The Hidden Meaning Behind Offering Food
When a Black woman offers you food it is not just an act of kindness, it’s a test in a way. We are very social creatures in our own way, but we are also the most hated and mistreated women on the planet. So as a separate society all in our own right we have created ways to know when someone is not good for us or maybe I should say if someone is not truly genuine with us. People can fake being your friend for ever so long, we have learned that. So when we offer you something to eat it tells us a lot of things.
Understanding the “Test”
So let's discuss my most recent encounter with this cultural chess move. So lets say I offer you something to eat 4 maybe 5 times, and each time you say no, I will not offer you anything else from that point forward. Because in black culture that tells me you don't trust me, and you may or may not really like me.
A Real-Life Experience
So I have offered my co-workers something to eat when I cook several times, each time they all said no. But here is the funny part: they always offer me something to eat. In the back of my mind I am like you wont eat my food why should I eat your food.
So, recently I've been in my cooking mood, making southern baked apples, fried chicken, chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, Louisiana shrimp po boy, etc… So one day I was cooking my po boy and one of my co workers came in and just stood in the room swinging their arms, saying “ok I see you” looking like they were holding back their drool. I am saying to myself you think I am going to offer you some you crazy. No Sir, try someone else. I already offered you something to eat several times. If you want something to eat from this point forward you gonna ask if you can have some. Otherwise I am gonna sit there and act like I don't see you.
What Hesitation Means
Also if a black woman offers you something to eat and you hesitate, that tells us you really don't trust us. So why should we trust you? That tells us to watch you and listen closely to what you say. Because if you have been acting like we are so cool that I feel comfortable offering you something to eat and when I do you hesitate then you haven’t been real you have been pretending with me. So now you get the side eye.
When Energy Feels Off
Now I have another co-worker who always brings me something to eat but wont eat anything I cook. So I know you may say maybe they don't like your cooking. I could see that if they had eaten anything I cooked. But when you have never eaten anything I have cooked but you always offer me something to eat I have to wonder if you are up to something.
See in places like where I grew up, like Memphis, New Orleans, Miami, if someone keeps offering you something to eat but won’t eat you food means they are up to no good. I can hear my mother, grandmother, great grand mother, all saying the same thing, “Yo Ass Gonna Be Sick Fucking With They Food”
Personal Experience With That Feeling
And if I am gonna be honest, this co-worker did give me something to eat twice and I got sick both times. One time I got sick to my stomach and let's say, I was in the restroom back and forth for 1 or 2 days. The 2nd time my head hurt so bad. So now I don't eat what they give me.
Cultural Beliefs and Protection
I’m just saying I am New Orleans Creole babe, I do believe in Hinxing and Jinxing someone. I don't personally put time into doing those things to people but I know people who do. So you have to be careful who you eat behind. Your ass will end up in the ER or worst the Morgue messing with people and their food. Hell at this point I don't ever really like to shake peoples hands. Soul readers are real, I am telling you.
Final Thoughts
So just understand in some cultures the exchange of food is not just people being nice or kind. It is a method of protection that reveals many things about the receiving person's true character, nature, and intentions toward the giver.