To think most people *haven't* eaten dinner by 6pm??

[JumboShiitake]

According to DP "most people" have eaten dinner by 6pm.

Referring to adults, not children.

He's obsessed with eating at a time I consider pretty early.

I'm giving him the side eye

Yes because dinner is between 12-1. The meal later on is tea.

No, that is lunch.

No, that is dinner. Dinner is a midday meal. Tea is an evening meal.

And as for supper! that’s hit chocolate and a biscuit before bed.

Not a 3 course meal at 10.00pm

If I didn't work at 8pm our dinner wouldn't be as early. I think people with children start off having dinner earlier so they can eat with the baby. I think a lot of childless people eat a bit later. It is down to when you get hungry really though so varies a lot!

we don't finish work till 6, eat about 8. The kids have toast / fruit after school to keep them going

I'd have had my dinner by 6:30. I am home by 5 most days with a 10 year old who would be starving if we left it later.

No, that is dinner. Dinner is a midday meal. Tea is an evening meal.

It might be that to you but it isn't to some others. Here lunch is at lunchtime, dinner is the evening meal and Tea is a drink.

@BubblyBarbara

Yes because dinner is between 12-1. The meal later on is tea.

Exactly .

As far as what time people eat, I have a revolutionary idea. I eat when I'm hungry, not according to the clock. Some days I have breakfast at 6 am, sometimes 11 am. No matter what time I have breakfast, I might be ready for dinner any time between 10 am and 3 pm, so I have it then. In the evening I might be starving by 4 pm, or not that hungry at 7/8 pm.

So I couldn't possibly say what time I have meals at all.

We have usually eaten our dinner (tea if you're from up north,) by 6pm. Unless we have been out and not come in til 5.30-6pm. (Which is rare.)

I think people looking down their nose at people who eat at different times, need to take a long hard look at themselves. It doesn't make you a better person because you eat at 8.00pm, because you work a long day and have a 'long commute..'

Most people I know over a certain age have their supper (evening meal) at around 5/5.30. My partner grew up having his on the table every day at 5 o clock on the dot and his parents still do this.

I can't believe people are still debating what other people call their meals. It's quite obviously a regional thing and makes absolutely no difference to the conversation. It's quite obvious the OP is talking about the evening meal.

It's quite obviously a regional thing and makes absolutely no difference to the conversation.

I need to catch up on this thread.
Breakfast, dinner, tea.
It does need clarifying. Your ‘supper’ means a piece of toast before bed YeraWizard.

for me this has always been connected to class.

5pm evening meal is common round here, in a traditional working class town. Most have eaten before 6. Most eat their main meal around 5-5:30.

On the other hand, I grew up in a very middle class/posh area. Evening meal was 7-8pm.

It goes hand in hand with calling it tea or dinner/supper.

I have found over the years that earlier is more common in north, and later more common in the south.

We have always eaten, adults and kids together, about 6. During lockdown, and as kids have got older it has crept later. Now 7pm.

I don't get home from work till after 6, it usually somewhere between 6:15-6:45 when we eat

I love how even eating times can be a class thing in the UK

Dinner in my house is between 4-5 but as a single working parent I've seriously had enough of adulting by 6 so want it over and done with by then!

@SchrodingersImmigrant

I love how even eating times can be a class thing in the UK

it is because of wher eit comes from.

farm and factory workers came home to evening meal at 5 ish. farm workers then went out again. On a farm it was called high tea.

middle/upper class ladies had afternoon tea, with guests often at about 4pm.
They then had dinner at 7-8 pm.

So yes, it did come from a distinction in working and social habits around class

It is a class thing! I’ve just googled ‘When did Edwardians eat...’ 😅 and got this:

What time is dinner at Downton Abbey?
8pm
Dinner is served reasonably late, at around 8pm. Make sure you're prepared for what lies ahead of you – dinner can be a long affair and leaving the table, to answer a call of nature for example, is not acceptable.

Mindboggling. 😂

As far as what time people eat, I have a revolutionary idea. I eat when I'm hungry, not according to the clock.

Doesn't work so well if you're trying to eat with children though. Even older children tend to need a routine!

I have dinner around 7 or 8 pm

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Mindboggling. 😂

😂😂😂

We eat dinner somewhere between 7pm and 8pm...

As far as what time people eat, I have a revolutionary idea. I eat when I'm hungry, not according to the clock.

Not sure why you think it's revolutionary, it's completely unworkable for anyone with commitments.

Plus I'd rather have a light diner, but I would likely eat too much if I am too hungry after having no food all day.

"I eat when I'm hungry, not according to the clock."

Unfortunately doesn't work like that in large families. If I was single however I agree with your logic