April 4, 2008 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer

Sharing a meal with someone can be a pretty profound experience. Perhaps that is why so many of our special occasions (weddings, birthdays, graduations, retirement, funerals, etc) involve food. Food has a way of bringing people closer together.

You tend to remember those you’ve shared a meal with. Also the conversation shared over a meal has a unique intimacy that you don’t find in any other setting. Complete strangers will open up and share their innermost thoughts when they are partaking in a meal in a manner that they would not even consider otherwise. Sharing a meal with another seems to release some people from their usual fears and concerns.

Through the years, I’ve enjoyed many a banquet, potluck, dinner theatre and other meals with folks I would not have met otherwise. While I may not remember their names or occupations after we part, there is something about the conversation that sticks with me so that should I chance to run into them again, I remember them from the meal and conversation.

Our society used to revolve around community events that invariably also included a meal. By sharing the fruits and labours of the kitchen many strong ties were forged between people and roots extended deep. In a manner of speaking it was the shared meals that defined the community.

Next time you are at a special function or potluck, enjoy the food, and more importantly, the conversation with the person next to you.

Beth

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