Aug 122008
French Meals
To become really familiar with French culture, you’ll need to understand what French people normally eat at mealtimes (as well as their eating habits), whether you plan to eat out at a restaurant or invite some locals to your place for a meal. Only then will you truly feel part of the landscape.
Breakfast
French people love their croissants at just about every french breakfast meal. Whether you choose the fanciest restaurant or the most inexpensive café, you’ll have your choice of a few different types of croissants, usually served with butter or jam. A small side portion of eggs or ham usually compliments the meal. However, as a whole, breakfasts are not a huge affair in France. That’s typically saved for lunch and or dinnertime.
Lunch
The French like to eat lunch at a leisurely pace, even if it’s in the middle of a hectic business schedule. For the French, partaking in good food, at a relaxing pace, is part and parcel of the French culture, with lunch lasting as long as two hours. Restaurants typically serve lunch from about 12:00 pm until 2:00 or 3:00 pm; however, many restaurants are not open for lunch on Saturdays and Mondays (depends upon the province). Many French workers go home for lunch as well, taking time to relax and eat with the family. Sundays are the big family days, where you’ll often see families eating out together for a good two hours. Unlike other cultures, the French (whether it’s friends or family members) tend to bond over food.
Food choice is pretty extensive; however, it differs slightly according to region. For example, in the Provence region, food dishes tend to incline to the more Mediterranean style – lots of salads with olive oil dressing and tomatoes served with most meals. In the northern regions, foods are heavier and cooked with more butter and sour cream, probably due to the cooler weather. However, wherever you eat in France, you’ll find the customary wine and cheese, which the French or so well known for.
Dinner
French dinners, like lunches, tend to be big affairs. Three course meals are common, accompanied with the traditional cheese, wine, bread, and mineral water. Dinner starts at about 7:00 to 7:30 pm and can last up to a couple of hours. Like lunch, dinner is a time to relax and spend time with friends and family.
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