This past summer, I studied abroad in the Czech Republic. It was an eye opening experience and allowed me to better understand cultural differences between the United States, the Czech Republic, and Europe as a whole, especially when it comes to food and dining traditions.
The primary and most striking difference was the way in which we view and value food and overall dining experiences. The Czech Republic has a rich culture with various traditions that are centered around food. Although that could be said for the United States as well, our relationship with food is a little more tumultuous.
The United States overall is pretty unhealthy in regards to the foods and portions we serve. This is especially evident in the south where southern foods such as macaroni and cheese, cornbread, fried foods, and desserts are practically worshipped. Much of the food served in the Czech Republic is rich and primarily focused on meats and potatoes; serving dishes such as beef goulash and roast duck. At first I thought that it was unhealthy and would be overwhelming, but the servings were perfect (especially because leftovers are not common there) and I never felt too stuffed. And although I thought the food would make me feel sluggish or bloated, that was never the case. So although on the surface the food seemed more unhealthy or fattening, the lack of processed ingredients along with the appropriate serving sizes, allowed for a more fulfilling, yet guilt free meal.
The typical dining experience was another interesting aspect of the culture of food in the Czech Republic. We would spend close to three hours in restaurants, often times because servers did not constantly attend to you the way they do in America. They let us be and if we needed them we actually had to call them over rather than assuming they would come to check on us. Although this was a bit bothersome at first because I was so used to being checked on, it made me value the time spent eating. It allowed me to savour my meal and spend uninterrupted time with friends, rather than trying to rush my meal and the experience.
Although I love the way the Czech Republic values and serves food, there is no “right” way to enjoy food or build traditions. The differences were prominent. That is not to say that one is superior to the other, but I do think the United States can learn from such countries such as the Czech Republic. The way in which people dine and the way they value food is something that I truly admire about the country. It allowed time to slow down and enjoy the food, while also fostering a healthy relationship with food.