The body's (or at least, the stomach's) clock

One of the things that is immediately apparent when you come to live in Spain is the difference between the British and the Spanish daily routine.

The summer heat in Spain makes working, during the mid-afternoon, anything from uncomfortable to downright dangerous. So the traditional UK 'nine to five' is replaced, typically, with a work from around nine thirty to one thirty followed by a break of several hours; then a further period of work from perhaps five o'clock to eight thirty. (The actual times vary with location and season, but you get the picture).

Popular breakfasts include toast (tostadas) with a of topping such as olive oil (aceite de oliva), butter (mantequilla), pate or fruit conserve (mermelada).  Churros (extruded lengths of deep-fried dough) are popular, often served with hot chocolate. And excellent coffee, of course!

The afternoon break is referred to (at least, here in Extremadura) simply as la hora de comer (time to eat), though as well as taking lunch (el almuerzo), many Spaniards use this time to relax with the family, and maybe take a siesta, or short nap.

Restaurants, cafes and bars can be busy during this mid-afternoon session; many offer a menú del dia, a reasonably-priced lunch menu, but usually with more limited choice of dishes.

The evening meal, la cena, is usually the most important meal of the day. Spaniards tend to eat rather later than is normal in Britain; many restaurants will not start serving meals until after nine, and many customers will still be eating at midnight.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) this traditional timetable is being eroded by modern life; the demands of international trade, and the increasing number of open-all-day businesses (e.g. hypermarkets) are among factors causing many Spanish workers to shorten the midday break or abandon it altogether.

El desayuno = breakfast
Desayunar = to have breakfast
Almorzar = to eat lunch
La merienda = an afternoon snack, perhaps equivalent to British 'teatime'
Cenar = to eat dinner