Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/722943
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2016 10 JAMES DEBONO THERE has been no change since 2009 in the percentage of people who eat out at a restaurant once a week or more (25%) but there has been a 13-point decline in the percentage of people who rarely or never eat out, according to the results of Malta- Today's latest survey. This was corresponded by an 11-point increase among those who eat out less than once a fortnight but more than once a month. The percentage of those who eat out between once a week and once every fortnight (12%) or less than once a month has nearly remained the same (27%). The survey shows that 35- to 54-year olds are the most likely to eat out once a week or more. Among this category more than one in three (36%) eat out once a week or more. This suggests that dining out is the main leisure evening activity of this age group in contrast with younger respondents who eat out less regularly. In fact younger respondents aged be- tween 18 and 34 are the most likely to eat out between once a fortnight and once a week. The most likely never to eat out at a restaurant are those aged over 55 years, 17% of whom never or rarely eat out while 33% eat out less than once a month. People in more affluent occupations like ABs (managers and professionals) are the most likely to eat out on a weekly basis. 4 in 10 of ABs eat out every week or more compared to just 2 in 10 of peo- ple in other occupations. DEs (unskilled workers and unemployed people) are the most likely to say they do not eat out at all or rarely (23%). C2 (skilled workers) are the most likely to say they eat out less than once a month. 'Let them eat sushi' Interestingly both age and class dictate the choice of cuisine. Younger respondents (18-34) were the most likely to eat exotic food in the past month. While 12% of the 18-34 group have ate Indian food, 21% have eaten Chinese and 9% have eaten Sushi; among the general population only 5% have eaten Indian, 12% have eaten Chinese and only 4% have eaten sushi. Moreover while one-tenth of ABs have been to a Japanese restaurant, fewer than 1% of other occupational groups have done the same. In what could sug- gest conspicuous consumption, the self- employed are the most likely to go for a steakhouse (18%) or a hotel buffet (10%); while the working classes may be more patriotic or rustic in their food choices, and unskilled workers are the most likely to have gone for Maltese food (14%). The survey shows that pizzerias remain the favourite type of restaurant for the Maltese, followed by pasta, Chinese and MaltaToday Survey One in four eating out once a week or more How much do you afford eating out? Less than €10 €11-€20 €21-€30 €31-€40 over €41 Are restaurants good value for money? Yes Too expensive Too cheap Depends which Don't know 6.4% 42.3% 38.1% 11.4% 1.8% 22.5% 15.7% 0.6% 53.5% 7.7% Once a week or more Between once a week and once a fortnight Between once every fortnight and once a month Less than once a month Rarely/never How often do you have a meal at a restaurant? Today June 2009 24.9% 25.4% 12.1% 11.3% 22.7% 11.6% 26.8% 25% 26.7% 13.5% While one-tenth of ABs have been to a Japanese restaurant, fewer than 1% of other occupational groups have done the same