Diversity for dinner--forewarned but not four-armed

For over to 15 years now I have been privileged to have hosted interns in my home from all corners of the world. At one point I had several months of transition during which I had three international interns at the dinner table each evening. I delight in cultural differences, of course (my business), but did not expect them to show up as famously as they did in the dining room.

As student of world religions, I was always impressed by Ganesh, the Hindu god depicted with four to ten arms symbolizing his powers and functions. I was to learn that the elephant-headed deity was  favorite choice for householders. Understandably he became a model for the short order cook in the kitchen, where multiple arms would have been a real boon for me. Preferences around the table were: 

• Japanese=various foods, preference for seafood, served and kept separate on the plate, often cold.  
  
• Polish=piping hot casseroles and dishes where meat, vegetables etc., were all cooked together.
• Dutch=irreligiously vegetarian.
• Mine=whatever was left over.

Fortunately, I gained stove time since there was usually an argument between the Dutch intern criticizing her Japanese counterpart for an insufferable accent, and being criticized in turn for her poor grammar while the Pole looked on and nodded in agreement to both sides. The meal always ended with a reminder to set the timer on the rice cooker for 07.30 breakfast service.