Category Archives: Rituals, festivals, holidays

“Meet Me at the Airport, We’re Going to Tahiti”

Nationality: American
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Meet me at the airport, we’re going to Tahiti.”

Context:

The informant, a native of Berkeley, California, has faced significant family hardships, including her mother’s sudden health crisis, her son’s chronic illness, and her brother’s child being diagnosed with autism. During particularly stressful moments, she and her siblings would jokingly text each other, saying, “Meet you at the airport, let’s go to Tahiti” or “I’m going to Tahiti right now, come join me.” This became their way of signaling that they had reached an emotional breaking point and needed a mental escape.

Analysis:

The metaphorical idea of escaping to Tahiti, an idyllic vacation destination, served as a form of humorous escapism for the informant and her family. By inviting each other to “meet at the airport” and “go to Tahiti,” they created a shared symbolic refuge—a way to momentarily detach from their struggles without actually leaving.

Tahiti, often associated with paradise and relaxation, represented the fantasy of escaping life’s burdens and finding peace. By extending this imaginary invitation, the informant and her siblings not only acknowledged their shared hardships but also reinforced their emotional support for one another. This expression worked simultaneously as a joke and coping mechanism that allowed them to communicate distress, offer solidarity, and maintain their bond through humor, despite adversity.

Apples & Honey: Jewish New Year Ritual

Age: 63
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Both my parents were Jewish, and at the new year—which, in Judaism, is a holiday in the fall when apples are in season—you cut apple slices, dip them in honey, and that will give you a sweet, prosperous new year.”

Context:

The informant, a California native from a fully Jewish background, grew up celebrating the Jewish New Year with her parents.

Analysis:

Eating apples dipped in honey is a Jewish tradition during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Their round shape symbolizes the cyclical nature of the year, while the honey’s sweetness represents hopes for a prosperous and joyful future.

Before eating, participants often recite a blessing expressing their wish for a “sweet new year,” reinforcing the ritual’s symbolic nature. For the informant’s family, this ritual was a celebration of their Jewish identity and means of passing down traditions to future generations. The timing, coinciding with apple season in the fall, also reflects the natural alignment between cultural customs and the regional produce available in California.

Is it “Quack Dilly Iso” or “Dilly Dally Duck”?

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: College Student
Language: English

Text:

Quack diddly oso

Quack diddly oso

Quack Quack Quack

Singin’ Samorico,

Rico Rico Rico

Flora Flora,

Flora Flora Flora,

1, 2, 3, 4

Dilly Dally Duck

The dilly dally duck goes

Quack Quack Quack, 

from Sanarena, 

rena rena rena

four-up four-up, 

one two three four quack!

Screenshot 2025-02-27 at 1.39.25 PM

Analysis:
This is a children’s game that is played into high school years. It is used sometimes to determine who has to do something no one wants to do or just to pass the time. The game includes everyone sitting in a circle, singing a song, and hitting each other’s hands. When the song ends, the person who is about to be hit tries to move their hand out of the way. If they are fast enough, the person hitting is out, and the circle gets smaller; if they are too slow and get hit, then they are out. So when determining who has to do the unwanted task, the person who is out goes. If you need a winner, you keep playing and making it smaller till you have a winner. 

The game is good because it is easy and accessible to play. It helps diffuse conflict by creating a simple way to determine the outcome of an argument. Besides that, it creates a sense of unity since many people in the northern parts of America and Canada have played different versions of the game. In Washington, Quack Dilly Oso is played, while in Northern New Jersey, Dilly Dally Duck is played. The same game with the same tune but different lyrics. The difference shows one’s roots and connect them to where they are from, but the similarities allow people to find simple connections and familiarities in new places with new people. 

“Squid”

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Language: English

Slang Term: “Squid”

“When you refer to someone as a squid, it means that they are like an unsafe rider who doesn’t wear gear, so when you see someone, like, riding with a T-shirt or shorts or flip flops, they’re a squid.”

“I originally heard that time a few years back… at a bike meet. I looked it up and it turns out it’s like a full on, it’s just a term in the motorcycle community, calling people ‘squids’. It’s sort of used derogatorily-ish, because I mean anyone who’s been in a crash knows that you should not be wearing a T-shirt and flip flops.”

Analysis:

The term “squid” exists in this context as a deterrent for unsafe riders and places emphasis on having proper gear and safe practices. Motorcyclists attribute this phrase to several origins, some saying it is an acronym and others quoting the movement of a squid- a burst in one direction, changing, then a burst in another direction- as plausible explanations. Because one is more exposed on a motorcycle, it is important to take safety seriously and learn to be competent as well as confident. No one wants to be a squid, and being called one is likely meant to serve as a ‘wake up call’ that one’s behavior is unsafe and reflects poorly on the community. As O mentioned, anyone who has been in a crash knows the importance of protective gear. The difference between safe and unsafe behavior may be the difference between life and death, so the term ‘squid’ becomes an important part of keeping people alive and safe

“Treat others the way you want to be treated”

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Bay Area
Language: English

Text:

“Treat others the way you want to be treated”.

Context:

It’s a common saying that the informant has heard many times throughout their childhood. Whether it was through fights in middle school or other things that may have caused this phrase to be said which then helped resolve the issues. They see this as a good mantra to have in your mind because it gives you a good attitude and positive mindset with friendships.

Analysis:

I have also grown up following this proverb, I was taught this in elementary school, it was called The Golden Rule. It’s important because it helps for you to respect people but also for others to respect you. The phrase emphasizes how being respectful goes both ways, it’s not one sided. This proverb is found throughout the world which has caused it to have a specific name.