Make It An Early Night For Us — Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Make It An Early Night For Us — Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

My son is a fine musician. We love to hear him play, but because our time dimensions have changed lately, we don’t get to his performances as much as we would like. Why? Because he plays during the late evening (for us) when it is time for sleep.

--- Dad, ya gotta come to hear us play. Our band is peaking.

--- OK, we’d love to. Where and when?

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--- Saturday. In Scituate (thirty-five miles from our home) at eight.

--- Ugh. Kinda late for us. I don't like to drive at night anymore. (Wow, what a senior citizen!) Maybe another time. Do you have any daytime gigs?

He muffled a laugh.

We no longer extend the day or the long drive in the dark. It’s much more relaxing to sit in a quiet house, watch a movie, or read a bit and retire early. And the before-dinner cocktail is now an Aperol Spritz or a glass of wine. The late dinner? Forget it.

There is something I call the dinner creep. Not a person who comes to dinner but rather the creeping progression of time. I once passed a restaurant with a sign, “Early Bird Special, 4:00.” We are now early bird specialists, though four is a push. We are not alone. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat their evening meal between six and seven, often much earlier.

On those occasions when we go out to dine, we tend to the early side. It’s delightful . . . available, quiet, relaxed, calm conversation, no business chatter; a nice balance of nothing but a good meal, wine and gentle chat with time to enjoy them. Not so in Europe.

In Italy, restaurants do not open until after seven. It is common to see families coming in with children in tow when we are about to leave. Late dining is the norm for them.

Or how about an early meal at home? And this is by choice where once it wasn’t  . . . working late, kids around, kids playing sports, meetings, boards, etc. The earnest work to be done has been done.

--- Sorry, Mark. Just as you are in the midst of your gig, I’ll be changing into relaxing clothes ( as in . . . pajamas). What I want these days is to rest earlier, to be comfortable at a pace I am willing and able to accept.

My parents dictated on many a summer evening, “Come home when the streetlights go on.” I resisted to no avail. Staying late with friends was one of the summer's high points. Not now. My perception of time has given me pause, perhaps because time is moving faster as I age. Maybe if I encounter fewer experiences late in the day, I can slow the progression.

Our inclinations have changed. We have settled into a stable routine. And that means a change in the clock, our internal clocks perhaps, but a change, nonetheless.