Traditions

“Traditions carry hidden powers. They shape us, steady us, and teach us who we are. They’re worth maintaining. And when they eventually fade, they’re worth rebuilding.” Michael Easter

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I saw the funniest video of David Grutman on his stories the other day. I mean, “funny” and Grutman often go hand-in-hand. I have no doubt that his success in hospitality is deeply rooted in his personality (in addition to his hustle). Grutman is married to the lovely Brazilian Isabela Grutman. They were in Brazil recently visiting her family, and he was sitting at a long table where her family was chatting into the evening. Grutman, a Miami Jewish man who does not speak Portuguese, was leaning on the table snacking on Brazilian cheesy breads.

He cracked me up when he was like, “They just keep talking. No one is talking to me. I don’t know what they are saying, and my body is starting to shut down.” I know the feeling. My body, too, starts shutting down after like hour four or five with no translation or context. There are only so many hours your little ears can squint to understand.

What is hilarious is when these gatherings happen, they are also usually at night. So that may also be a factor for the body shutdown. What helps avoid a shutdown is inclusion. I find the same is true with traditions, generally (even beyond family gatherings). And this cute cross-cultural family moment made me reflect on moments I have failed to provide context or inclusion when welcoming others into different spaces.

Traditions are important. I agree with Michael Easter (quoted above) that they reveal a lot about us, and it’s important to keep traditions alive. They are anchors of hope and memory. Like lamp posts along a pathway.

Whether you are actually in a different environment or you are bringing someone new into something familiar to you— inclusion is a gift. Keep the rituals strong and adapt them as the participants change. This time of year reminds us why traditions matter, the gifts they grant us, and also, why the people we do them with matter more.