expected! This is especially so if you were asked to arrive at a specific time.
| Below the Surface: Feel strange just walking into a house unannounced? Well, many older Newfoundlanders grew up with large families in small communities. Friends and family often came by without warning, without knocking, no matter the occasion. This warmth and acceptance has carried through to most modern homes. |
The only exception to this is if you’re in the city, St. John’s. Then, ring or knock first.
Greetings
Expect to be warmly greeted at the door. Expect a firm handshake from the man (“ol’ man” or “me ol’ cock” – yes, Newfoundland has a unique dialect).
Expect a hug or a kiss on the cheek (or even sometimes the lips) from the woman (“da misses”) even if you’ve never met before! It is courteous to allow this, even if you’re not the cuddly type.
| Below the Surface: Many Newfoundland women are the primary source of love and tenderness in the home. While they may be the “heart” of the family, it is rarely an act. They are genuinely happy to host you! |
Entering the Home
You should remove your shoes upon entering the home. The host may argue and say “keep your shoes on, lover” but really; take them off. The only exception is if you’re in an unfinished porch, in which case you’d remove them upon entering the main home.
A good rule of thumb is “if you keep your shoes on, you’re doing it wrong”. If you do forget, return to the porch and remove them as soon as you remember. The hosts won’t mind.
| Below the Surface: Weather in Newfoundland is notoriously poor most of the year. Keeping your shoes on indoors risks tracking in snow and/or mud, neither of which is appreciated. Poor weather has shaped the culture, and most homes have a “shoes off” rule even when the weather is perfectly nice (about one month out of the year). |
Before Supper
Expect to be offered a drink (usually alcoholic) although water, juice and milk are often available. Quidi Vidi, Black Horse and Blue Star are common beers from local breweries.
You may refuse an alcoholic beverage but should accept at least one drink, even if you’re not thirsty.
You may be asked a number of questions about yourself before supper, like “where’re ya from?” or “who’s yer mudder?” These questions may seem overly personal or “nosey”, but they’re often asked with best intentions. You should also expect the hosts to talk (or complain) at length about the weather.
| Below the Surface: The island of Newfoundland is, essentially, genetically isolated. When Newfoundlanders ask questions like “who’s yer mudder?”, they’re usually just curious if you’re related to someone they know. In this way, Newfoundland’s geographical isolation has shaped its culture. |
Supper
Prepare yourself for a “scoff” (a big meal)!
You will be expected to arrive with a hearty appetite. In Newfoundland, “food equals love”; the more you eat, the more you’re suggesting you enjoy the food, and the more you’ll likely be liked!
Expect to eat at a large table. Upon finishing your plate expect to hear “there’s plenty more, help yourself!” It’s OK to refuse if you’re truly full, just tell the hosts you’re “stogged” or “stuffed to the gills”.
| Below the Surface: Getting food on the table in Newfoundland, before imported foods, was often a struggle. Food was a precious commodity and sharing it with others showed them they were welcome. Cooked food was hard to preserve; anything uneaten would be wasted. Today, food is easy to preserve, but the culture of eating as much as you can at a meal remains. |
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Traditional Meals to Expect |
Additional Information |
| Cod au Gratin | Literally translates to “cod covered with breadcrumbs and/or cheese and browned”. The name harkens back to Newfoundland’s original settlers, among which were the Portuguese. |
| Fish and Brewis | Primarily consists of salt cod and boiled “hard tack”, a type of simple, nonperishable biscuit. |
| Jiggs Dinner | Boiled vegetables (cabbage, carrots, potatoes, turnip, and peas pudding) with “salt meat” (generally trimmed, cured beef navel). Sometimes gravy. |
| Below the Surface: Harsh conditions shaped the food culture of Newfoundland. Fresh meat was rare and nearly impossible to keep but cod was plentiful. It could be stored long-term when salted. Root vegetables grow easily in Newfoundland soil and could be preserved in dark, underground cellars. These circumstances made them common ingredients for traditional meals. |
After Supper
Expect to be offered tea, coffee, and at least one type of dessert. “Snowballs” are extremely common (and delicious). The same rules of fullness apply: refuse only if you’re stogged. If you do accept but can’t finish, your hosts will appreciate the effort.
Expect to sit and chat for at least an hour after the meal is finished. It’s polite and encouraged to contribute stories, but many Newfoundlanders are born storytellers and will have plenty of entertaining “yarns” (stories). You’ll likely be offered another alcoholic drink. In fact, expect to be asked every time your glass is empty. You may refuse or accept.
When drinks are flowing it’s common for musical instruments to come out. Accordion and harmonica are Newfoundland staples, along with guitar and fiddle. Sometimes it will turn into a “kitchen party”. Stomping your feet or clapping your hands to the beat is enough to show that you’re enjoying it. Singing along is even better! This is a great way to end your visit to a Newfoundlander’s home, and you can often stay as long as you like. Or until the rum’s gone.
| Below the Surface: Rural and outport Newfoundland communities didn’t even have electricity until about the late 50’s. Even then, Newfoundlanders usually had to make their own fun. Isolation shaped the culture once again, as storytelling and music became two popular pastimes. These traditions are passed on even now, and Newfoundland is known for its storytellers (e.g. Rick Mercer) and musicians (e.g. Great Big Sea and Hey Rosetta!). |
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Bonus Content (Warning: May Contain Mature Language)
This post was transferred as-is from a discussion post within ETEC565G on Canvas. As such, the formatting may not be perfect in all areas. My apologies!