I often read articles about American expats who have to adjust to a slower paced life while abroad. Having had the good fortune to travel a lot growing up, I have always seen this difference as what truly makes the US unique.

In most other countries in the world, efficiency does not triumph all. I remember when I got to France and was warned by our liaison that walking while eating was faux pas; even among students . I just couldn’t believe it.  Who had time to get home from classes and sit down to eat lunch – whether cooked or bought. Well, by month three, I had somehow found the time. I picked up from the locals that I could stop at the daily open air market on my home and have everything I needed to make a healthy lunch. Since we didn’t have TV – at least not the “good stuff” that I like to watch – my roommates and I often shared the tasks of cooking or just ate together. Somehow along the way, this just became the norm and I needed to re-adjust when I got back to the states.

I am now back in the re-adjustment period here in Caracas, but I am NOT complaining. I have enjoyed (enjoyed being the operative word) many more meals in my short time here with my family than I would have in the states. I pick up fresh foods at the store several times a week as opposed to stocking up for a month – a small refrigerator will leaves few options. All in all, I am slowing down.

The hardest part of this transition is changing my expectations from the service industry. No matter what you are buying here, the person selling to you is not in a rush. This may seem really rude at first, but I find that they like to give each person/customer as much time as they need; even if that need is talking about the last night’s baseball game

Do you have any similar stories/perceptions from abroad?

Photo credits: markofphotograpy and Philipp Klinger

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