Summer 2026 field reports · Vol. 2: The Many Who Caught Me
The Sacred Rituals
By NOBUNAGA (@japan_nobunaga). Featured in The New York Times · ABC News Live · Press · Book.
I got invited to a church potluck in Alabama. I brought nothing. I didn't know the rules.
Within four minutes, six different grandmothers had loaded my plate.
One said "you're too skinny." Another said "he's MINE, Diane."
They fought over me. Politely. With casseroles.
I gained 6 pounds and was claimed by the Baptist church like a lost package.
Cultural FAQs
What are the rules of an American potluck?
Bring enough to share, label allergens if you can, and do not arrive empty-handed unless the host explicitly said so. Showing up with nothing is a classic first-timer mistake.
What does "Roll Tide" mean?
It is the rally cry of Alabama Crimson Tide fans. In Alabama it can function as hello, goodbye, or affirmation — not only game-day chatter.
What are "Sacred Rituals" in these stories?
Everyday American customs that locals treat as obvious and visitors experience as formal rites: who tips, who grills, who brings a dish.
