Eating in Spain vs Eating in the United States of America, by Annie Yang

When it comes to food and eating, there are many differences between Seville, Spain and the United States. The eating culture, types of foods consumed, portion sizes, meal times, and accompanying drinks all vary greatly between the two places. Interestingly enough, adjusting to the eating habits was one of the most difficult aspects of living in Spain.
In the United States, meal times are generally structured around breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with breakfast being consumed around 8-9am, lunch around 12-1pm, and dinner around 6-7pm. Americans typically prefer to either cook or order a single large plate of food for themselves, and often opt for water to drink. Due to the fast-paced nature of American life, many people prefer quick and convenient meals that can be eaten on the go or in between tasks. It’s quite popular for people to order to-go and eat in.
In Seville, however, meal times are different. Sevillians eat breakfast slightly later, around 9-10am, and have a lighter meal compared to the states. Lunch is also often the largest and most important meal of the day and is usually consumed around 2-3pm, while dinner is consumed later in the evening, often after 8pm. Sevillians have a unique approach to dining out, enjoying a variety of tapas rather than one large plate of food. It is also common to drink beer or wine with meals, rather than water. Meals are often a social affair, with people taking their time to savor the food and enjoy each other's company. People tend to prefer going out and eating at a restaurant versus ordering take-away.
Overall, I noticed that the differences in eating habits between Seville and the United States are reflective of the cultural attitudes towards food. In Seville, meals are seen more as a way to connect with others and enjoy the finer things in life, while in the United States, meals are often seen as a functional necessity. On the left is a photo of eating in the United States, and the right is a photo of eating in Spain. In the United States, everyone orders their own meal, and it often is a large portion. In Spain, everyone orders tapas and sometimes shares the food. Just based on the food, it seems that Spain is a more collectivist society, whereas the United States is a more individualistic society.