Comments on: Difference Between Eating and Dining Together

By: Joy-Filled Days - Raising Kids. Keeping House. Choosing Joy, Everyday!

Joy-Filled Days - Raising Kids. Keeping House. Choosing Joy, Everyday! — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:50:09 +0000

[…] this one on the difference between eating together and dining […]

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:36:46 +0000

Oh, Sandy! I love Edith Schaeffer! I gave her book “Hidden Art” to my grown daughters, and have given “What is a Family?” as a wedding gift many times. Definitely worth reading! Thanks for sharing.

By: Martha Artyomenko

Martha Artyomenko — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:44:32 +0000

I wish we as American’s would learn something from other cultures. I am married to a man of Russian decent, and the culture of food is so different than ours. They do have hurried meals of course, but when they have guests, it is very different! Tables are set up, wherever…no matter how small the house is, it is not for its decorative appearance, but then the food is set around the table. You sit and eat, and talk, then tea is served with desserts. As you sit there, cut up fruit may appear, and other candies….more tea is served. Last night, dry fish and a sort of “bacon” that they eat raw with mustard and garlic came out during tea time! We sat there for over 3 hours, visiting and eating slowly. You don’t eat as much as you think that way. You eat slow, you learn that they will be offering you more and you take your time.
But I am always amazed at it! It is one of the best experiences!!!

By: Sheila @Eat2gather

Sheila @Eat2gather — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:17:31 +0000

Ah yes eating together, gathering to eat. More often than not lately we eat, but we are not dining. Last night we dined. We all sat together as a family at the table we prayed, we shared, we passed the food, we laughed. It was a beautiful thing.

By: Lauren@SimplyLKJ

Lauren@SimplyLKJ — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:48:42 +0000

I love this! And it is so true. We have always come to the table together for dinnertime. It is all about relationships and good conversation. I always said, “you can eat standing up, but you must sit to dine.”

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:36:42 +0000

Hi Sandy,

Just love this post – so insightful. I too love The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Such a wonderful book. And yes, good company when dining makes all the difference in the world.

Before my husband and I were married he looked at food as simply fuel – – – nothing more. Inhale and go. To me that defines “eating”.

Once we were married, we would sit down and eat dinner together – often over very simple faire…some times just homemade chicken soup and toasted bread spread with butter. But as we would eat we would chat, getting to know each other better. My husband would often pull his chair closer to mine and we would linger at the table, sometimes holding hands, enjoying a bit of hot tea and a little bite of dessert. It was wonderful. To me, that is dining. :-)

Have a great day.

Love,
Mary

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:34:53 +0000

I totally agree. I think of dining as something that is done to perhaps impress others, eating together is all about relationships.

By: Sarah Beals

Sarah Beals — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:15:08 +0000

Loved this post. Yes, it is about the people. And love Edith Schaeffer’s work. Such a thoughtful approach to life.

By: Amanda @ Serenity Now

Amanda @ Serenity Now — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:06:32 +0000

Excellent definition! It really is all about relationships. :)

By: Judy@Savoring Today

Judy@Savoring Today — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:37:59 +0000

Sandy, I love this! You are speaking my language! Going to give a little talk at a bridal shower coming up about this very thing–I think bridal showers are a perfect opportunity to impart these ideas and encourage the next generation to invest in dinnertime and those gathered around their table. Passing this along today :)