THE MID-DAY MEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19691, 18 July 1927, Page 10

THE MID-DAY MEAL.

CITY'S VARIED HABITS.

LIGHT LUNCHES POPULAR. FRUIT INSTEAD OF MEAT. A great change appears to have come over the dietary habits of the people within recent years. This is suggested more particularly by one's observations during the city's lunch time. One thing is quite certain: the mid-day meal is a less serious matter than it used to be for the indoor man and woman. While not forgetting those stalwarts who crave for a juicy steak, grilled, during the pause in the day's work, there are many times more who firmly believe that their mental efficiency is best served by the lightest of "snacks," of which infinite variety can now bo obtained.

With the "snack" man the confirmed meat-eater has little patience, because he cannot understand digestive apparatus that is not vjp to the standard of his own. On the other hand tho "snack" man is inclined to regard the consumer of beef stoak as an anachronism, except, of course, upon those occasional days when cold or sharp hunger indicate to him that the grill shop is the place for him. The Beef Theory.

But even on these occasions he watches with something approaching alarm the lusty soul who with unblushing boldness orders a point steak, under-done, with two eggs. The man, he'thinks, must eat several bullocks in the course of a year and yet continue to live. What would he think if ho had witnessed tho individual who began with two orders of stewed oysters, continued with a mixed grill and ended up with steak and oysters, the meal costing him in the vicinity of twelve shillings! That meal has been consumed in this city, but judging from the price tho man cannot be addicted to it.

No. Differing dietary ideas or the lack of them need not become a matter for controversy Mother Nature and the knowledge that comes from experience will take cave of humanity's eating habits. Apples and Crumpets. The change to which reference has been made v is more evident in places of light luncheons. Here is a man, robust and ruddy, with the general appearance of one who might believe in the beef and beer theory of life. He examines the menu and orders stewed apples and cream, crumpets and tea for his mid-day meal. And he | eats his apples with every mark of epicurean enjoyment. His neighbour, another muscular person, is devouring assorted sandwiches, which ho seems to regard as far too "refined" for any male. Nearby is an old lady who has ordered cold ham i and salad and cream cakes. Her male neighbour is eating a bowl of hot sweet corn and his drink is malted milk. In the air is the unmistakable aroma of toheroa soup and toasted cheese. A waitress hurrying by has her tray piled with meat pies and bowls of beans and hot fruit drinks with straws in them, and odd ices, although the day is chill. It is a wonderful display of assorted tastes. " Help-Yoursel! " Places. In the "help-yourself" places of refreshment which are extremely popular one sees grave gentlemen securing brown rolls and oatcakes and pieces of cheese and buns, and those much-to-be-envied youths who still know the edge of a boyish appetite piling up plates with large scones and currant buns. This type usually, has studied out the way of obtaining quan tity for a small sum and can get enough food to satisfy a couple of ploughmen for about ninepence. They look longingly at the creamy apple pastry compounds but remember that plain scones and butter go much further toward allaying the pangs of appetite during the endloss afternoon, and so play for safety. Some of these establishments vary the bill of fare in the winter and so it is possible for hearty eaters to get "sausages and mash" or the like. Now it is not every man who has the moral courage to go up and ask for a plate of "sausages and mash" to consume in a crowded assembly that is apparently content with a lettuce sandwich and a bit of stuff we used to call matrimony when we went to grandma's for the' holidays. But there are such heroes, and how t&ey enjoy the grayy! Beans of course*n> quire no moral courage, and as for tomato soup (out of a tin) the youngest clerk will order it without losing a vestige of his dignity. Bar Counter Lunches. Counter lunches in hotels appear about 11 o'clock and seem to be highly appreciated by members of the public who, while it is not their drinking hour, are ready to strain a point with a friend. These counter lunches include everything from hot potatoes to slices of German sausage. There may also be fish balls. It is quite interesting to watch the operations of a man who holds in one hand a pint "pot" and in the other a crumbling fish ball. The extent to which free food on hotel counters is availed of varies very considerably indeed. To return to lunching, bona fide, one must not forget the huge traffic done in pies. Office boys and girls purchase them in hundreds and thousands for the staffs who do not leave the places of business. More meat-eaters. But one does not forget the many who now make a meal of fresh fruit without losing strength.