The fact that we “oldies but goodies” like an early dinner was a great source of humor for young people. The jokes invariably included references to the Early Bird Specials at Denny’s or were paired with a comment on an 8:30PM bedtime. But I had a plausible excuse. Working remotely from Oregon with my office three hours ahead in Virginia meant that I was at my desk at 5:00AM Pacific Time and my 5:00PM dinner actually equated to 8:00PM in my circadian rhythm. We both know that was a cover. Although retired for 5 years Linda and I still eat dinner at 5:00PM. But as it turns out we were trendsetters and now the millennial world follows our lead.
The Wall Street Journal reports America is becoming a nation of early birds demonstrated by a significant rise in early dinner reservations beginning at 5:00PM. Many high-end restaurants are now closing their kitchens by 8:00PM, adjusting to the new reality.
If you still feel eating early is uncool but you really want to do it, I have another plausible excuse you may use: intermittent fasting. Trendy, cool and perhaps healthy? Maybe you should reconsider that 8:30PM bedtime…?