both my families told me that I didn't eat enough and were always worried about that. I didn't understand it until I realised that they were worried that I was either sick or didn't like their food.
When I did eat alot, my high school family would make some silly comment about me being a "cochon" (pig). They thought it was great because I was showing that I liked the food. Every once in the while, they also use word like "fat" in France very sarcastically, so when I was about 48 kilos (105 lbs) I had a few people tell me I was fat.
My guess is that she does find it cute that you gained weight and what she is saying is not to make you feel bad or stop eating in anyway. She probably is glad that you like the food that she cooks for you more than anything else.
Thank you. It helps to hear this from friends who have already studied abroad. Makes me feel a little more comfortable and less like this culture is backwards.
If you stop eating, she will only pay more attention to you and what you're eating. Hence, that is a very bad plan.
I chose to not fight with her over how much I ate (aka eating too little).
Continue not fighting. If it's good food ("good" being balanced between good-tasting and good for you), then eat it. Otherwise, don't.
It sounds like your madre just likes to tease, and not in a mean-spirited way. It's not meant as an attack, therefore, even if you cknew how, "defending" yourself would be useless. She's probably taking it as a compliment that you're gaining weight.
I'd also like your Spanish address if you wouldn't mind me having it. Then I can send you fun stuff. :-) I also understand feeling defensive about being told that you're fat, because here it is mean and abroad it's probably very hard not to take it as an insult. You know more about Spanish culture than I do, but I don't think you could get fat if you tried anyway-- you've always looked good, at least while I've known you.
I always felt like a baby when I was homesick as a kid, but then one of my teachers in high school said that he thinks it's "a very adult malady," especially since so much of being an adult in this country involves moving away from home and distancing yourself from your family. I'm sorry to hear that you're not enjoying every minute of your time in Spain, but I guess study abroad isn't always perfect, contrary to what everyone here tells us when we plan to do so. Here's to the hope that you find some more fun stuff to do and the homesickness eases at least a little.
Good point. Just difficult to not take it defensively once I've been raised that it is a mean thing to say. I will do a friends only post later with my address. No packages please. Just letters through air mail.
Oh my, I will have to re-teach myself how to write when I get back to the states. way-weigh male-mail. oh well.
I'm so sorry, love, that it is so difficult. Even if it was meant jokingly, I am sorry your madre calling you fat to your face hurt your feelings. No, you do not have to stop eating or start eating anything you do not want to. Please try to not go too insane. *hugs* I love you very much!
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When I did eat alot, my high school family would make some silly comment about me being a "cochon" (pig). They thought it was great because I was showing that I liked the food. Every once in the while, they also use word like "fat" in France very sarcastically, so when I was about 48 kilos (105 lbs) I had a few people tell me I was fat.
My guess is that she does find it cute that you gained weight and what she is saying is not to make you feel bad or stop eating in anyway. She probably is glad that you like the food that she cooks for you more than anything else.
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I chose to not fight with her over how much I ate (aka eating too little).
Continue not fighting. If it's good food ("good" being balanced between good-tasting and good for you), then eat it. Otherwise, don't.
It sounds like your madre just likes to tease, and not in a mean-spirited way. It's not meant as an attack, therefore, even if you cknew how, "defending" yourself would be useless. She's probably taking it as a compliment that you're gaining weight.
BTW, what's your Spain address? ^_^
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I always felt like a baby when I was homesick as a kid, but then one of my teachers in high school said that he thinks it's "a very adult malady," especially since so much of being an adult in this country involves moving away from home and distancing yourself from your family. I'm sorry to hear that you're not enjoying every minute of your time in Spain, but I guess study abroad isn't always perfect, contrary to what everyone here tells us when we plan to do so. Here's to the hope that you find some more fun stuff to do and the homesickness eases at least a little.
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I will do a friends only post later with my address. No packages please. Just letters through air mail.
Oh my, I will have to re-teach myself how to write when I get back to the states. way-weigh male-mail. oh well.
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