Food occupies an important place in Mauritanian culture. Eating is usually done communally, eating from a common dish with the right hand (never the left!). Interestingly, the culture finds it inappropriate to eat in the presence of one's in-laws. Common dishes are made from meat, millet, rice, fish, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. Eating is followed by drinking cold water, sour milk, juice from the hibiscus flower, or green tea with sugar and mint. French bread is still used as a breakfast food, and oil and sugar are common ingredients in cooking.