Originally Posted by
Greenpen
Some years ago I worked for an organisation where people from across the planet came together for a few days. It produced tremendous arguments between the USA contingent and everyone else as the Americans wanted to eat so early
When we stopped work at 17.30 the Americans wanted to go back to the hotel to dine. Everyone else wanted to waste an hour on the internet, go swimming go shopping or just do nothing.
At least the South Americans followed the Castilian practice of an early dinner at 22.00, suits me!
This seems really odd to me. As an American, I don't know anyone who eats dinner that early UNLESS they have small children. I'm sure there are some who do, but it can't be typical. I have also read somewhere, if I recall correctly, that the average dinner time in the US is around 6:30 (18:30). However, I have noticed when I'm traveling for work that many people do want to just eat dinner and go back to their hotel rooms after the work day -- often to call their children before bed time or just to relax and have the evening to themselves. Perhaps that is more of an American custom. And I will say, never in my life on a work trip, have I met someone who wanted to go swimming between the end of work and a group dinner!
I also find it interesting how comparisons are always "the Americans" vs. "everyone else". In a lot of cases these comparisons are actually "Some or most of Europe (but not all)" and everyone else.
I'm not saying this is an expert article, but it's at least interesting:
https://www.thedailymeal.com/1310452...-around-world/
According to this, dinner in the US is typically much later than several European countries.
All that said, I do believe in adapting to the customs of the country you're visiting, even for work. When in Spain, I would typically eat dinner around 9 pm/21:00.