In Brussels, life is a box of chocolates. Chocolate is everywhere. And, almost all of it is delicious. My favorite is Pierre Marcolini. But I’ve been known to devour large quantities of other brand names, too. I didn’t drink coffee before I moved to Italy (now I down at least one cappucino every morning, and a daily espresso after lunch). I can’t say I didn’t eat chocolate before I moved to Brussels. But I didn’t eat much chocolate. Now, I eat too much chocolate.
Sometimes it’s inevitable. On days when I’ve sworn it off, I’ll order an espresso and, on cue, a little chocolate square appears on the saucer next to the demi-tasse spoon whispering my name in what always sounds to me like a hypnotic, Gregorain chant: “pop-me-in-while-no-one’s-looking.” Or, I’ll buy bread from Le Pain Quotidien, and the nice cashier will wink at me and slip a chocolate into my purse.
It’s not that I flirt with cashiers (ok, maybe every so often if I want to try to cut the supermarket lines). It’s that chocolate is omnipresent here, and, as a foreigner lucky enough to live here for four years, it seems only the most diplomatic of gestures to try every ounce of chocolate presented to me. I wouldn’t want to come across as rude, now, would I? What kind of diplomat’s wife would refuse a chocolate?
However, the prevalence of chocolate in the Belgian society has led me to wonder if bringing a box of chocolates to someone’s house is actually what you’re not supposed to do here. As far as I’m concerned, no one can ever tire of chocolates. But, I have to admit that after giving large dinner parties we often have enough chocolate boxes for Mr. Big Eyes to set up a small stand on our front door step. Although I’ve surprised even myself with the amount of chocolate I’m capable of eating, I will confess that we have had to sometimes throw out some of the delectable bonbons because they’ve either gotten old or my pants get too tight and I can’t take it anymore.
Which leads me to ask myself every time I’m invited to a dinner or a reception here: what am I supposed to bring as a gift?
If we’re going to an Italian’s house, I’ll often bring something Belgian: chocolates, Dandoy speculoos cookies (out-of-this-world delicious), a jar of chocolate fondue, or a book about Belgian Art Deco. But if we’re going to a non-Italian’s house, I’ll bring something Italian: a Chianti, a Vin Santo, Italian biscotti, a bottle of olive oil or aceto balsamico.
Lately, I’ve been thinking that it might be nice to bring something American on those evenings that we’re going to see Italian friends (so, those on which we’re not out “on business” but, more so, for pure pleasure and, therefore, bringing something that represents my country could be amusing). When I suggested this to my husband, he supported the idea but then asked what I might choose. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t know how to answer the question.
What are little house gifts that represent America that Europeans might be interested in receiving? A jar of peanut butter? No. A bottle of California Chardonay? Perhaps. A bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Zinfandel from his Napa Valley vineyard? Now we’re talking. Coasters with American artists on them (from Jasper Johns to Edward Hopper)? Chocolate chip cookies? A CD of Bruce Springsteen? An apple pie? Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks coffee? A six-pack of Coke? Help.
Then, I thought along the lines of some of America’s great museums, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the MOMA. However, many of their little giftshop articles are replicas of European works of art. Perhaps a small book of the collections of any of these well-known museums — and even those unknown. I love giving and receiving books, and find that you can’t go wrong on either end, usually.
The search continues and I welcome ideas. On my next trip to the States, I will find that perfect house gift that represents America in a whimsical and elegant way. I may be the wife of an Italian diplomat but I’m always also representing America, too.
But, all this being said, I’ve never met a box of chocolates I didn’t like. Afterall, Hershey’s or Cadbury’s aren’t all THAT bad.
