Where Is My Tribe?

I have lived overseas for a non-trivial part of my life. I have experienced a handful of different cultures, both in the anglophile and non-anglophile worlds.

In all that time, I have come to experience a truth: the phrase, “BBQ,” is probably the most universally assumed, but misunderstood of phrases.

What do I mean?

Someone invites you to a BBQ, or to go, “eat BBQ.” There is a very good chance you feel you know what means, and you will most certainly start packing on the assumptions. And there is a good chance that if you are living outside your home country, none of your assumptions will be true.

Yet, it will still be a BBQ.

I am reminded of this on a regular basis when I search for BBQ and never find what I am looking for.