How Does Snacking Reflect a Culture’s Norms?, by Paige Freyre

While spending two months in Sevilla, my understanding of the world and other cultures expanded extensively. Although it is a shame the spring 2020 abroad experience was cut short for so many students, it was so interesting to examine how we were able to assimilate into the culture in such a short amount of time, and then experience reverse culture shock when coming back home. I was shocked at the aspects of my habits or personality my family pointed out as being different when I returned home as I did not expect to experience so many changes in such a short period of time.

For example, my parents and I could not believe how my eating habits had shifted during my two months in Sevilla. Specifically, the culture of snacking was vastly different in Spain which I had not anticipated. I never realized how much of a “snacker” I was, until I went through an adjustment period in regard to mealtimes. In my homestay, the custom was to have a small breakfast, a large lunch, and a smaller dinner. At first, I found myself starving in between meal times, and I noticed my host mom did not keep any snacks in the house. At first I thought this was not “normal”, but then I realized that not snacking between meals was what was considered “normal” in Spain. This was different from my habits in America, where I typically snack various times throughout the day and rarely take the time to have a large, sit-down lunch.Therefore, I had to get adjusted to a “new normal” in regard to my eating habits during my time in Spain.

Pictured below is a meal my host mom gave me one night for dinner. It is an omelette, broccoli, and potato chips. I had taken a photo of it because I was so surprised to see potato chips on my plate. It was the first time I had seen anything that resembled the snacks I was used to at home on my plate in Sevilla, and I had thought it was hilarious that it was being served as a side dish to the meal rather than a casual snack. This experience made me question and reflect on the different norms in regard to snacking between America and Spain.

Since being back in America, I have noticed that snacking between meals has become a new norm for me again. As I have developed this habit, I also have fallen out of the habit of long, sit down lunches that I was accustomed to in Spain. As a result, I have reflected on the different ways I spend my time in each country. In Spain, I was more likely to slow down, and enjoy my meals; which resulted in not needing to snack throughout the day. At home, I have noticed the culture of my household is extremely fast paced and we rarely sit down to enjoy a long meal, so we snack throughout the day instead.

In conclusion, it is interesting to consider how social customs such as meal norms or snacking can reflect the way we spend our time in a given culture. In Spain, I loved how there was such an emphasis on meals (lunch in particular), and it was a special time to take a pause during the day and spend time with family while enjoying great food. Since assimilating back in America, I have noticed that my family rarely slows down during the day to stop what we are doing and have a meal together. This results in a culture where we eat more processed food or snacks throughout the day to keep us sustained to complete our agendas which mirrors our fast-paced society. I connected this to the “to-go coffee” or “to go food” culture we have in America, which so many students are amused to not experience in foreign countries. Although I love my life at home, I am grateful for my cultural experiences in Sevilla as I hope to adopt some of these habits in my future life as I believe they promote mindfulness and enjoyment!