Barbara CP#2

Natalia and I had lunch at Spear It and our conversation started out talking about food both Russian and American.  We ordered salads and, in the process of talking about what to order, Natalia told me that she and her family are vegetarians.  The conversation was light, interesting, and focused on the everyday topics that go along with reading a menu and deciding what to order.  Natalia wanted water without ice to drink and she told the waitress, “warm water” as in not cold water. I explained to her and the waitress that she probably meant what we would call tap water.  We then discussed what it meant to get water directly from the sink.  We laughed because this conversation was reminiscent of my days in Europe when we could only get “warm” water no matter where we went.  These concepts may seem simple but in reality, they are cultural and important to understand.  We also talked more about her family because Natalia lives in Tallahassee.  She and her daughter are going to Miami to have their visas renewed.  Then, Natalia is going back to Ukraine for a month in June to see her son and other family members.  Finally, our checks came and we both paid by credit card.  This process was interesting because she had never done it before – usually her husband takes care of the check.  So, we did it together and talked about how to tip.  An interesting observation for me is how much I have forgotten about being new to a country and learning very simple (to residents) procedures for the first time.  She has certainly shopped and used cards but the restaurant was her first.  I don’t know if she is learning anything from me but Natalia is certainly teaching me a lot.