Spanish and American eating customs

In American culture breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, but in Spain, breakfast is the least important. Many Spaniards skip breakfast, but if they do have breakfast it will be something small. It usually consists of a tostada and a cup of coffee or freshly squeezed zumo. In American, our breakfast portions are a lot bigger. There are restaurants that are known for their “traditional” American breakfasts, which include lots of eggs, a side of more protein (bacon, sausage, ham), hash browns, cheese and a stack of pancakes or french toast. In Spain lunch is the most important meal of the day. It consists of several courses starting with soup, followed by something heavier like paella or meat, then desert and bread is always on the table. Lunch is a social event that takes up a lot of time and may be followed by a siesta. In America, lunch is usually on the go. We have fast food and drive-thru’s even in coffee shops that cater to our faster paced lifestyles. Spaniards also have dinner a lot later than Americans do. This could be because Spain is a collectivistic culture, and a later dinner could be so that all the family members are home to eat together. Based on my experiences, a lot of American families don't have a set dinner time or even sit down for dinner together.