Lost in Translation: Navigating Cultural and Language Barriers at the Supermarket Deli in Brunswick, GA

Lost in Translation:

Navigating Cultural and Language Barriers at the Supermarket Deli in Brunswick, GA

Living in the South, football is a HUGE deal. It is so important, that people have parties and plan their weekends around the entire season. This would include college and minor league football as well. 

That year, we were invited to our first ever SuperBowl party. I was pretty excited. One of my husband’s good friends and co-workers was hosting this extravaganza. I offered to contribute to the party and bring over an appetizer. Being that I am an Italian American from New York, the request was of course, for “something Italian.” This was a daunting task for me as I was unable to get many of the ingredients I needed to stock my Italian pantry. I thought long and hard about this. “What the hell am I going to make?” I thought to myself.

 I grabbed my tablet and searched for “Italian Appetizers.” After scrolling for a good 15 minutes, I found it; the answer to what I had been looking for: stromboli. Classic. Simple. I clicked on it and looked at the directions. With newfound confidence, I headed back to the supermarket. Absent from the classic delicatessens I grew up with, I had to make it work with the ingredients available to me. I went to the deli counter. They had a small mini fridge full of pizza dough. It came either as just a round ball or it came in a unique bi-fold. “Fantastic! I can use this.” I then went on line to order my cold cuts. This is where things get interesting. I ordered “one pound of mutzarel.” (Us Italian New Yorkers, have our own special language) The associate asked me three times to restate my request. Aggravated, I repeated my order again. She walked to the back of the deli counter and started slicing. She returned and handed me one pound of mortadella. Dumbfounded, I explained as politely as I could without losing my temper, “This is not what I ordered. I asked for mutzarel.” The associate shook her head and said, “We don’t have that.” I could feel the “New Yorker” in me ready to handle this situation. “What are you talkin’ about? It’s right there,” I pointed. “I’m starin’ at it. It’s right there in the display case.” “Hang on a minute.” She walked to the back of the deli counter again and yelled out, “Where’s Janet? She from Jersey right? Get her out here.” Moments later, “Janet” appeared and asked, “How can I help you?” I explained to her that I ordered one pound of “mutzarel” and received one pound of mortadella. Janet laughed and said, “Hey, a New Yorker! It makes sense now. How long you been down here?” she asked. Relieved, I replied, “A few months. Is it that obvious?” She went on to say, “Your accent is tough for these folks to understand. I’m from Jersey-so I hear ya’ loud and clear. Next time you come in, just ask for me. Let me get you your mozzarella.” I was thrilled to have a fellow “northerner” to help me out. “These are some choice ingredients. Not many locals order this stuff. Watch’a makin’?” she said. I smiled, “Stromboli!” With that, another associate nearby chimed in, “Wow! Stromboli?! Fo’ Real?” “That’s right!” I said with a smirk. “How do you make it?” I was asked. Thankfully, Janet had my back on this one. “Nah man, you can’t ask that. She’s from New York. She ain’t got time fo’ that.” I agreed and thanked her for her help, and left the counter. It was good to know I wasn’t the only one like me in Brunswick.

It is Superbowl Sunday—the BIG day. I took out all my ingredients for my stromboli: pepperoni, mozzarella, sausage, ham, and pizza dough. I was all ready to get started. Or so I thought. I neglected to save the recipe. With my newfound confidence, I “winged it.” How hard could this be?” Turns out, not hard at all! I finished my masterpiece and headed out the door. When we got there, I unveiled my work of art. “That’s what I’m talking about!” said our friend enthusiastically. Needless to say, the entire stromboli was devoured in a matter of minutes. No one could tell I had never made it before. My husband’s friend loved it so much, he asked me to teach his wife how to make it. It is now one of my most requested dishes from my family and friends.