[Sca-cooks] I is in teh East Kingdom!

[t.d.decker at att.net]

The potlatch (the word derives from a word for gift) is purely a party of conspicuous consumption with no obligations upon the guests.  However, since standing was measured by the quality and quantity of the giving, the guests had to one up the Jones to stay ahead.

Bear
-------------- Original message from Ian Kusz <sprucebranch at gmail.com>: -------------- 


> Really? I thought that was where the word "potluck" came from. 
> 
> As a celebration, I can see giving stuff away, but, unless you're doing it 
> for some "I'm not supposed to be letting this item get in the way of my 
> enlightenment" reason, destroying things seems to me....well...wasteful. 
> 
> Was there any obligation placed upon the comers to the potlatch? Did it 
> make them...hmm....either subservient, or obligated to hold one, in return, 
> or anything? 
>