Why Eating Food With Others Is One Of The Best Things In Life

When the weather remains cold, and we're waiting for Spring with greater anticipation than the feature film after only the second advertisement, we all need moments in our lives that give us a good ol' fashioned warm fuzzy feeling. And there are very few things that do this than a good feast with others (a feast alone is, I believe, one of the no-nos of winter). 

Conviviality is a glorious word in this sense: events in which people can eat, drink, and be festive in a friendly manner with one another. How quickly would the closing scene of winter seem to go by when in the throes of a feast, or a string of them.

Here are some benefits to eating with others:

1. Endorphins: When you're in a happy, positive, friendly atmosphere, you get a rush of endorphins to your brain that elevate your overall mood, and make you feel great. Being lonely and alienated can have the opposite effect, namely depression and even anxiety.

2. Communication: We are social beings, as noted in my last post, and eating around food is something that defines us anthropologically. When we are with others in a friendly atmosphere, we are more likely to share difficulties through which we can be validated. It's a terrible thing to feel that we're suffering alone; it's often the case that we are not.

3. Diversity: Sick of order pizza for the third time in a week? Having a feast with others can really bring out the diversity, especially when people are bringing different items. Even take-out feasts can be diverse, especially when you have some who want Indian, others who want Chinese, and still others who want Burritos. 

4. Socialize the kids: Modelling is a central way for children to learn behaviours and cultural norms. When you are at a feast, not only do the children get to play with other children, but also see adults getting together and having a good time. Children then learn that getting together with others for a feast is a cool thing, and thus will most likely do it when they're older.

5. Less screen exposure: We spend most of our time in front of a computer screen, and less time with others. By getting out and having a feast with others, we are reducing our screen time, trading it in for real human-to-hums interaction. 

6. Make new friends: When Facebook and other social network sites seem to be the prevalent context for making 'friends', it's important to see a more personable way of doing it. Feasts can be a great way to meet new people, make new friends, and maybe even long-term partners. Friends are important to well-being in life, and getting around good food and friendly atmospheres can be a less intimidating and more healthy way than say at a club or bar.

7. Get new food ideas: My brother in-law makes the best Kombucha I've ever tasted; in fact, whenever I go to his house, I by-pass the wine and head right for that fuzzy long-necked pop-top bottle of that lemony elixir (I'm salivating right now just thinking of it). Now, I just want to make it myself, because having it at his house only a couple of times a month is no good. If my family and I had never had a feast at his house before, I never would've had this idea of home-brewed Kombucha. Get it?

Let's find ways to bring others together in conviviality--let's celebrate life. Instead of getting the blues, let's open our homes to others and enjoy company. There're very few things better in life than being with warm meals and hearts while the wind howls and the cars frost outside.