Remember dreaming of long, drawn-out lunches while planning your summer vacation to the Mediterranean? Well, once you’re there, it’s important to actually slow down enough to let those extended afternoon meals happen.
The United States is a very go, go, go kind of culture. But rushing through a meal isn’t the norm everywhere else. “In Italy and France, rushing through a multicourse meal would be a big no-no,” said Kelly Duhigg, who is a travel blogger and founder of Girl With the Passport. “They savor the experience of dining, and the restaurants won’t feel rushed to turn the table. It took me a while to slow down and truly appreciate all the elements of every dish.”
Timon van Basten, who is a tour guide in Spain, echoed that sentiment. “I’ve seen tourists get really impatient and demand faster service without realizing that’s just not how it’s done in that culture,” he said. “They enjoy taking their time in multiple courses.”
Of course this isn’t only something to be aware of in Europe. Chris Atkins, owner of Central America Fishing said he comes across this a lot in Central America as well. “In the U.S., our customer-first society has conditioned us to expect service immediately if they want our business,” he said. “In Latin America, dining out is more of a luxury, so the experience isn’t rushed and is meant to be enjoyed.”
Expecting to eat dinner at 6 p.m.