It’s surprising how much Yeshi enjoys The Traitors when you understand that cynicism, posturing and backhanded behaviour are actually quite alien to him. Yeshi would make a terrible traitor. He’s too sincere.
Over the years, our visits to Tibet have been remarkable for many reasons, but one of the most striking things about being with Yeshi’s family is quite how functioning family life seems to be, and Yeshi confirms this: he says he can’t remember a time that anyone has raised their voice or had a mean word to say.
By the same token, there’s no gushing or fussing either. Nobody is looking for anyone to bear witness to their daily business – they just get on with it. And when somebody does something nice for somebody else (which is pretty much all the time), no one is falling over themselves with gratitude either.
I’ve had to make some adjustments. Nothing my parents taught me about please and thank yous applies here. My Tibetan family will always put others first – it’s just what they do – and any effusiveness on my part would be misplaced. So mostly they look after me, show me kindness and respect, and I say nothing.
But it’s not a one-way street. Since he’s not given to performative gestures, Yeshi doesn’t do displays of thanks for the jobs that me and the kids do around the home either. We are used to things being this way. The tricky part is having the children understand that a few nom noms probably wouldn’t go amiss if they’re dining out with friends.
Niceties are usually not on the Tibetan table, but Yeshi and Nyima can get used to them. So thank you very much for all the kind messages of support you’ve sent since their mum died. We’re all extremely comforted by the reality of the community that we’ve built here in Oxford and across the world. Gratitude is universal and real.
On which note, thank you to everyone who came to see us during the worst of January. We know that these are dark days. We’ve opened up Deliveroo again for those of you who don’t want to leave the house, but it’s always better to see you and feel the love of our people. And now that The Traitors is over, surely we all need to get out a bit more anyway?
We’re open all the usual hours this week, as follows:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday: 12-3/ 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3 / 5-9pm
This week’s menu is up on the website – check it. Come for dine in, take away and a restock of your freezer. We also have plenty of cookbooks, chilli oil and hot mooli pickle.
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Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm
Saturday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9pm
☏ 01865 499318
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