Food is More Than a Meal

Food as Connection

Upon arriving in Barcelona, I was ecstatic to try all of the Spanish cuisine. I began to eat out at a few restaurants and explore the food scene. At many local Spanish restaurants, there are tapas, also known as “small plates” offered on the menu, similar to appetizers. Tapas are designed for sharing with others at meal time.

Quite early on, I recognized that meals held a great significance to the locals of Barcelona. Typically, I saw big groups of people gathered together around a table, sharing tapas together and talking for hours. Not only did this occur at dinner time, but there were locals who would commonly share an afternoon conversation over some patatas bravas.

Through my own observations, earning my micro-credential, and taking some classes focused on cultural values, I learned that food is really a way of connection to the local community. Less emphasis is placed on the meal itself and more on those you share it with. Moreover, the concept of tapas as a whole emphasizes the importance of sharing with one another, highlighting the collectivistic mindset here. And since the plates are small, there is no need to rush through meals; locals typically enjoy a relaxed approach, allowing them to be present in their interactions with one another.

Be Open, Flexible and Curious

I urge any future travelers to be open-minded to the culinary worlds you will explore on your adventures. Oftentimes, food has a rich cultural history and holds meaning to the locals of different places. By approaching the food scene in Barcelona with an open-mind, I was able to try new dishes I may have never seen before. Also by partaking in the norm of sharing with others, I was able to grow deeper connections with new people I met here as well as talk to some locals. So, wherever you may travel, consider observing how the food is prepared, how people eat it, and why this may be?

It is important to note that this new experience will require some flexibility. For me, the meal times were a shock, as the locals of Barcelona typically eat dinner around 9 or 10 p.m. Although this seemed too late and inconvenient at first, remaining curious allowed me to learn more about the reason for this custom; years ago members of families would not return home from work until later, so in order to eat together, meal times were pushed to a later time. Due to my curiosity, I grew an appreciation for the locals' desire to eat together as a family. Further, I learned to be more flexible by eating later and respecting restaurants’ time schedules.

If you get the chance to study in Barcelona or Spain, I highly recommend indulging in some fresh fruit from the various markets and tapas like patatas bravas, croquetas, and pimientos de padrón. In the city, there are plenty of restaurants spanning various cultures, including Asian, South American, and Middle Eastern. Try these too! Remember to try your best to remain open to the local cultural norms and consider sharing your meals. Regardless of where you travel, there is much to learn from the food in each culture and plenty to enjoy!

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