There is something about food that brings people together. My personal theory is that it’s a social lubricant and awkwardness buffer far more effective than alcohol—for one thing, more people eat than drink so the odds of efficacy are STATISTICALLY higher. People say alcohol loosens you up and reduces inhibitions; food loosens your clothes, and when everyone’s eyeing the last piece of asparagus inhibitions are reduced, or opportunities for funny-smelling pee eliminated. You can be polite all you want, but truly delicious food will inspire you to voice your opinions on who gets the last piece.
Food is also less judgement impairing than alcohol, although I will admit to some difficulty in thinking when full of delicious food. As a bonus, there are no angry full people, just sleepy ones.
The process of getting to full is a communal one, everyone can eat and even at a basic level comment on food. You run out of topics? LET’S DISCUSS THE SOUP!
Autumn potluck
Or, better yet, let’s just MAKE soup. Busy hands are just as effective AND they produce food—two for one!
I’m lucky that I have friends who agree with me, on the power of food, the joy of cooking, and the pure thrill that comes from trying new foods. The past couple of months we’ve hosted an autumn potluck, where the pie was eaten, and also a Saturday brunch at a Pakistani restaurant, courtesy of a great Groupon discount and verification from actual Pakistanis that the food was authentic and delicious.
The pink tea was not a winner, but the four types of beef were.
Trying new food as got to be the best ice-breaker of them all: no one really knows what to expect and there are always some delicious, some suspicious, and some downright hilarious things to be found.
Buffets are particularly good for this, or sharing family style, so everyone gets a chance to sample.
Sometimes food is just funny.
What’re your thoughts on food as a social lubricant?
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Food provides a delicious talking point. And the following food coma stupor allows complete strangers to enjoy a comfortable silence together.
Food also provides a point of common interaction, not everyone drinks, but everyone has to eat. It’s got cultural roots, its got local roots, its got history and stories. Making food for someone is a way to show you care about them, a delicious way, that is better than gift cards and smelly stuff.
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