I was recently at a beachside restaurant that I've frequented several times, often passing by it on my walks. I enjoy their fresh juices, and the place has become a small, familiar stop in my routine. On one of these visits, a waiter who had served me before recognized me, which was nice, though maybe not surprising since there aren’t many Asians living or visiting this area. However, even though I didn’t expect him to remember my preference for no straws, I felt a pang of irritation when he brought one out. I was prepared to ask him to take it back, but he seemed caught up in greeting me and, out of habit, immediately broke the wrapper of the straw. He was just about to place it in my drink before I could say anything, and in that moment, my frustration grew—there went another unused straw that would likely go straight to the trash.
I quickly told him I didn’t want the straw, looking away and shaking my head in disappointment. This small interaction left me thinking about how deeply ingrained straws are in the local culture here. I realized that if a restaurant decided to stop providing them, there would probably be pushback from customers used to receiving one with every drink. It's almost a given in many places—people expect it without question.
This moment also reminded me of the privilege we have to think and make choices about sustainability. The luxury of sitting here, reflecting on how to reduce waste, doing research on eco-friendly habits, and considering how our actions impact the environment is not something everyone has time for. Many people are just busy trying to make a living, focused on daily survival, without the space to consider the environmental impact of each small decision. It’s an important reminder that while individual choices matter, understanding the broader context and challenges others face is equally essential in the journey towards a more sustainable world.
