Oh, this just gave me memories to relish in. I speak a lot about my family and the tiny, little, insignificant yet significant(to me) things that have brought us closer and made us very knit.
Eating and dining together is one of them.
I grew up eating from a big bowl with my parents, siblings, and every other relative around. It was in very rare cases, typically depending on the kind of meal, that we ate separately. But for most meals, we ate in groups. Somehow, the food tasted better, and the experience was always different since there are also different types of people when eating.
We bonded over food. Either seeing a program on TV or just talking. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know... talking while eating is a bad habit, but well...
Even in my extended family, the same thing applies. Whenever we traveled back to be with the larger family, all our parents would usually sit at the table to eat while, we, the kids would either eat from a really big tray or we'd share the food in a way that a group ate from a plate, since we're quite a number.
It's more of a tradition. And I've watched it play in every one of my relatives' houses that I visited. Request to eat alone, and you may just be questioned as to why. It's not like you can't eat on your own, but they'd just want to clarify if all is well. And besides, we all enjoy it, so why not? Food eaten with family tastes better, and whether or not we eat to our stomachs content, we always feel happy and full. Of course, this practice would be passed down. I know firsthand the many benefits and excitement and nostalgia it brings me, and I'm not letting it go. It's too beautiful to.
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!