The street was busy with people walking around. The storefronts and restaurants were brightly lit and open. I found a parilla and ordered grilled beef and papas fritas. Papas fritas are French fries! As I was sitting and enjoying the delicious food, the restaurant started to fill up with people. Young people, old people and families were all coming in to have dinner. One family sitting next to me had two kids, maybe six and eight years old. They arrived at about nine p.m. and were still enjoying their food when I left around ten p.m. I thought that it must be past the kids’ bedtime and that this must be a special occasion. That was my perspective from the United States, where bedtime for kids might be seven or eight p.m., and it is a rare treat of kids to stay up past ten p.m. I’ve learned from talking to many people who grew up here and people who have families that it is really common for kids to stay up past ten p.m.
One of the reasons for later dinner is the culture of siesta here, which is common in many South American countries. Traditionally, many stores, businesses and even schools close down for a few hours in the afternoon. People have lunch and take some time to rest. People return to work or classes after siesta and then finish with their days late, maybe at seven or eight p.m. As a result, in this culture, dinner is later and bedtime is later. Today, even though the tradition of siesta isn’t practiced everywhere in Argentina, and some businesses and schools don’t close down, the late dinner and bedtime still exists!
I’ve learned to adjust my schedule a little since I have been here. I have a big snack in the afternoon so I don’t get too hungry before dinner time!
