Commensality is a word and concept of which I first learned in a mythology class when I was in college. It is defined as fellowship at the table or the practice of eating at the same table and it was presented to us students in the context of the very long-standing phenomenon that groups of people are often defined by the people with whom they eat. From ancient times to present day lunchroom cafeterias, eating with others is a meaningful practice and we are often careful to select (or avoid) the people with whom we would like (or not like) to eat.
I like the concept of commensality, not from a potentially divisive point of view, but from the perspective of shared nourishment. Eating is a very basic need that we all share and eating together can create strong bonds, particularly when food is shared among the individuals at the table. Meals (or coffees, or walks to get ice cream, etc.) also create opportunities to converse and share more than the food itself. Pairing these experiences with the mutual nourishment that individuals receive from eating together can further serve to create a bond or a sense of community. Last week’s New York Times Magazine was titled. “Eating Together” and had several nice articles on the importance of food and community, including the one at the link below. The article discusses how the benefits of growing and eating local food extend way beyond the freshness, great taste, and environmentally friendliness of the food itself. In fact, local food can help generate stronger community atmospheres. I have experienced this first-hand at the farmers markets in my communities, for example, when the family who sells tamales recognizes me and knows that I would like a chicken chipotle with salsa verde before I even order, when the man from whom I buy salad greens asks why I didn’t bring my dog to the market that week, when I see the local chefs at the market picking up bushels of produce, when the family from whom I buy meat throws an extra sausage link in the package to reward my loyalty, when the farmers who are trying out different species of celery and potatoes ask me to report back and tell them how I liked these varieties so they can plan for how much they might want to grow for next year. For me, these are examples of community - we have come to know and trust one another. And I think that such a sense of community and trust fosters cooperation in more ways that one (i.e., more than just around food). Food brings people together. As the traditional harvest and Thanksgiving holiday approaches, give some thought to how and with whom you have chosen to eat in the past. Then consider who else you might like to “invite to the table” and share a meal with them. The ancient principle of commensality might pay dividends in more ways than one.Cheers,
Larry