Why do Europeans eat dinner so late?

Europeans have a long-standing tradition of eating dinner late, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The reason for this late dining time can be traced back to cultural and historical factors.

Cultural Factors

In many European countries, it's common to take a long break in the middle of the day for a large, leisurely lunch. This meal often includes multiple courses and can last for several hours. Since Europeans eat such a large lunch, they don't typically feel hungry until later in the evening, leading to the later dinner time.

Historical Factors

Another reason for the late dinner time in Europe can be attributed to the availability of electricity. Prior to the widespread use of electricity, people would eat dinner earlier in the evening to take advantage of the natural light. However, with the advent of electricity, people could stay up later and still be able to see, so dinner time gradually shifted to a later hour.

In addition, many European countries have a tradition of enjoying an aperitif, or pre-dinner drink, with friends and family. This socializing can last for an hour or more, further delaying the start of the dinner meal.

There are a few reasons why Europeans eat dinner so late. One reason is that the sun sets later in Europe than in other parts of the world. This means that it is still light outside at 8 or 9pm, which makes it feel like a more natural time to eat dinner. Additionally, many Europeans have a long lunch break, which means that they are not as hungry for dinner until later in the evening. Finally, eating dinner late is simply a cultural tradition in many European countries.

Here are some specific reasons why Europeans eat dinner late:

• The sun sets later in Europe. In the summer, the sun doesn't set until after 10pm in some parts of Europe. This means that it is still light outside at dinner time, which makes it feel like a more natural time to eat.
• Many Europeans have a long lunch break. In some European countries, it is common to have a lunch break that lasts for two or three hours. This means that people are not as hungry for dinner until later in the evening.
• Eating dinner late is a cultural tradition. In many European countries, eating dinner late is simply a part of the culture. It is a time for people to relax and socialize with friends and family.

Of course, there are also some people in Europe who eat dinner earlier. This is especially true in northern Europe, where the sun sets earlier. However, in general, Europeans tend to eat dinner later than people in other parts of the world.