Party host Carine preparing island-inspired greenery.

Caribbean culture is one big party filled with colorful fresh food, contagiously festive music and non-stop dancing. However, it also involves a number of symbolic elements that you should take into consideration:

• Rum is unquestionably the most popular social drink in the Caribbean and is served at practically every social occasion. But it's considered bad form to drink a person's rum if you don't like them.
  
• The Caribbean islands are home to an exotic array of flowers, such as the hibiscus, placed in bouquets at social gatherings to ward off bad omens.
  
• The flower from any hibiscus will remain fresh all day and then wilt in the evening. The petals can also be boiled, sweetened and made into tea.
  
• Peanuts are used in a variety of Caribbean dishes, not only for their robust flavor but because they are said to act as an aphrodisiac. Ditto bananas.
  
• In Caribbean culture, if you receive a sharp object as a gift, like a set of knives or a pair of scissors, you should exchange a penny with the gift-giver to avoid the symbolic act of cutting or ending the relationship.
  
• Many Caribbean people are superstitious about eating lobsters because they are considered bottom feeders.

Recipe courtesy of Ike Green, Personal Chef, 310-393-0568.

Contact:

Zebi's Designs, island-theme ceramics
Marina Del Rey, Calif.
310-301-4497
www.zebidesigns.com
Cost: Ceramics range from $100 for a large round platter to $20 for a triangle plate and $35 for a butter dish