Stranger Relatives

Another relative - my father's cousin brother's son, ie my cousin - is starting a new restaurant in town, and his previous claims of superb cheftmanship have so far been well substantiated. Many dinners and lunches have I eaten at his place and my parents especially have nothing but praises for his dishes.

During the first week I must have been there more than twice. Thanks to the strong presence of the Teoh clan in this town the whole setting up of the restaurant looked more like a family event than a commercial one.

The fact that many cousins helped chip in bears strong witness to this presence. While my supposed cousin - the uncle's son - is doing his magic in the kitchen many other Teohs bustle about the place taking orders and serving dishes and utensils and whatever that is necessary.

Alas, I had to rely on my parents' pointing-out to actually identify these relatives, all of them well above my age and some into their last years. Once pointed out it was easy to recognise what I call distinctive Teoh features: mighty eyebrows for all, even the females; thick lips and large eyes. To see people sharing one's features, all in a family restaurant, yet unable to recognise, is as close as it can be to sweet and curious serendipity!

Hence the title stranger relatives.

Hence the puzzlement on my part whenever a friend tells me he cannot make it for today's event because his cousin brother or sister is expecting him.