After my first week as a Mediterranean I am really starting to get a feel for the differences between the western world and the “old” world. Aside from the food being amazing, one of the major differences I have observed is the overall attitude of the people here.
The french would say it’s a “je ne sais quoi”, and I must admit, in contemplating trying to describe the overall experience, I have a greater appreciation for this term. I want to describe it as a …. “just don’t give a s*it” attitude but that’s not quite right either. The local people on this small island are generally very friendly and caring, regardless of economic status.
In attempting to explain, one recent experience comes to mind, with the affectionate declaration of our host the other day … “We’re going to make a party!” There was very little preparation involved and the guest list included friends, neighbours, extended family and the family cleaning lady. The only thing arranged ahead of time was the main course … local lamb. On the day of the party (yesterday), we find out that there was no lamb available … it was going to be mutton or something else all together. Although everyone was anticipating lamb, no body really took the news badly, nor where they surprised. Our host simply said, “lets make a barbeque.” Later that afternoon, after making other arrangements, we find out that the lamb was back on the menu. Our dinner plans that evening, for fourteen guests, changed entirely again.
For most of us westerners this would likely have resulted in an over reaction of stress. Here … we just go with the flow! Instead of an experience of stress we all just went for a swim in the Adriatic and didn’t give it another thought. One of the family friends that is visiting the island, has lived in Croatia for many years and raised his family here. He simply caulks up the experience as letting go of control. Nothing’s predictable here, so there is no point in trying to control it.
With this statement, it dawned on me, not that I hadn’t already realized it before. The west has so many levels of control, from commercial goods, like clothing and furniture, to our work environments, based around productivity and fear. Most of us live to work and don’t really work to live. And this is coming from someone that loves his work!
I learned a saying here … “Sutra je sutra” … and perhaps this sums up what I am trying to express the best. It means “tomorrow is tomorrow” … don’t bother worrying about it, live in the moment. An easy thing to say but a hard thing for many to experience.
Not to be boring but I thought I would try to take what I have learned to another level and look at population statistics. A brief look at life expectancy puts six mediterranean countries in the top fifteen for longevity. In looking at some of the major risk factors, I can certainly scratch off a reduced risk of mortality from smoking and drinking because it’s apparent that many mediterraneans like their cigarettes and booze more than westerners. Obesity rates are certainly lower here, which likely helps, but I do not think its the entire answer. My money’s on the “joie de vivre.”