Informal Learning at the Grocery Store

Father's Day was last Sunday and I wanted to purchase all of (okay, a few of) my husband's favorite foods to make a meal. I went to a store I will call the Asian Market. This place is fascinating! It is like going to a multi-continental market, where you see people and foods of all nationalities and origin. (if you like the Food Network or Cooking Channel you'd like it there.) The foods there have their names written in english and the native tongue of where it is from etc. I have often thought it would be a great place to take a few children for a field trip, because of the many textures, different foods. I, however, went there because it was the one place nearby that I could buy fresh fish.


My husband absolutely adores catfish and says he can never get enough of mine. So, I figured here was my chance to make enough just for him to devour. I walked over to the fish department to see what varieties of fish were available. I was looking for catfish and finally I see it. And it's on sale to boot! Whole catfish, fresh, $2.99/lb. Wonderful!!! I can stay within my budget.

I began by examining the fish. Years ago I was told by my dad that fish with cloudy eyes were not fresh, so I was looking for clear eyed fish. The first few were given a thumbs down. Then I casually glance over to the lady next to me. She was looking at fresh tilapia for the same price. She was also using her fingers and looking at the inside of the gills. She had bagged about 6 of them when a clerk came and added more to the bin. She then dumped her 6 back in the bin and started looking at the newly added ones. I return to my catfish, wondering why she was looking at the gills. She turned and asked me a question about the catffish coloring, which I could not answer. I took this as my opportunity to ask why she was looking at the gills. She explained, in as much english as she could muster, while pointing to a set of dark red gills, 'fresh'. Then finding another set of slightly ashen red gills and shook her head in the universal 'no' gesture, stated, 'not fresh'. Suddenly, I got it, but then she asked, 'you look at ?' while pointing at the catfish's face. I got to reciprocate the teaching moment and explained about the fish's eyes.

We then exchanged smiles and helped each other pick out fish. She shared some additional information regarding another store. With limited English (and universal hand gestures) she relayed the name and location of the store. She explained that the store was always crowded, that prices were good, that the produce and fresh fish were great.

Finally, I asked, 'Where are you from?' She sheepishly says, 'Eygpt.' I thought, 'How cool is this? I'm in an Asian store, looking at catfish and tilapia, sharing information with a lady from Eygpt using english and universal hand gestures.' Sharing information to get a particular task done. This was what informal learning was all about. The experience was not only focused on the method of teaching, but on the experience as well. I appreciated my time with her that morning.

By the way, our lesson ended with two young women, who appeared of Asian descent, asking each other and the us, 'What are you look at?' while they pointed at the fish. Another informal learning opportunity to share had arisen.