Average British dinner lasts 21 minutes: survey

LONDON — The average British dinner lasts just 21 minutes, according to a survey published on Dec 20 which found increasingly busy schedules a barrier to families eating together.

A total of 55 percent of families have a smartphone, computer or television present when they eat together, according to the survey for supermarket chain Co-op Food.

People say increasingly busy lives and conflicting schedules are getting in the way of dinner.

A total of 57 percent of respondents say they do not eat with their family every night.

Around half of Britons would like to challenge the status quo, with 47 percent saying they would like to have a meal at home or with their family more often.

“Families continue to recognise the social importance of sharing food and identify eating together as an activity that most brings them happiness and a sense of togetherness,” says Patrick Alexander from the Oxford-based Social Issues Research Centre.

“What eating together means, however, is changing. Screen time during mealtimes, for example, is now common for the vast majority of families,” he adds.

The survey found 20 percent of households do not have a dining table.

A three-course meal at home is now a very rare event, with just 2 percent of people preparing such a feast on a regular basis.

The poll was conducted by market research firm Opinion Matters, which quizzed 2,164 people over five days earlier this month.