Vol. 1, No. 24 — My supply was good. It was quality American-made stuff. But it began to wane, and soon enough on a trip through Spain, I needed to find some more. Time to go buy some Tylenol.
After canvassing every aisle in a small supermarket, I finally had to buck up and ask someone where I could find the medicine section. Well, there wasn’t one. In Europe, all medicines, even over-the-counter products, are sold in pharmacies.
Off I went to the pharmacy with my trusty native speaker (a.k.a. my future wife) to find some pills. She asked what I wanted and parroted the request to the pharmacist. You could see the wheels spinning for a while before he asked “I think you want TEAL-EN-OHL, right?” Using the Spanish pronunciation rules, yes, that’s exactly what I was after. Mission accomplished.
My experiences with pharmacists in Spain and Germany have varied widely. For the most part, Spanish pharmacists have reminded me more of their American counterparts. If I’m after a specific medicine, they ask some clarifying questions, fill the order, and I’m on my way. As long as I’m not trying to buy prepper quantities of Sudafed, things go swimmingly.
The German pharmacists took a little getting used to. Let me try to convey their shtick with a couple of examples:
ME: Hello. I am going on a trip and need something for jet lag once I arrive. Do you have melatonin or maybe Tylenol PM?
PH: Yes, of course, but have you tried chamomile tea? We recommend chamomile tea.
ME: Good morning. I have had a persistent headache for over a day. Do you have any Ibuprofen?
PH: Yes, of course, but have you tried ginger tea? We recommend ginger tea. Don’t overdo it though, it is quite strong.
ME: Help. I woke up unable to hear and my femur has spontaneously shattered like a CD bent too far. I am the saddest face on the perceived pain scale. What is the strongest medicine you can give me?
PH: *hands over a decorative wicker basket filled with tea leaves* “Oh, and rest well. Rest is very important. Auf Wiedersehen.”
After a few of these interactions, I learned to always explain that I had already tried the natural remedy before seeking such seriously illicit substances like NyQuil or Benadryl. As frustrating as the back and forth could be sometimes, I must admit that the Germans’ approach to health is admirable and there is something to be learned. If drinking a big glass of water can cure your headache, that’s preferable to covering it up with a painkiller. The root problem could be dehydration, so let’s try to take care of that first.
I was once lectured by a pharmacist after requesting more than 20 tablets (the standard generic box size) of sleep aid for a long trip. She had picked up on my accent and accused me and all fellow Americans of treating medicine like candy and not thinking about the consequences. Considering on my last trip to the US I purchased a bucket of 500mg Tylenol for less than $20, she might have a point.
Midwestern Europe: Volume 1 with the first 52 entries in this series is available now on Amazon US, Spain, and Germany in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle formats!
They were made with much love. Pick up a copy, you won’t be disappointed.
If you’ve been enjoying these entries, please consider dropping by the product page and leaving a star rating based on what you’ve read here. Your investment of a minute or two would totally make my day! Many thanks.