In the United States, it is incredibly common to see people eating on the go. This is certainly true of Georgetown, where the mornings consist of groups of students running to class while drinking a coffee or eating a muffin. I never second-guessed the normalcy of this practice, until I came to Madrid.
On the first day of orientation, I ran to the metro eating a banana, without even stopping to think that this might be considered strange. However, as I was greeted by a bunch of blank stares, there was not a doubt in my mind that I was doing something odd. Later that evening, I asked my host mom if it was abnormal to eat in public. “Honestly,” she said, “people just think it’s a little sad that you didn’t have time to eat a real meal.”
I quickly discovered that in Spain there are a lot of norms when it comes to eating. There are clearly marked times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and specific types of food that are considered appropriate for each meal. For an American who is very used to the “have it your way” mentality, this was something that was initially difficult for me to adjust to. Looking back at earlier texts with my friends at Georgetown, I frequently said things like, “What do you mean I can’t eat eggs for breakfast?” and “I can’t believe that restaurants don’t open for lunch until 2:00 p.m.”
To me, the attitude towards food in Spain is very emblematic of the various cultural differences between Spain and the United States. For example, the custom of being a workaholic is very apparent in the American tendency to rush through a meal (or skip one altogether) because we are too busy to stop and eat. While this might be viewed as a little sad, it is often perceived as dedication. In contrast, in Spain a meal just isn’t something that is considered optional. It’s like taking a shower, or brushing your teeth—an integral part of your day that can’t be skipped. Furthermore, Spaniards simply don’t rush a lot in general. If you arrive to class at the beginning of its scheduled time, then you are actually early, and if you show up 15 minutes late for something, no one is going to give you a lecture about not being on time. For the ever-punctual American, this can be a bit frustrating, but it sure is nice when you are the one who is running short on time.
Now, I have really come to appreciate the importance that Spanish culture places on meal times. No student in Madrid would ever dream of forgoing lunch to eat ramen noodles in a Lau cubicle while scrambling to finish a paper. Instead, eating isn’t something that is rushed or skipped; it is a time that is cherished, prioritized, and often spent with family. However, I must admit that I am looking forward to the day when it is again socially acceptable for me to eat a bagel on the way to class, so that I can get those extra 20 minutes of sleep.
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