Dear World Cup Visitors: Thank You for Seeing Us
From Our Table to Yours: A Thank You to World Cup Visitors
Over the last several weeks, I've found myself watching TikToks and YouTube videos from visitors attending World Cup matches here in the United States.
I expected to see soccer.
What I didn't expect was to feel so emotional.
Video after video shows visitors discovering things that Americans often forget to notice. They marvel at our national parks, our wide-open spaces, our grocery stores, our diners, our barbecue restaurants, our small towns, and our endless varieties of regional food.
And Buc-ee’s.
They laugh about how large our drinks are.
They debate ranch dressing.
They become unexpectedly attached to sweet tea.
And somewhere in the middle of all of that, many of them discover something else.
Americans.
Not the version shown on television.
Not the version discussed on social media.
Just ordinary people trying to do life.
The waitress working a double shift.
The dad coaching Little League after work.
The grandmother buying groceries.
The college student balancing classes and a part-time job.
The family gathered around a backyard grill.
The church volunteers serving meals.
The neighbors helping each other after a storm.
The young couple trying to build a future.
The retired couple finally taking the trip they've talked about for years.
In other words, people.
The same kinds of people you have back home.
As someone who has spent most of her life in kitchens—professional kitchens, teaching kitchens, church kitchens, and family kitchens—I have always believed that food has a remarkable ability to reveal the truth about people.
Sit down and share a meal long enough, and most of the noise disappears.
The headlines fade.
The stereotypes fade.
The assumptions fade.
What's left is humanity.
You discover that the person across the table loves their children.
Worries about paying bills.
Gets excited about vacations.
Laughs at ridiculous stories.
And occasionally becomes irrationally passionate about salad dressing.
Speaking of which...
To all of our newly converted ranch dressing enthusiasts:
Welcome.
We are delighted to have you.
However, before you attempt to smuggle fourteen bottles of ranch through airport security, allow me to offer a public service announcement.
Buy the dry packets.
Seriously.
The packets travel beautifully.
They take up almost no room in your luggage.
They won't create an awkward conversation with TSA.
And once you get home, all you need is mayonnaise and buttermilk.
You're welcome.
Consider this America's parting gift.
But beyond the food, the scenery, and the soccer, I want to thank our visitors for something unexpected.
Thank you for reflecting our country back to us.
Sometimes those of us who live here become so busy managing deadlines, schedules, responsibilities, and everyday life that we stop noticing the blessings around us.
We stop noticing the beauty of a mountain range.
The vastness of the plains.
The diversity of our food traditions.
The kindness of strangers.
Some stranger who just says: “Hello” as they walk past.
The freedom to pursue our dreams.
The simple privilege of gathering around a table with people we love.
Then visitors arrive and see these things with fresh eyes.
And suddenly we see them again too.
For that reminder, thank you.
At MealScript, we believe that meals are never just about food.
A meal is where stories are exchanged.
Friendships begin.
Families reconnect.
Cultures meet.
Strangers become neighbors.
Perhaps that's why I've enjoyed these videos so much.
In a world that often seems determined to highlight our differences, thousands of people from around the globe have shown up to cheer for their teams, explore our communities, eat our food, and discover that most of us have far more in common than we realize.
You came for soccer.
Many of us received something more valuable.
Perspective.
So whether your favorite discovery was Texas barbecue, New York pizza, a national park, a small-town diner, ranch dressing, or simply a conversation with someone you didn't expect to meet, thank you for spending time with us.
Travel safely.
Cheer loudly.
Take lots of pictures.
And if you do fall in love with ranch dressing...
Remember the packets.
Sincerely,
An American who is grateful you came
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