There is no denying that eating alone is not highly appreciated. However, statistics point out that 15% of restaurant tables, regardless expensive or cheap, good or poor quality food establishments, are occupied by single individuals. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 40% of the world’s population, have their main daily meal away from home. The conclusion is that we are dealing with a huge universe of individuals eating alone. Not to speak of the ones who stay alone at home during their meals. Are these people happy or unhappy? Ignored? Watched? Admired? Isolated? Feeling frustrated for not being able to get a company for lunch or dinner? An object for public curiosity or disdain?
The act of eating alone is a condition, no question, that arises out of necessity, but also out of pleasure. There are quite a few books on the negative side, even one whose title is «Never Eat Alone», with tips on how to always get company for your meals no matter where you are. This is ok, the human being is gregarious by nature, or is he. The fact remains, however, that the number of persons in that condition is high, and is growing exponentially by the day, as more people, young and older, choose to remain single, in addition to living longer. Please have a closer look at those who eat alone at restaurants, or at those sitting alone on a bench down the road with their sandwiches and yogurts. Most are not unhappy, and many look very smart. Admittedly, some are visibly uneasy with the empty chairs or places at their side, but for most I suspect they are having a good time not only with their meal, but also—and here comes the trick– with their condition. Maybe they do not realize the extent and depth of the pleasures they are experiencing. Unsuspected, even transcendental pleasures.
Our aim here is to pursue this unsuspected positive side of eating alone. No, not by giving you a few tips, the Web already carries a lot of sites on the subject. Maybe I can refer to some as we go along these lines, but, frankly, I want to inquire deeper into those pleasures. Do they really exist? Am I not being too farfetched? Enough of miseries in relation to loneliness. There is a bright side to it, and the occasion of eating alone tends to be a particularly good one to experience that. May I invite you to go along with me and plunge into these so far quite unchartered waters of the hidden (and transcendental) pleasures of eating alone? I personally got an interest in the subject due to professional circumstances of a diplomatic career, with lots of travelling for meetings, and also out of a bit of shyness. Eating alone may be somewhat awkward, no question. May I suggest, however, that it can be seen as part of the human condition, and consequently related to its miseries, its glories, dreams, sufferings, discoveries and towards its enhancement.
What does it really mean, «eating alone»? It seems that condition takes us to experience, if we are willing, different kinds of freedom. While eating alone, with no interference of whatever kind of conversation, and with the help of the natural or enhanced pleasures a good meal always offers, one’s mind is free to fly. There is a sense of nakedness before oneself, all of one’s mental clothing being reduced to a socially conventional minimum. You talk to the waiter, you may greet friends at nearby tables, and your body language can be exceptionally positive towards other people, very much fitting the ambience But your mind is free, you feel it. That is why eating alone can take place even if one is sharing a table with other people. When one feels oblivious about the others, or because one sets oneself on a different mental space. At this point I respectfully leave open the question whether Jesus Christ, at The Last Supper was not Himself a lonely Eater. Please take a clue to the answer: was He not set on a spiritual space far aside or above that of His disciples?