Reflection 1: Table for One, Please—On Solo Dining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Buddha is said to have once proclaimed: “There is no joy in eating alone.” Historically, a number of Americans have shared that sentiment. For decades, asking for a "table for one" in America carried with it an unchallenged social stigma. However, in the 21st century, a cultural shift has been underway. Today, solo dining reservations are surging, as roughly a quarter of Americans now routinely eat out by themselves. Still, the legacy of that old social anxiety lingers. Why has public solo dining inspired so much dread for so long, even as the social narrative is being rewritten? How comfortable are you with the notion of solo dining? 

For this reflection, you must have one meal in public, entirely alone. As you do so, consider:

• The meal needn't be anything extravagant—a simple cup of coffee will do. The point is simply to eat by yourself, be it in a cafe, food court, cafeteria, or restaurant.
• Americans tend to feel less awkward eating alone if they have an electronic device (e.g. cell phone, e-reader, smart watch, laptop) to keep them company. You might challenge yourself to solo dine without the aid of an electronic device. Instead, people watch, sight-see, or even eavesdrop.
• The ultimate challenge: dinner. Dinner is often thought by many Americans be the most challenging meal to eat in public alone. If you can, consider a solo dinner at a restaurant.

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:  

• “What You Learn from Eating Alone” (The Atlantic)
• “r/NoStupidQuestions: Why Do People Feel Weird About Eating Alone at Restaurants?: (Reddit)
• “Sharing Meals is Associated with Greater Wellbeing” (Nature)
• “How I Learned to Eat Alone and Not Be Lonely” (The Atlantic)

Requirements:

• MLA Style (including works cited)
• Approx. 500 words
• AI Disclosure Statement (place at end of document; see syllabus for details)

Due: Fri 9.11 (via Canvas)

Submission window: Wed. 11.8 - Wed. 11.15