Main meal in afternoon or evening
Sep 11th, 2003, 03:14 AM
#1
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Main meal in afternoon or evening
Reading all the restaurant info has me curious. Is it more commonplace to eat the main meal of the day in the afternoon or in the evening? Seems like you can do either, but I am wondering which is more usual for the locals. Leaving in 8 days and I'm hungry already!!
Sep 11th, 2003, 04:09 AM
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Hi Marymac,
I'm not sure what the locals do but I think folks who work in cities or towns probably have their main meal at night while those working on farms would have their main meal at noon to sustain them for the afternoon work.
I've found that having a main meal in the afternoon hasn't worked well for me as a tourist. I don't want to spend the time for a leisurely lunch and a heavy meal in the day makes me sleepy in the afternoon.
The few times I've had a main meal for lunch and a snack for dinner I've missed lingering over dinner in the evening and using that time to savor and celebrate the day.
The exception might be going to a special restaurant for lunch whose prices might be too high at dinner.
adrienne
I'm not sure what the locals do but I think folks who work in cities or towns probably have their main meal at night while those working on farms would have their main meal at noon to sustain them for the afternoon work.
I've found that having a main meal in the afternoon hasn't worked well for me as a tourist. I don't want to spend the time for a leisurely lunch and a heavy meal in the day makes me sleepy in the afternoon.
The few times I've had a main meal for lunch and a snack for dinner I've missed lingering over dinner in the evening and using that time to savor and celebrate the day.
The exception might be going to a special restaurant for lunch whose prices might be too high at dinner.
adrienne
Sep 11th, 2003, 04:27 AM
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Many people still have the habit of going home for lunch, having a large meal, and even time for a nap. Depends on their business, and if mom is home all day or out in the workplace.
On the other hand, there are plenty of locals in restaurants for dinner--in Italy, they tend to dine at 8:30 or 9pm or even later. Even if they'd had a large luncheon meal, that leaves plenty of time to be hungry again.
On the other hand, there are plenty of locals in restaurants for dinner--in Italy, they tend to dine at 8:30 or 9pm or even later. Even if they'd had a large luncheon meal, that leaves plenty of time to be hungry again.
Sep 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM
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I don't want to break your romantic beliefs but the 3 hours siesta each afternoon do not apply any longer today during weekdays in large cities or in central/northern Italy.
I live in Rome and, as well as many other people I know, work from 8 till 5/6 pm with a short break for lunch.
Stores, here, usually open continuously from 10 to 7.30/8 pm.
I dare say main meal is generally at night during weekdays and Saturday, but tends to be at noon on Sundays and holidays.
I live in Rome and, as well as many other people I know, work from 8 till 5/6 pm with a short break for lunch.
Stores, here, usually open continuously from 10 to 7.30/8 pm.
I dare say main meal is generally at night during weekdays and Saturday, but tends to be at noon on Sundays and holidays.
Sep 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM
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It seemed to us that most Italians ate their main meal at night. We tend to alternate when we travel.
We prefer to have our heavy meal during the day so that we can walk it off and not go to sleep on a full stomach. However, there are those days when we like to have a nice dinner out at night, as well. So, we do a little of both ourselves.
We prefer to have our heavy meal during the day so that we can walk it off and not go to sleep on a full stomach. However, there are those days when we like to have a nice dinner out at night, as well. So, we do a little of both ourselves.
