‘I don’t know what Easter is’

Acustomer wanted to book a table in a restaurant for Easter Sunday. He picked up the phone and called the outlet. “Good evening, are you open for lunch on Easter?”

He was expecting a “yes” or a “no” answer, but the reply he got was quite surprising.

“I do not know what Easter is. Can you give me a date?” the voice of a male with a heavily accented English replied.

Flustered, the customer fumbled on his mobile phone to find out the date for Easter Sunday. But before he could manage, the restaurant employee, probably on the advice of a colleague that was being heard in the background, said: “Yes, we’re open every Sunday, so if you like you can book a table.”

This incident, which happened to one of us in this newsroom, is yet another clear indication of how Malta has changed and is continuing to change.

We have all gotten used to being served by foreign waiters and waitresses each time we go to a restaurant. It’s one of the job categories that has been taken over by foreigners, as most Maltese no longer seek employment in the harsh and demanding catering industry. But to come across people who “do not know what Easter is” or when it is celebrated, is flummoxing.

It’s not a question of religion. Everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs, or no beliefs at all. Most Catholics would not know when Ramadan starts or when the Orthodox Church celebrates its own Easter.

We live in a secular society and, although most of us would profess to be Catholic, a much lower number live the religion assiduously or attend Mass on a regular basis. From census to census, it is very clear that many Maltese no longer see the need to go to church on a Sunday.

It’s more a question of tradition and, most importantly, the search for inclusion or fitting in within a new reality, and one would expect that people who come to work in Malta get to know, or at least are told, what to expect.

In this particular case, one would expect foreign employees – whatever religion they endorse, that is not an issue at all – should be told by their employers that they should be receiving calls from customers wanting to book a table or two for Easter lunch.

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is a maxim that we have heard so many times. It means that one should try to integrate within a community in the best possible way, and one such way would be to learn what their customs are and what occasions they like to celebrate.

That employee who answered the phone would not have come across as gruff if he had simply avoided to mention his lack of knowledge about Easter, and had politely asked the customer to give him the date for when the booking is required.

It takes two to tango. Foreigners should try harder to blend in just as much as the Maltese locals should try harder to be more welcoming.