As opposed to swinging by McDonald's on their way home?
You're right; this reads like a report on an ancient civilization rather than one that posters on this board have 2nd- if not 1st-hand knowledge. While this Brighton guy sounds like a typical academic--he has no experience in the real world of real people living real lives--I'm grateful that he's sifting under outhouses . . . and not me.
My family (Irish catholics) immigrated from Ireland and settled in Maryland during the 1840’s. They worked on the railroad and the MD canal. They all assimilated just fine. Frankly this “study” is a bunch of BS.
The good professor would no doubt be amazed at the concept of a potluck dinner.
But, no, poor immigrant Irish didn’t participate in dinner “parties” because they lacked serving plates.