France has a huge bistro culture, and if you’ve ever had a chance to visit the European country, it’s hard not to notice the lunch rush that takes over lively streets and local grocery stores.

It turns out that the reason why French people rush to their favorite restaurants (especially during lunchtime) is that it is technically illegal to have lunch at work in France, reports NPR.

Under French labor law, employees are not allowed to eat in the workplace. This law came into force over a hundred years ago for sanitary reasons, according to NPR podcast Rough translation.

It added that the ban was only introduced in 1894 when diseases were widespread, and it was common for workers to eat in closed work environments. This caused phosphorus vapors to develop and airborne diseases, such as tuberculosis, to spread easily.

So the solution was to completely ban people from eating in the workplace and instead send them to the outside world to take a bite instead. When workers were out for lunch, windows were opened to provide proper ventilation.

But the law was not always received with open arms. People were set in their own way and were not so pleased that the government told them to stop bringing food to work, as they had done for several years.

Women in particular seemed to be most affected by the ban. According to reports, harassment of women increased on the street.

Women even described the application of the law as “tyrannical”, and that was the driving force behind the first women’s strike organized by seamstresses.

In all cases, according to Martin Bruegela food culture historian, “the workplace in the 1890s was full of health risks,” so the law was crucial to “flush the air just like flushing the toilet,” during the lunch break.

“Even in department stores, there were more microbes and bacteria per cubic foot than outside,” Bruegel continued.

Fast forward to today, the long-standing ban is not only widely accepted but is a valuable and acclaimed part of French culture.

One thing is for sure, Europe knows how to keep us on our toes with its odd traditions and culture. First it was Swedengate; and now this.

For those who are curious about Swedengate, a new Reddit post said that Swedes did not feed house guests virally. This is mostly because it is very different from how other cultures treat guests.

Anyway, back to French labor laws.

The ban is now generally seen as a perfect opportunity to take a well-deserved break and relax from a stressful work day.

The change of landscape and pace during the 90-minute encounter with food is encouraged in French culture.

But the law that once began because of one health crisis also almost ended because of another. COVID-19 almost ended this centennial team (like many things in our daily lives).

In February 2021, the much-loved law was passed temporary break for obvious health and safety reasons. Getting rid of the team completely was put on the table as an option for the first time.

Fortunately, that option was never sought. Bruegel fought against it by writing about the importance of law in French society.

“People are simply happier when they take a break during the workday. It’s good for their well-being,” he explained. “People who eat together can talk about issues and they can work out tensions or different opinions. They create a culture where it is possible to have different points of view.”

This is not the only labor law that puts the mental health and well-being of employees first. In France it is too illegal to respond to work emails and calls on weekends.

Queue that scene from Emily and Paris.

North America could definitely learn a thing or two from our European friends about labor laws.