To share a meal

Lately, I have found myself sharing late night meals with strangers, acquaintances, and friends kept at arm's length. As awkward as those situations may sound, I have been enjoying every minute of it. I look forward to trying it again. It is something that everyone should try because of the intimacy that it brings, the simplicity, and the peace.

There is intimacy in sharing a meal. There is a connection made between members gathered at the table because they have consumed the same food. There is communication when everyone passes the food around and makes comments. There is interest created when gasps of surprise or sighs of delight show each person a glimpse of each other's personality, or a vulnerability that they rarely reveal. Awkward silence does arise because, after all, everyone hardly knows each other. However, there is communion in silent thought: thoughts about the food, the ambience of the backdrop, and the funny situation of dining with strangers.

Sharing a meal is so simple - 2 or more people gather, sit down (or stand?), eat, and converse (or not converse at all?). When it comes to meeting people, sure, you could try a club or pub or bar, or a party, or a gallery opening, or a physical activity. However, when it comes to meeting people in those sort of situations, is it really fulfilling? Half of the time it is difficult to understand each other at a club or pub or bar or a party over loud music and beer breath. A gallery opening does not have mingling as the main purpose. The main purpose is to enjoy the art, therefore people are distracted. During a physical activity, again, the main purpose is to not mingle, but to be one with the activity and in some situations, to make use of the money you spent on the activity. When sharing a meal, in most cases it is affordable. It is easier to understand each other in a meal-setting. The main purpose may be to eat, but majority of people would agree that eating by yourself when surrounded by people is boring and awkward, so the second-but-close purpose is to interact with each other. Everyone shares the "activity" of eating, so there is a common interest already there. In the situations of a club, a gallery, or a physical activity, not everyone shares the same interests so some may never go to a club, visit a gallery, or do a physical activity.

Sharing a meal brings peace. Imagine this - 3 groups of strangers gathered at one table. 3 groups that just met each other that night. No one really knows each other and everyone probably has their differences. Conflict could arise if rubbed the wrong way. However, everyone at the table has and understanding to put it all aside for the night because there is a delicious meal that, in the moment, is more important.

What if random strangers just started sharing meals together? What enrichment and diversity that would bring. It is true that everyone is different when it comes to beliefs, lifestyles, and opinions but one thing's for sure: everyone likes to eat.