Page 28 - Additional Materials MSPP Reading book 1

My culture shock at the dinner table
By David Villani
I’ve seen a lot of weird things in this country since I moved here from Italy. The
constant optimism and cheerfulness, the intense patriotism, the freezing air conditioning in the
summer and overpowering heating in the winter—all these things are still bizarre to me. The
strangest American quirk that I find is food.
My culture considers food as a fundamental part of our identity and dinner as a shared
experience. Every day, my entire family comes together to enjoy a fresh meal and each other’s
company. The meal is prepared from scratch, usually consisting of a meat or pasta dish
followed by fresh fruit and cheese. Even though both my parents come home from work late,
they always prepare something because family dinner is as a part of our lives.
Coming to America, where family dinners are comparatively rare, was a shock. From
what I’ve seen, American dinners are less communal. People tend to eat on their own, and the
food is often either takeout or a ready-made meal.
Finding out my friends’ dining habits is always somewhat of a traumatic event for me. A few
months ago, I was FaceTiming a friend late at night and I noticed she was eating something. I
found what she was eating at such a late hour was a bowl of plain cereal, she said.
It was her dinner, she said. I was horrified. I ran to tell my parents, and they too were
shocked. Cereal for dinner is a disrespect for my Italian family. But when I told my friends the
next day, I did not get the same responses. For Americans, her meal was normal. Since then,
I’ve seen my friends dine on microwaved pasta, leftovers, takeout, and more.
To an American reader, I’m probably making a big fuss out of nothing. Food is food;
that is all. However, for my family, food plays a central role in our daily lives. Recipes and
techniques are passed from generation to generation, from friend to friend. There’s something
to be appreciated in the Italian view of dinner. Family dinners in true Italian style give me a
chance to take a break from my work and allow me the opportunity to eat a tasty, healthy meal
with family. This tradition also makes me sit down and speak to my family for at least 45
minutes a day, helping us stay connected and caught up on each other’s lives.
Admittedly, there are definitely some benefits to the American style of dining. For one,
without the obligation to cook elaborate meals or eat together, you can eat quickly and get back
to your work. Furthermore, working parents might not even have the time or the energy to put
something together, and fresh groceries in this country are excessively expensive.
Even though that’s all true, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As an immigrant, I’ve had
the chance to see two different cultures from the inside and, as a result, I’ve grown to appreciate
the way we eat in Italy. For Americans reading this, I suggest you try to have family dinners
once or twice a week. Cook your own meals from scratch, set the table and eat with everyone.
It’s fun, and the effort it takes is well worth it.
Adapted from: https://theblackandwhite.net/62200/opinion/blogs/my-culture-shock-at-the-dinner-table/