Submitted by Christy Arango-Kautz on the 2018 fall semester program in Buenos Aires, Argentina…
In past semesters, while I was on UD’s campus, there would be days when I would only have 15 minutes to quickly eat lunch before moving on to the next item on my agenda. It was a habit to glance at my watch while eating, measuring out how much longer I could stay in the dining hall. However, I’ve come to notice that this habit, though common among students at UD, wasn’t really normal in Buenos Aires. The first time I attempted to do this, my host mom chastised me and made me eat my lunch properly. There was a ten-minute lecture about how taking time to eat a meal, in a way that wasn’t stressful or rushed, is important for fueling your day. Keeping in mind this logic, I’ve come to notice that many restaurants in Buenos Aires follow the same train of thought. Though it is common in the U.S. for waiters to check-in and make sure everything is okay, servers in Buenos Aires avoid interrupting your meal as much as possible. In the U.S., waiters often come over and ask if you’re ready for the check. Here, there is a strategy to spotting your server, making eye contact and completing the hand motions for asking for la cuenta (the check). It took some getting used to at first, but I’ve begun to appreciate the emphasis put on eating slowly, whether it is to take some time to unwind from the day or simply to enjoy a meal with a friend.