Oaxacan Hospitality — ¡Buen provecho!

Coming from a city like New York—where making eye contact, or speaking to strangers can be taken very much the wrong way—kind gestures of goodwill and the use of everyday pleasantries are a breath of fresh air, and very much a way of life in México.

Fostering connection and extending courtesy to others is an etiquette woven into the Mexican culture. These gestures of hospitality are especially touching at mealtime. Diners at neighboring tables, waiters, cooks and chefs, will all proffer a hearty buen provecho when your food is served. A Spanish phrase which simply translates to: Enjoy your meal!

What it Means

Doña Vale of Oaxaca and Netflix fame serves her guests

The meaning of buen provecho goes one step further than simple enjoyment—provecho translates to profit or benefit.

When offered together with "good," its a wish that not only will your meal be delicious, but may it also be beneficial to you. Talk about a gastronomic benediction!

When to Use

You'll see buen provecho offered at the beginning of a meal, across all formality of settings, exchanged between friends and strangers. I've had fellow streetside diners wish me provecho (the informal form), as I'm handed my first taco or memela from the comal, as well as in fine dining spaces.

It's often proferred in the coming and going—like when a table of diners finish their meal and get up to leave, offering you their now-open table, with a hearty buen provecho extended your way as they make way towards the exit.

Variations you might encounter: ¡Que aproveche! — may this food be good for you in every way—and ¡Disfruta tu comida!

What to Say in Response

The key here is participation. Don't forget to reply with equal enthusiasm and goodwill. This might be, the common: Gracias, igualmente. Thank you, likewise. (Or simply: Igualmente!) To say this assumes they too are dining.

If they're not eating (maybe they're the wait staff or someone you see has already eaten), a simple gracias is a perfect response.

When you're visiting Oaxaco, these everyday rituals of goodwill will only help add to the pleasures you experience at the table—while opening a door for you to make meaningful connections. ¡Que lo disfrutes! May you enjoy it!

Oaxacan hospitality is second to none.