Why I Enjoy Eating Alone – Top 8 Reasons
I think it started in high school. After a series of poor behavioral choices, I was sentenced to 3 days in detention. This meant spending all day in a room with other offenders where the teachers would send your assignments, homework, and readings to be completed in the detention center. We sat in complete silence due to the strict no talking policy, had regular (but limited) bathroom breaks, and we took our lunch at our desks in hushed communion. Blissful meditation, finally. I was free from the superficial cacophony of hormonal boys and girls. I finished all of my work by 10:30 am and had the rest of the day to read books! Here I discovered the treasure of the silent meal. Spoiler Alert: this post will be followed by one detailing the pleasures of enjoying the communal meal with family, friends, and even strangers.
Nevertheless, after 3 days in detention I petitioned my counselor if I could have the rest of my classes in detention for the rest of the year. He reminded me that it was supposed to be a punishment, not a reward. The answer was no. Then why was it so relaxing? I have thought about this recently, especially regarding the often negative social perceptions of eating alone in public. Here is a brief top 8 list of why I enjoy eating alone:
1. The food tastes better. I am able to savor the aroma and let the flavors sit on my tongue if I so choose just a little longer. For example, I recently held a butternut squash soup divining the roasted squash, ginger, and creamy sweet coconut milk. It is mindfulness eating.
2. Test kitchen failures no one knows about. If I am trying out a new recipe and things don’t go quite as expected – it’s okay. A recipe failed in the kitchen and no one else was around to taste it. It’s the whole if a tree falls in the forest thing.
3. My food is unmolested. I don’t have anyone lustfully eyeing my dish asking if I am going to eat that, or poking my cornbread asking if I am going to finish it. This is how accidental fork stabbings happen.
4. Primal instinct. This is the lion in me after the hunt who wants to dine alone. Except a vegetarian lion who really likes broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
5. I can read in peace and not be interrupted.
6. I can be alone with my thoughts. So many good ideas come to me while dining alone. The ideas start flow-charting in my mind. It is incredibly productive.
7. Eat what I want. There’s no judgment when dining alone. Always get dessert.
8. Easy seating, easy time. Finding a seat for one is more attainable even during the busiest seating times. I don’t have to worry about rushing because my dining companion has to jet off to a meeting. Eating what you want on your own time is a luxury.