Grocery shopping a whole new cultural experience

By Abby Lubbers

Created:
02/23/09 10:11am

Last updated:
02/23/09 10:12am

1 comment

Rome, Italy — I just got back from the grocery store — for the third time this week.

For a girl who hates grocery shopping, the Italian style of buying food has been quite an adjustment.

I typically do everything in my power to avoid the grocery store. Last semester, I successfully managed to shop for groceries only three times.

But not in Italy.

Italians generally buy food for one or two days at a time, and because of the smaller quantities, most supermarkets have very few carts.

Quantity, however, is not the only difference in shopping habits.

Italians typically buy fresh food, since it will be eaten within a few days. And much of the store’s inventory is preservative-free.

Today I bought fresh garlic, bakery bread, a wedge of Parmesan cheese, fresh sage, white beans and a rotisserie chicken. Just one bag’s worth of food, enough that I can carry it back to my apartment in my nylon tote.

Which brings up another difference: Grocery bags are not free.

At the beginning of the checkout, the supermarket employee asks if I need a “busta” (pronounced “boo-sta“), which literally translates as “envelope” but in Roman dialect it means “bag” as well. Then I pack my groceries, and pay in cash — always cash; Italians rarely, if ever, use credit cards.

Despite repeating this process multiple times every week, I have actually grown to like grocery shopping here. It is less overwhelming to shop for just one or two meals, and it is fun to buy all fresh ingredients and try new recipes.

My menu for tomorrow is a chicken and white bean soup, flavored with sage and garlic. I found the recipe online, and I am hoping it will be an easy alternative to pasta.

And it makes six servings, which means fewer trips to the grocery store.

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Nathan Fournier

(02/26/09 10:48pm)
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Wow I miss Rome. I was there last semester and it was such an amazing experience. I’m sure you are having the time of your life. Your blog posts are great, just make sure you keep it up! If I have one regret it was that I didn’t write enough. I was also writing for my student newspaper “Central Michigan Life” when I was abroad. Keep up the good work!

About This Italian Life

Journalism and political science junior and former State News reporter Abby Lubbers is studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome for the spring 2009 semester.

Follow her journey of what it’s like to live and learn overseas.

This is Abby’s Italian life.

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