‘Khana khayo?’ is not a question about food

Literally it asks whether you have eaten. Functionally it is a greeting, a welfare check, an apology for calling late, and a way out of a silence — depending entirely on who is asking, and when.

A few rules nobody will ever tell you:

• From your mother: a real question, and “yes” is not a complete answer. She wants to know what, how much, and whether it was hot.
• From a neighbour on the stairs: this is “good morning”. Say khaye and keep walking.
• From a friend at eleven at night: this is “are you awake, and can I talk to you”.
• From a relative you have not seen in a year: this is a warm-up. The real questions are loading.

The one answer that never works is the honest one. “No” is not information. “No” is an invitation, and you will be eating within ten minutes whether you planned to or not.