The Love of Food

The Love of Food

George Bernard Shaw once said “there is no sincerer love than the love of food.” Food and eating often bring with it a sense of community, a sense of happiness, and a sense of enjoyment. With eating though, comes many underlying social standards, that regardless of the situation, people try to follow. What to eat, where to sit, who to sit with, are all questions posed at every meal, and especially in a college environment, are questions that are quite important to how a person believes he or she is perceived.

Too Much to Eat

It was about 11:15 AM on a Thursday, and I was on my way to the Hecht-Stanford Dining Hall at the University of Miami. It was a beautiful September morning filled with sun, and although early for lunch, there were a fair share of people entering the hall. One must wait in line to swipe his or her cane-card, but the line to enter the dining hall was fairly short. While waiting on line, I could see two different types of people standing together; people who came in groups as well as several people who came to the hall by themselves. While most people who came to the dining hall did so in groups for that sense of community, the people of most interest were hence those who came by themselves. There are countless reasons why a person is at the dining hall alone: their schedule conflicts with their friends, they want some quiet or personal time, or they just do not have anyone to eat with besides themselves. No matter the reason for coming to the dining hall alone, those who were alone were lacking that sense of community, and were likely looking for a togetherness in another type of way.

In line I noticed, there were two people who were by themselves. Closer to the cash register was a male student...

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...ut on the table regardless if it’s being used, and /or watching the television. The boy with the gray shirt for instance, while eating had out his laptop and was reading news from CNN’s website. The girl in the maroon sweatshirt on the other hand had her phone out on the table, and occasionally would send a text, check Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and then would continue eating her meal. All of these actions that those who come to the dining hall by themselves do, are perhaps things that makes the person feel as if they are less alone.

Inevitable

It is inevitable that every once in a while we will get put in a situation where we are left to eat alone. Understanding that there are always others who have been put through the same or similar situation will help us to remember that even at times when we feel that we are alone, we are oftentimes in great company.