One cultural confrontation I have experienced in Rome, Italy is the grocery store products. As one who likes to cook at home and meal prep for the entire week, it is extremely difficult to do that here. The first problem I was presented with was the different brands the store offers. The store is a lot smaller than a Publix or Kroger (what I would normally go to in the United States), so there are limited options. Not only are there unfamiliar brands, but the description and ingredients are in Italian. Due to my little knowledge of the language so far, I have little to no understanding when reading the labels. It’s safe to say my time spent at the grocery store is a lot long because I have to Google Translate the product I am trying to buy. After a few weeks of returning to the store, I now know which products I like and recognize key words.
They don’t have your typical brands like Jimmy Dean, Lays, or Campbells Soup. So, I never know what quality and taste I am going to get when purchasing a product. In light, this makes me try new things and experiment with different ingredients for recipes. As a matter of fact, there are some spices and seasoning that are hard to find in America that are available in Italy that I enjoy.
Due to Italy’s strict food laws, the foods obtain a great amount freshness with limited GMOS. In this case, I know I am eating healthy and organic. On the downside, this food tends to spoil quickly. Hence, it’s difficult to buy for multiple days in advance. Conveniently, the grocery store is in very short distance of my apartment and I am able to stop in after class a few days a week if needed.
This cultural difference between Italy and the United States by no means is negative. It simply is a different way of life. Yes, it look adjusting to, but I embraced the differences and took advantage of the situation. Skills of adaptability certainly are needed when grocery shopping in Italy compared to the States.