[originaltext] Food is a basic necessity, so every culture has important nor

Food is a basic necessity, so every culture has important norms and customs related to it. Ever since they adopted settled lifestyles centuries ago, most cultures have emphasized daily meals in households or family units. Some members provide the food, some members prepare the food, and all members must eat. The providers and the preparers may not be the same, depending partly on gender roles and specialization. And the status of individuals in the eating process may not be the same, depending partly on their age and gender, and whether the household contains servants or guests. Servants rarely eat with others, while honored guests may be wined and dined like visiting royalty. Elders and males may also be treated ceremonially.
    Eating away from home in restaurants, inns, or hotels has long been an option in most cultures, but the variety of these choices is rapidly increasing today as the fast pace of modern life encourages more people to "eat on the run". This also tends to blur the traditional distinction between providers and preparers of food, especially in families where both parents work full time outside the home. In such eases both parents may eat out at noon, the children may eat at school, and anyone may pick up pizza or hamburgers on the way home or phone for pizza to be delivered. In the US, Chinese restaurants do a big take-out business and microwaved "TV dinners" are very popular. Some busy families rarely eat formal meals together, ever when they all eat at home.