Cultural Learning Points

This evening I informed my Italian roommate that I had finally purchased a bag of instant coffee, so now I would be able to drink coffee at home in the mornings. We do not have a coffee machine in our apartment, and coffee machines in Geneva are way outside of my budget, so I have been going without since I arrived. Earlier in the summer, I attempted to buy a bag of instant coffee, and I incorrectly bought Espresso mix. So, I was excited that I had finally bought the instant coffee tonight.

However, upon telling my roommate that I have been going without coffee, he kind of laughed and asked me why I did not use the Espresso maker that we have. I responded that I did not know we had an Espresso maker, and where was this machine hiding in our little apartment? He then opened the cupboard and showed me a little metal pot. Incredulous, I asked how that little thing made Espresso. He then explained to me how to fill the bottom with water, the next piece with the Espresso, screw on the top, and place it on the stove to let it heat for about five minutes. I felt a little bit foolish.

Another time, I had decided to buy a microwave for our apartment because that is an appliance that I use practically every day. Upon seeing the microwave, my Italian roommate informed me that he had never actually had a microwave while growing up. His family thought it silly to reheat yesterday's meals instead of simply preparing a fresh, warm meal for that day. Incredulous yet again, I thought about how often I use a microwave, and I wondered how somebody could live without one.

Each day I carry in my bag a grocery bag to use if I decide to go to the store that day. Here, it costs money to buy grocery bags (50 cents / bag). This is because of the environmentally friendly culture that exists in most of Europe--they do not believe in wasting 20 or so plastic bags each time that you go to the store as most Americans do. My roommates here actually told me that they take classes in high school on the subject of how to cut down on waste and be more green. I really think this is a great idea, and I will probably continue to take my grocery bags with me to the store even if I move back to the US after finishing my studies.