[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f6N0ypfJoU]
From the only reliable source of news on the net, the Onion. I can think of many things depressing in this world but eating alone is not one of them. Of course, between the sound of kids eating, a dog seeking handouts, telephone calls and my wife bringing me up to date on household and school events, the eating portion of a meal often seems to be of secondary consideration around my house!
For people with families, eating alone might seem like a luxury — but for those alone, they cannot give up being alone and eat with people that often. The difference is vast, and those who eat alone often find their treatment different than if they are eating in groups at restaurants. It is not a nice feeling. Eating alone all the time is not nice. For a brief respite and change of pace for those who don’t eat alone, sure, it will not be depressing. But for those alone, it is.
Here is someone who agrees with you Karlson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvrffEY-3mI
Eating alone has never bothered me. I eat lunch alone when I am traveling and as long as I have a book to read I find it quite pleasant. During my college days I would try to eat in the same manner although normally friends would seek me out, ask me what I was reading, and a meal in solitude would suddenly become a group activity.
How long did you eat alone, for how many years, and was it constant or just a part time affair? See, you said even in college, your friends would sit with you. In this way, you really did not experience what it is to be really alone.
Certainly, there are some people who thrive at being alone. Some people are meant to be alone. But most people when they talk about being alone, and romanticize it, do so because of the small time they get at being alone. To compare is to look at it as the difference between having a vacation in a city and living in that city for ten years. Only after the second can you really understand and discuss the city from all its particulars; the first will tend to give a very shallow view of the city.
I am a fairly sociable person, but I greatly prefer eating alone when eating out, especially for lunch. Granted I have a family and take my meals with them for dinner, but I’m quite content listening to Rush while chowing down at Five Guys.
Living off-campus in college back in the 90’s, I’d eaten alone for the better part of 5 years. Naturally there is enjoyment to be derived from around-the-table conversation, but one of the perks of eating alone was being able to appreciate what I was eating to a greater degree. (Not to mention reading a book, which my wife is inclined to frown upon). 😉
I like eating with my family. In theory anyway. Meaning I like having that time as a family and participating in that family/social act of eating together, but with a bunch of young kids it often seems more trouble than it’s worth. Especially fo my wife. 😉
So when offered the opportunity to eat alone, I cherish it. I also think the desire many of us express for eating alone is that we live in an over stimulated society and any unwind time is valued. Eating with others can be relaxing too, but it still requires effort beyond the act of taking food.
I can appreciate Henry’s point to some degree having married late. Though during that time I learned to appreciate my solitude even during meals. Still like to eat alone from time to time particularly when on a trip. Usually take a book with me. About the only time I get to read. That and while on planes.
When I eat alone I prefer to be by myself.
No matter where you are, there you’ll be.
“How long did you eat alone, for how many years, and was it constant or just a part time affair?”
During my undergrad years at Weston Hall at the University of Illinois I rarely ate alone, even when I wanted to. I had a fair number of friends there and so I usually had a group around me.
When I went to law school I lived in Daniels Hall, the grad dorm. I usually dined alone during my first two years of law school. I would occasionally have other law school students join me but I attempted to avoid this. Law school students would invariably talk about law school, a subject that I had more than enough of outside of meals. I greatly enjoyed relaxing by myself at meals with a book that always would have nothing to do with the law.
In my third year I became good friends with my next door neighbor who was getting her master’s in library science. I began eating with the library students and what a lively bunch of gals, 90%, and guys they were! Their conversation at meal time was witty and completely non-related to the law. I met my wife as a result. She had gotten her master’s degree in library science at the University of Wisconsin and was working on a master’s in Spanish, but she hung out with the library students.
Eating with people < eating alone < eating with company < good company.
Before I got to the ship, I almost always ate alone (in all senses) with a book.
After experiencing good conversation and companionship during meals, I miss it greatly when I have poor company.
I'd suggest that a bunch of blog-type folks aren't going to be very representative… I know my sister NEEDS even bad company in person, gets nothing from internet association.
I began eating with the library students and what a lively bunch of gals, 90%, and guys they were! Their conversation at meal time was witty
Real librarians kvetch 24/7.
Not my bride of 28 years Art! A small sample to be sure, but an important one to me!