Humberto Aguilar

Professor Whitson

NUFS-144 Sec 91

Interview Observation Assignment

I did two interviews for my cultural comparisons project. On February 20 at 6 pm, I

talked with my mom, Blanca Alvarado, in our kitchen. She is from Apatzingán, Michoacan, and

came to the United States about 25 years ago. Then on February 21 at 9 am, I met with my

coworker, Abdul Ahmadi, at our office. He arrived from Afghanistan only one year ago. I

wanted to learn how each person’s food habits, traditions, and celebrations changed here, and

how their cultures might have left a mark on the American way of life.

When I asked my mom about her old food routines in Michoacan, she smiled and said

everything centered on fresh ingredients. She grew up eating handmade tortillas, pots of slow-

cooked beans, and marinated meat full of chiles and spices. Her family had three meals each day,

with the midday meal being very large. She also said that in Michoacan, eating was never

rushed. People sat together, talked about their day, and spent time enjoying the food. Families

shared dishes like tamales or enchiladas, and there was always a sense of warmth around the

table. Holidays such as Christmas, Dia de los Muertos, and birthdays were very important

because they brought relatives together to celebrate. Each holiday had certain foods, like tamales

for Christmas or pan de muerto in early November. Tamales symbolized unity and caring for

each other, while pan de muerto reminded them of departed loved ones.
 My mom explained that immigration affected her food routine. After moving to the

United States, she realized people here often ate faster meals or bought ready-to-eat items. This

change made her cooking quicker sometimes, but she still tries to keep the original flavors of

Michoacan. She uses canned beans when she must, yet she always seasons them the way she

learned at home. She is proud that she can introduce her coworkers and friends to fresh tortillas,

homemade salsas, and other Michoacan specialties. She feels American culture has taught her to

use time-saving methods, but she hopes she has influenced people around her to use more fresh

produce and try long family meals. She believes her Catholic upbringing, combined with local

Michoacan customs, shaped her view that food is a communal joy. Even in the US, she avoids

meat on certain holy days because that was her tradition in Mexico.

My second interview was with Abdul, my coworker who came from Afghanistan. We sat

down on February 21 at 9 am in our office break area. He used to be a translator for the US

military and gained asylum thanks to a strong recommendation from his boss. In Afghanistan,

Abdul grew up in a household that followed Islamic food rules. They never ate pork and

followed halal guidelines for their meat. He said he enjoyed many flavorful dishes such as

Kabuli pulao, lentil stews, and fresh bread like naan. His family usually ate three meals a day,

with dinner being the main time for everyone to sit together. They shared food on a cloth placed

on the floor, which he said felt cozy and brought them closer. He told me about Eid, which

follows Ramadan. It is a big holiday that includes sweets, desserts, and tea. People wear new

clothes, visit relatives, and share sweet dishes like sheer khurma. That dessert has deep meant

because it represents celebrating the end of fasting and showing kindness to neighbors and

family.
 When Abdul came to the United States about a year ago, he faced many changes. He

noted that food here can be very quick and less communal. With his busy schedule, he

sometimes eats alone. Still, he found stores that sell spices and halal meats, so he can cook dishes

that keep him connected to Afghanistan. He even brings Afghan foods to work when we have

potlucks. He said his American coworkers tried Kabuli pulao and loved the sweet mix of raisins

and carrots in the rice. This made him happy because it gave him a way to share a piece of his

homeland with people who had never tasted it. He thinks American life has influenced him to

speed up certain parts of his day, but he tries to slow down during meals at home. He also

believes that by sharing his traditions, he might help others learn more about Islam and Afghan

culture. He has noticed that some friends are now curious about how to make naan or how to use

Afghan spices, which means his culture is having a slight effect on them.

Comparing my mom’s story and Abdul’s experiences, I see some clear points in

common. Both said they used to spend more time on meals before coming to the United States.

Both families would gather, chat, and stay at the table for a long time. After immigration, each

person found that American routines were faster, and they had less time for cooking from scratch

every day. They also had to adjust their recipes. My mom uses some convenience products,

while Abdul shops at specialty stores or switches ingredients if he cannot find the original ones.

Another major similarity is how they feel proud when they share their foods with people here.

My mom loves giving her friends a taste of real Michoacan cooking, and Abdul enjoys bringing

Afghan dishes to office gatherings.

Of course, there are differences. My mom is Catholic, and her main holiday meals come

from both religious and regional traditions, like tamales for Christmas. Abdul’s food rules come
from his Islamic beliefs, so he avoids pork and keeps a halal kitchen. He also has different

celebrations, like Eid, which involve sweets and nighttime feasts after fasting. My mom mostly

changed the timing and some ingredients of her cooking, but she did not have to follow strict

dietary codes. Abdul, however, must find halal products and be mindful of his faith’s guidelines

in every meal.

Both think America has changed their cultures by making daily life busier, but each of

them has shown some of their heritage to friends and coworkers. My mom taught some people

about Michoacan spices, while Abdul gave them a taste of Afghan dishes. These small moments

can open minds and spark interest in different culinary traditions. Both my mom and Abdul say

their old countries’ food scenes might also be changing thanks to modern life, yet at least in their

own homes, they try to keep their traditions alive. They want to pass down these customs and

flavors to the next generation.

These interviews taught me how immigration can reshape the way people eat and

celebrate. My mom and Abdul both adapted to a faster lifestyle, but they held on to the old

customs that mean so much to them. They also shared parts of their cultures with people around

them, so the influence goes both ways. My mom said she found it nice that her American friends

appreciate fresh tortillas, just as Abdul noticed that potluck guests love Kabuli pulao. I saw that

these dishes represent more than just food. They carry family bonds, religious values, and

personal histories. By cooking or sharing them, both my mom and Abdul hold onto who they are.

This project showed me the power of food in shaping identity. Even though my mom has

been here for a long time, she still cooks like she is in Michoacan. Even though Abdul arrived

recently, he is determined to preserve Afghan flavors. Both have adjusted to living here, but they
also show America a glimpse of where they came from. Their cultures had to bend a little, but

they did not break. Through these conversations, I learned that something as simple as a

homemade salsa or a plate of Kabuli pulao can bring people closer and help us appreciate where

we all come from.