Among the things I love most about living in Mexico are the purely decent, kind, and semi-formal cultural norms that are embedded in every day life.
My favorite of them has to be the phrase ‘provecho.’
‘Buen provecho’ literally means, ‘enjoy.’ In Mexico it is reduced to just ‘provecho’ and is used by anyone who is near someone who is about to eat or is eating.
Example… a waiter brings you your plate of food and says ‘provecho’ as he places it in front of you.
But the example I love even more, is the way folks use it among themselves. So if I am leaving a restaurant and there are other folks still seated having their meal, it is customary for me to say ‘provecho’, essentially to anyone we walk by or make eye contact with as we leave.
It is so civilized.
And I love it so much.
So, please, if I may…….. ‘provecho’ to all of you - enjoy your next meal, experience, moment, etc.
I insist.