Restaurants at a slower pace

    When going to a restaurant in Peru, a consistent theme among the service is how much slower it is than the service in the United States. No matter if it's lunch or dinner, Cusco or Pisac, the service has remained the same. Some restaurants may be slower than others, but none of them are particularly quick. This was most noticeable when we went to lunch at Cicciolina, a tapas restaurant in Cusco. We spent two hours from when we sat down, until we got up to leave. In the United States, spending two hours at lunch typically would mean eating for 30-45 minutes followed by sitting and talking for a long period of time. Here each course has a long pause between each, without the waiter checking in. The server is typically friendly, but not very involved other than taking orders and bringing the check.

    The lack of involvement urgency from the restaurant staff could be a reflection of the tipping culture here. It is standard to tip between 3-5 soles unless the service is truly terrible, and then no tip is given. It is not based on the price of the meal. Because of this, there is less of a need from staff to be involved and "earn their tip" like in the United States. The slow pace of receiving the food also demonstrates the slower pace of life in Peru. When people go out to eat, it is not to rush through the meal, but rather to enjoy the company and the food. Going out to dinner is a little more expensive in terms of soles, which could indicate that going out to dinner is more for a treat, rather than a typical evening. Therefore, the time in the restaurant is more valued, and there is no rush to leave.