Remember when you were planning your summer holiday to the Mediterranean and dreaming of long, drawn-out lunches? When you actually get there, it’s important to take your time and have a leisurely afternoon meal.
America is a very on-the-go culture, but rushing through meals isn’t the norm anywhere else. “In Italy and France, rushing through a course meal is a big no-no,” says Kelly Duhigg“The guest enjoys the dining experience and the restaurant isn’t in a rush to turn the table. I slowed down and took a while to really savor every element of the dish,” said travel blogger and founder of Girl With the Passport.
Timon van Bastena tour guide in Spain, agrees: “I’ve seen tourists get really impatient and ask for faster service, not realizing that it’s not normal in that culture,” he says. “They enjoy multiple courses and take their time.”
Of course, this isn’t just something to be concerned about in Europe. Central America Fishing He says he often encounters the same situation in Central America. “In the U.S., we are a customer-first society, so we’re conditioned to expect that if customers want our business, they’ll be served quickly,” he says. “In Latin America, dining out is more of a luxury, so the experience is meant to be enjoyed and not rushed.”