Homestay normally includes breakfast
and dinner meals for everyday of the week and lunches in the weekends.
Breakfast
Breakfast is usually eaten between 7am and 8am. A New Zealand breakfast,
usually consists of cereal (rice bubbles, Weet-Bix, cornflakes etc) and
milk, toast/bread, and a drink of tea/coffee/Milo/milk or juice. Sometimes
there is fresh or canned fruit and some families may occasionally, normally
in weekends, have a cooked breakfast of eggs, sausages, tomato or similar.
Breakfast is a very informal meal and everyone in the home will probably
have their meals at different times because the morning is very busy.
The homestay will show the student where the breakfast foods are kept
and it is probable that students will make their own breakfasts. It is
good manners to put the ingredients back and to clean up after you have
finished breakfast.
Lunches
The students are responsible to get their own lunch on weekdays, however
it is the homestay host’s prerogative if they give the student lunch
on weekdays. Lunches on the weekends can be very casual because everyone
is more relaxed and have their own plans. Often no formal meal is prepared
and family members may make their own lunch.
Evening dinner
Dinner, the main evening meal, is normally served between 6pm and 7:30pm.
Most dinners consist of a main course and sometimes, dessert or ice cream.
It is normal for the student to help clear the table and help with the
dishwashing after the meal. Sometimes the family will have takeaway food
on Friday night like MacDonald's, KFC, Pizza or Chinese takeaways. Where
the takeaway food is replacing the normal meal the cost should be paid
by the homestay. However if there are times when the student cannot be
home for the meal and they eat outside the homestay this is at the students
cost. It is very, very important that the student tells the family a long
time in advance if they are not going to be home for any meal. For the
dinner meal the student must tell the family at breakfast time. Do not
tell the family 2 or 3 hours before the dinnertime as all the preparations
for the meal are already underway.
In New Zealand like most western countries people use a knife and fork
for eating main meals, and a spoon for soup or desserts. Never hold the
plate to your mouth while eating and always eat with your mouth closed
making as little noise as possible. It is considered bad manners to slurp
or make any noise while eating or drinking.
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