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Carl Honoré on Mate, Youth, and the Slow Movement
🇺🇾 Uruguay

Carl Honoré on Mate, Youth, and the Slow Movement

From El País · (1d ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Carl Honoré, author of "In Praise of Slowness," advocates for a slower pace of life to improve quality and productivity.
  • He highlights Uruguay's mate ritual as a metaphor for the slow movement, promoting connection and a relaxed pace.
  • Honoré, who previously lived in Buenos Aires, notes that while Uruguay is slower than its neighbor, it's not immune to the pressures of modern haste.

As a publication deeply rooted in Uruguayan culture, El País finds Carl Honoré's insights on the "slow movement" particularly resonant, especially his appreciation for the mate ritual.

Uruguay was a more relaxed country, less frenetic. I have very bright memories of there. And there is something very Uruguayan that I love: the ritual of mate. It is a perfect metaphor for the slow movement. You can't run and drink mate at the same time. Mate is an invitation to slow down, to reconnect and, often, to share.

— Carl HonoréHonoré discusses his positive memories of Uruguay and the cultural significance of the mate ritual.

Honoré's observation that mate is a perfect metaphor for slowing down – an activity that cannot be rushed and often fosters connection – strikes a chord. It’s a daily practice that embodies a philosophy many Uruguayans intuitively understand, even if the pressures of modern life are increasingly encroaching.

While Honoré notes Uruguay's relative tranquility compared to Buenos Aires, he also acknowledges the pervasive "virus of haste" affecting the country. This nuanced perspective is crucial. We recognize the challenges of maintaining a slower pace in a globalized world, yet we also see the enduring strength of traditions like mate that encourage us to pause and reconnect.

It is real, but up to a point. Uruguay is slower than Buenos Aires in many ways, but that doesn't mean it's not affected by the 'virus of haste.' You also see people running, glued to their phones, with stress or insomnia problems. The difference is that here this invasion has perhaps penetrated a little less deeply, and they still retain some resistance.

— Carl HonoréHonoré analyzes the pace of life in Uruguay, acknowledging both its inherent calmness and the modern pressures it faces.

Honoré's personal journey, from rushing through his son's bedtime stories to embracing slowness, offers a relatable narrative. His upcoming talk in Montevideo is not just an event; it's an opportunity for Uruguayans to reflect on their own relationship with time and perhaps rediscover the value of deliberate living, a concept that feels increasingly vital in our fast-paced era.

I had a very clear breaking point when I was reading stories to my son. I was going so fast that I skipped pages: my Snow White had only three dwarfs. One day I heard about a one-minute storybook and thought 'what a great idea!' But then I reacted: I realized I was accelerating my life instead of living it. That was the turning point.

— Carl HonoréHonoré recounts the personal experience that led him to embrace the slow movement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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