Table talk

The joy of shared meals.

In the rush of daily life, as tasks pile up on to-do lists and time slips through our fingers, there’s something so simple, so sacred about sharing a meal with someone. As we come together to share food, we also end up sharing parts of ourselves, our small wins, our fears, our vulnerabilities. The act of sharing food is not just about the food; it’s about finding yourself in a bubble where time has slowed down, and you’re free to share, be seen, heard and held in the warmth of another’s presence. In a world that is moving too fast, a shared meal is an anchor that reminds us to slow down.

Psychologists suggest that sharing food activates the brain’s reward systems, releasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone. But we don’t need a study to tell us that, do we? Aren’t we aware of the warmth of a table set for celebrations, the comfort of a meal shared with friends? These gatherings don’t just fill our stomachs, they nourish our hearts, and build memories that linger long after the last bite.

When I lived with my sister, we made sure every meal at home was shared. We were working from home and had busy days, but meal times were our pause. We’d shut our laptops, and pick up conversations as if no time had passed, deep diving into our experiences and dissecting the nuances of complex emotions. It was a habit we carried from childhood, when our parents would make us sit at the dining table. “No TV while eating!” makes sense now, because what they were asking us to do is pay attention to each other, catch up, and nourish our souls as well as bodies as we grounded ourselves in each other’s presence. As children we were sometimes scolded for leaving food on our plates, but as adults we slowly understood that the dining table was never just about meals. It was a bubble where time slowed down, and love was served in generous portions.

Now, even as life pulls us in different directions, we find a way to carry this childhood habit into all our relationships, and connect with our loved ones over meals. When we gather now, as adults, we make sure that our tables are overflowing with food. Wholesome dinners are more than just meals. They’re also celebrations of love and belonging, felt when the unspoken promise of home is being served on every plate.

In today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, communal dining is more than just food. It’s about presence. These concepts might sound uncomfortable, maybe even alien to some of us. But I do hope that life gives you a chance to enjoy moments of connection. These can look like-

More faces, more stories, more food, less phones.

Kitchens where laughter and love mix freely with the ingredients.

Deeper conversations that lead to deeper relationships.

Frequent potlucks to build our own rituals.

I’m a big fan of meals, because when else does time slow down for us to observe our loved ones? Did you notice how beautiful your mother’s veiny hands look when she served you your food last time you were home? Have you observed the way your partner breaks into their mother tongue while reaching out for a second serving of their comfort dish? Your friend looked so pretty as she smiled while taking a bite out of her burrito, didn’t she? Did you feel the warmth of your sister’s smile as she kept aside all rules of nutrition and inhaled the ghee loaded parathas your mother made? Did you see your father’s eyes light up when he bit into that pickle he’s been thinking of restocking? Sharing meals is an invitation to share an intimacy that also brings along the comfort of knowing that someone sees you beyond the noise of the world.

So, the next time you sit down to eat, look around. See the faces, hear the stories, feel the hearts. Because breaking bread is the oldest prayer we’ll ever say - a prayer for togetherness, for love, for life.