Berlin Trip, How to be a Different Customer
A spontaneous weekend trip to Berlin recently put us on our toes in terms of zero-waste preparedness. Having finished the last workday before Easter, we had to be packed in less than two hours and run to the bus station with only our backpacks, a water bottle, a couple handkerchiefs and an empty mason jar (at least it was empty until I filled it with red wine for the 5-hour journey).
Traveling zero-waste and moving outside of our normal Prague-Žižkov routine got me paying closer attention to how we move about the world without stressing over the small things. There are days that can be very disheartening, when it feels like the garbage we unconsciously produce is out of our control, but we’ve found that with enough practice, we can take control, savor the small victories, and be smarter about avoiding waste anywhere we go.
Admittedly, Germany is so ecological, however standard European travel is not.
I really tried to pay attention to all the ways we managed to avoid waste this weekend. It made me realize how much my perspective has changed in terms of the power we have as consumers, but also the responsibility we have as representatives when speaking with shop assistants, food service industry people, and any businesses burdening customers with unsustainable extra products. Also, what’s the easiest way to deal with compost on the move? If you only have room to pack the essentials, what counts as essential? Each subsequent post will talk about different sustainable dilemmas and how we deal with them.
Below is the first scenario, a moment where I only had 5 minutes to buy our sandwiches before loading the bus, and had no time for explanations about sustainability. Zero waste, zero time wasted, and it led to an insightful conversation on the bus about the proper way to make requests and refuse unnecessary packaging. It may seem dull, but Sam and I talk about everything and anything zero waste, reflections that can help strengthen our resolve and further inform our mentality. We share articles, we do our research and reflect on our experiences. We literally talk about garbage every single day.
SCENARIO I: THE BUS STATION
At the Florenc bus station, I managed to sweet talk the Czech bistro lady into wrapping our to-go mozzarella sandwiches in a cloth, and made sure to call her “lovely” and “so sympathetic” when she confusedly agreed. This is not an uncommon occurrence in a zero-waster’s life. When making unusual requests that involve refusing extra wrapping, requests that can confuse service industry workers who live by a standard and routine, I’ve found that it’s important to smile, to behave as though the paper/plastic bag is an unnecessary luxury, wave it off, and hold out a jar or reusable cotton napkin as though it's the most natural gesture in the world. And always, always always say please and thank you. My Czech is not strong, but even with the biggest limits of conversational interaction, I always try to leave food service employees smiling, making it clear that they have made my day by making an exception for my container. If I am met with resistance and excuses about hygiene codes, the simple phrase,
“I have an allergy to plastic”
drops their argument dead in its tracks, and they accept my reusable container. It’s an effective trick I picked up from Bea Johnson’s Zero Waste Home book. (Because if someone really is concerned about safety, then they can’t argue with allergies.) I still gush with thanks, and be clear that they’ve made me very happy, that they’ve done me a gracious favor. Czechs are not so accustomed to emotional displays of gratitude from random customers, but they can’t help but smile in response, especially with foreigners. Older Soviet generations are often also very supportive when seeing young people being more economical, as well as ecological, with their money.
If the interaction should involve a paper bag that they can’t resist pushing in my hands despite my protests (which also happened when purchasing pastries at the station), I simply transfer the food to my cloth bag, and leave the disposable wrapping right in front of them before leaving. If they heard me repeatedly ask for “no bag,” then they can’t be surprised that I return it on the spot and don’t look back.
While a zero-waster should be gracious and avoid using condescending language to get their way, there’s no need to feel pressured or bullied into accepting products which you don’t want or need. In the end, the food service employees couldn’t care less if you accept the wrapping, they are only trying to do their jobs.
They deserve the customer’s respect, and the customer also deserves to be heard so they can make their purchases wisely.
If all else fails, don’t give your business to companies who refuse to accommodate you.
And if you don’t speak their language, the best default is to communicate with a sincere smile, make the thankful prayer hands, be kind and patient.
If you’re going to be a different kind of customer, be different in the best possible way. They’ll definitely remember you the next time.
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