No Country for Drive-Thrus

Sitting amongst a room filled with Spanish people and Spanish food, the day before Christmas break starts, I couldn’t help but think back to two years ago, when I was a teacher in California. Two years ago, there was no free Christmas lunch, with more plates than people; no fresh fish, fresh chicken, if you opted for that, and definitely no fresh-cut salad; there was not as many hugs — if any at all — and definitely no kisses on the cheeks; no table filled with deserts; there were no shared toast or any sound of clinking glasses; and the best part, there was no lunch bell, telling the over-worked teachers that they had to finish up their microwave meals and return to their full day of work.

If the saying is true, we are what we eat, what does that mean for those that only have time to eat a meal that has to be scarfed down — not enjoyed — before we are abruptly reminded that we “have to” return to our jobs?

In Spain, teachers have 2 hours in-between morning classes and afternoon classes — aka lunch. At first, I was annoyed at how long the break was. I thought, “why don’t we just have an hour lunch — maximum — and be able to go home earlier?” Such a typical American response. Now, I’ve grown to love this long break. I take walks; I find quiet coffee shops where I can study Spanish; but mostly, I go to the park, where there’s a restaurant filled with the most generous cook and wait staff I’ve ever witnessed. When I walk in, they sincerely ask how I’m doing, they “force me” to try plates just out of the oven when I didn’t order them, and they certainly wouldn’t expect me to pay for them. And on some days, when I just feel like having a coffee and studying, next to the warm fireplace, the staff leaves me in peace; they don’t expect me to order any food, and they don’t kick me out when the place is filling up with people who are actually going to order food. I don’t feel like a customer there, I feel like a guest. Often times, I spend those two hours with other teachers, from all over the world, and we laugh — sometimes debate — about the differences between our beloved countries. Bottom line, I cherish these two hours, and I feel rejuvenated and am in good-spirits when I return to work.

So today, during our Christmas lunch (which was the teacher’s gift from my very poor school, who can barely afford anything, but put made sure that the teachers were thanked with the best gift in the world: a hot meal), I couldn’t help but feel appreciative for this experience. Forget souvenirs, I want to take this back with me: the ability to fully enjoy something as simple but also very important as a meal with friends, and not ever feel rushed.

Eating is such an important part of our lifestyles, and a huge factor in what keeps us healthy enough to live a long, prosperous life, but yet every year, Americans rush meals and continue to live an unhealthy lifestyle. If we’re not the most unhealthy country in the world, I don’t know who is. And why? For what reason? So we’re not late for important meetings? So we can beat the bell? Life is complicated enough, and our bodies are full of surprises, yet we make it harder on ourselves with rushed meals. It’s just not worth it. I don’t blame our poor diets, or the abundance of fast food restaurants for our unhealthy lifestyles and all the obesity — I blame our culture and our resistance to change.

Today, my boss asked me a question that seemed funny at the time, and we got a big laugh out of it, but later, when I stopped and thought about it, I found it quite pathetic and sad. He asked me, “why do you get food in cars?”. I didn’t understand the question at first, mostly because he was confused by the entire concept in itself and couldn’t figure out how to ask the question, but what he was asking me was why we order food from drive-thrus? The idea of a drive-thru is an everyday thing for us, but unheard of for anyone but Americans (even English-speaking Australians or people from England don’t understand it), and especially Spaniards. I didn’t really have an answer for him, except that Americans are always in a rush, and we don’t have time to go inside the restaurant to eat. He said he didn’t understand because Spaniards always find time to sit down and eat. And then it hit me — Spaniards “FIND” the time. It is not given to them, it is not awarded to them, they don’t necessarily deserve it, it’s not something they asked for — they just “find” it. It’s a choice we simply do not choose to make. And because we don’t choose to find the time to sit down and enjoy a meal, we live an unhealthy, more stressful life.

My boss and I continued to talk, and he told me that when he visited America and went to a coffee shop, he was confused when — without asking for it or even know it existed — a to-go top was put on his cup; to top it off, he told me there were no available seats for him to enjoy his coffee. It was winter, and he asked the clerk if they expected him to sit outside. He didn’t understand the concept of taking something to go. Nor should anyone. When a Spaniard goes out, they want to stay out, not return to their house or job. What’s the point? When I told him that currently America is thriving on drive-thru Starbucks, he almost didn’t believe me. But he did, because after all, it was America we were talking about. The same place that gave him a cup of coffee, fully expecting him to just walk out, return to his car, no questions asked.

As an American, I must say I am embarrassed by such topics. Mostly because I don’t know the answer as to why we are the way we are. When I eventually return to America, I will be a proud American, but I will live a life in a way that makes me happy, tranquil, and above all, healthy. Because, really, is there anything worth rushing for that is more important than our health and peace of mind?