Gemma calls Mebel “Mebs” and at first Mebel is offended because she comes from a place where “elders are treated with reverence,” but then realizes that in truth, she and Gemma are peers. (p. 99). Do you think Mebel is treated with the appropriate deference in class? How do you think her age helps or hurts her at the cooking school?
I don’t think Mebel’s age hurts or helps her at cooking school. I believe the cooking school made her see the world as it really is. Just because you are older doesn’t always mean you get special treatment in a setting such as this. Deference should not apply in this scenario.
Mebel realized Mebs was a form of endearment and being treated as peer and not as an elder made her realize older does not mean better. I think some of us who are older have to remember this!
I love this part of the book because it’s so real. After living in Asia for so long, I remember old women on the subway slap younger adults with their bags to get up so they could sit down instead. The younger adults would often pretend to sleep. Making them all equal is important in the school so that there is no hierarchy. I still think it’s a little strange that they wouldn’t even call her “Auntie Mebs.” I feel that would have been appropriate, but I am also currrently middle-aged.
I liked the “Mebs” nickname and thought it was cute. Mebel’s reaction initially was negative as she saw it as disrespectful of an elder. She was not treated with deference which was appropriate in that setting. I enjoyed how she changed over her time at the school with the relationships she developed.
Mebel isn’t treated with the deference that she expects. As the story progresses, however, we see that she responds to the way in which the other students treat her in a positive manner, and it contributes to her self-actualization.
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