French people eat dinner late (often 8 PM or later) primarily due to standard work hours ending around 6 PM, the cultural emphasis on meals as leisurely social events, a substantial lunch filling them up, and the habit of watching the evening news at 8 PM. This tradition makes dinner a relaxed, multi-course family affair, a contrast to quick lunches and early dinners common elsewhere.
Generally dinner in France is later than it might be in the UK or US and is eaten between 7.30 and 8.45 pm – French TV schedules key programmes to commence after dinner at 8.45 as it's considered bad etiquette in France to watch TV while eating dinner.
Spain is notorious for its super-late dinner time, usually around 10 p.m., but the reason behind this has to do with some complicated history.
Some go out, especially on weekends, to a restaurant or for a drink with friends. Children usually go to bed between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, while adults stay up until 11:00 PM or midnight, depending on their work schedule.
8-9pm is when we eat dinner, but at 4pm we have goûter (snack time), maybe some cake or pastry, fruits, or other snacks between lunch and dinner.
The "5 to 7 rule" in France, or le cinq à sept, traditionally refers to a secret, after-work rendezvous (5 PM to 7 PM) with a lover for an illicit sexual encounter before returning home to family, but it's also used more broadly for discreet romantic meetings or even just a casual happy hour, though its meaning varies by region, with Québec using it more for social gatherings than affairs.
A 2003 article in the journal Psychological Science describes how portions in French cookbooks, as well as those in restaurants and grocery stores, are 25 percent smaller than those in American ones. With smaller portion sizes, the French consume more reasonable amounts of food in one sitting.
It's polite to eat everything on your plate, as leaving food might offend your host. However, don't ask for seconds; wait to be offered.
The typical French breakfast is about quality and not quantity! Fresh French bread, a baguette or a tartine (a slice of bread with French butter and jam) is the cornerstone of the breakfast table, alongside croissants, pain au chocolat and brioche.
If you say something has a certain je ne sais quoi, you'll sound fancy instead of inarticulate. In French, je ne sais quoi literally means "I don't know what." It's used to capture an indescribable, special distinguishing feature, or to name some unnamable quality.
According to the new TasteAtlas rankings, Italy tops the list of the Best Cuisines in the World 2025/2026, followed by Greece, Peru, Portugal, and Spain. The ranking is based on hundreds of thousands of user ratings and expert reviews of traditional dishes, ingredients, and local restaurants.
Dinner or Evening Meal (Abendbrot)
Literally translated it means “evening bread” and is a light cold meal with breads and cold cuts, usually eaten between 6 and 7 pm. This is because German families tend to eat their main meal during lunch.
In addition, Spanish workers typically work 11-hour days, from 9am to 8pm. With dinner at 9pm and a couple of hours of TV, they tend not to get to bed before midnight.
Things that Seem Normal to Americans that are not Done in France. Ordering just an appetizer at a restaurant, because you are dieting or not very hungry. French people often don't eat between meals, so they arrive at the table with an appetite.
Goûter (pronounced goo-tay) means “to taste,” but in French households, le goûter refers to the beloved after-school snack, typically eaten around 4 p.m. — which is why it's also affectionately known as le quatre-heures (“the four o'clock”).
Dining and Entertainment
An 8:00 p.m. social engagement could begin at 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. Dinner is usually served around 10:00 p.m. and never earlier than 9:00 p.m. Never invite anyone for a 7:00 p.m. dinner, which would be far too early. Invite people at 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., and serve dinner at 10:00 p.m.
It can be eaten for any meal; although the French aren't known for eating a big breakfast of bacon and eggs. They mostly consume their eggs as part of a light meal at dinner time.
Fresh fruit or juice — The French love a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, so jus d'orange is a pretty common part of a typical French breakfast. It's sometimes replaced with a seasonal fruit, or popular breakfast drinks like grapefruit juice or apple juice.
Differences Between French and American Butter
French butter typically contains at least 82% butterfat, compared to the 80% standard in American butter. The higher fat content results in a richer flavor and a softer texture, which is particularly great in pastries, and even things like cookies and cakes!
Being too over-familiar can seem rude. This can range from using the informal 'tu' too soon (if in doubt, use the formal version of you 'vous') to divulging too much information, being touchy-feely or acting in an over-enthusiastic manner.
Rules when travelling from a non-EU country
If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you. You can however bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey.
When dining out in France, you usually get a basket of bread to accompany your meal. Of course, like French restaurant etiquette itself, there are some rules about bread. First, you'll notice butter is not served with the bread.
1/ Okinawan diet – Japan
So much so that Japan has the lowest obesity rates and third longest life expectancy of any developed country. The Okinawan diet is centred around fish, seafood, tofu, and other nutrient-rich ingredients. It's also extremely low in processed foods.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.