I’m from a family with 8 children with a tradition of getting together monthly at each other’s homes to share a meal and socialize. Once we all had significant others it was normal to have about 16 adults plus children attending. The person hosting would provide the place, the dinnerware and beverages and everyone would bring a dish to share. It was always a feast with most of us bringing at least one if not more items.

My oldest sister, although she was always one to parade her success making sure we knew she was well traveled, had important friends and luxury items, was always the cheapest. Her cheapest moment that stands out most in my mind for these gatherings is the time she brought 4 pears poached in a sauce as her dish to this family dinner. That’s right only 4 servings to share with at least 20 people.

The irony is that no one ate them. None of us wanted to appear greedy as there wasn’t enough to share with everyone so we all left the dish for someone else to partake. When it was time to clean up and go she was astonished that no one ate her elegant dish and we laughed and told her why. She never brought a stingy dish like that to another dinner but I cannot recall that she ever brought anything generous either.