Nicaragua: Tired of getting even; let's get odd, baby
If you had to choose between the following two items, which would you rank as more important or necessary for your day-to-day activities? Your choices are:
A fork --OR-- A plastic bag
Your answer likely says a lot about the normality of your own culture, whether you realize it or not. My decision would be to choose the fork. Why? A fork serves the purpose of bringing one's food from a plate/bowl/other recipient to his or her mouth. Alternatives to the fork include fingers and chopsticks, in certain cultures. The fork is arguably a utensil which promotes healthy living; it allows that one does not dirty his or her fingers while eating, therefore lessening the transfer of germs from hand to mouth. It also simplifies the eating of foods such as pasta, rice, scrambled eggs, and pinto beans, to name a few.
Plastic bags also serve a purpose. They make carrying a load of groceries easier, for one. They also contribute to the growing worldwide problem of there being too much trash and other harmful repercussions. Alternatives to the plastic bag include paper bags and reusable bags made of other materials.
In Nicaragua it seems that plastic bags are more utilized than forks, making them the preferred item out of the two options. The other day I was sharing a lunch of the traditional "gallo pinto" (rice and beans) with some members of my community and though I chose to use a fork, not everybody acted likewise. Some preferred to eat their rice and beans as finger food. Maybe it's normal for them, but it is certainly not for me. Plastic bags, on the other hand, are all the rage. While on an outing to buy flour and a can of vegetables at the supermarket, I brought a reusable grocery bag with me. Even though I presented the bag upon paying the cashier, and even though the bag of flour already came in its own packaging, I was offered not one but two additional plastic bags to carry my purchases home (because, heaven forbid that a bag of flour and a can of veggies share the same grocery bag). Any visit made to buy fruits and vegetables at the outdoor markets also results in receiving a separate bag for each type of produce bought. Plastic bags are everywhere.
And so the conversation about taking care of the environment continues. Why do we continue using plastic bags when better alternatives exist? While in Kenya a few years back I was gifted a basket woven out of straw and told to use said basket to carry my groceries home so as to not contribute to the problems caused by using plastic bags. Those folks are on top of their game. I recently read that the city of Los Angeles has proposed to ban plastic bags once and for all. Perhaps something can be done here to contribute to a healthier planet as well.
As far as eating with forks vs. fingers goes...I will leave that topic for another day.
A fork --OR-- A plastic bag
Your answer likely says a lot about the normality of your own culture, whether you realize it or not. My decision would be to choose the fork. Why? A fork serves the purpose of bringing one's food from a plate/bowl/other recipient to his or her mouth. Alternatives to the fork include fingers and chopsticks, in certain cultures. The fork is arguably a utensil which promotes healthy living; it allows that one does not dirty his or her fingers while eating, therefore lessening the transfer of germs from hand to mouth. It also simplifies the eating of foods such as pasta, rice, scrambled eggs, and pinto beans, to name a few.
Plastic bags also serve a purpose. They make carrying a load of groceries easier, for one. They also contribute to the growing worldwide problem of there being too much trash and other harmful repercussions. Alternatives to the plastic bag include paper bags and reusable bags made of other materials.
In Nicaragua it seems that plastic bags are more utilized than forks, making them the preferred item out of the two options. The other day I was sharing a lunch of the traditional "gallo pinto" (rice and beans) with some members of my community and though I chose to use a fork, not everybody acted likewise. Some preferred to eat their rice and beans as finger food. Maybe it's normal for them, but it is certainly not for me. Plastic bags, on the other hand, are all the rage. While on an outing to buy flour and a can of vegetables at the supermarket, I brought a reusable grocery bag with me. Even though I presented the bag upon paying the cashier, and even though the bag of flour already came in its own packaging, I was offered not one but two additional plastic bags to carry my purchases home (because, heaven forbid that a bag of flour and a can of veggies share the same grocery bag). Any visit made to buy fruits and vegetables at the outdoor markets also results in receiving a separate bag for each type of produce bought. Plastic bags are everywhere.
And so the conversation about taking care of the environment continues. Why do we continue using plastic bags when better alternatives exist? While in Kenya a few years back I was gifted a basket woven out of straw and told to use said basket to carry my groceries home so as to not contribute to the problems caused by using plastic bags. Those folks are on top of their game. I recently read that the city of Los Angeles has proposed to ban plastic bags once and for all. Perhaps something can be done here to contribute to a healthier planet as well.
As far as eating with forks vs. fingers goes...I will leave that topic for another day.
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