Manners|On Thursday, HS told about a Filipino group that haunted Finns eating alone. Researchers at the University of Helsinki recognize a domestic phenomenon and find a logical explanation for it.
Is it Is there anything special about the Finns’ way of eating alone?
In many cultures, eating is a shared moment where the whole family and close circle gather after a long day. On Finnish soil, however, it is not unusual to come across individuals who have lunch, coffee or dinner in their own circumstances.
What is this about? Is the oft-repeated stereotype of an introverted Finn who avoids human contact correct?
The question arose when HS told about the Filipino group on Thursdaywhich haunted Finns eating alone.
Helsinki the dean of the university’s Faculty of Education Johanna Mäkelä immediately recognize the phenomenon. Mäkelä has worked as a professor of food culture.
“In our culture, eating alone is more acceptable.”
Mäkelä stresses that even though company is not necessary for Finns when eating every day, there is still an ideal of a communal meal. This is shown in the way that, for example, leaving the family Christmas table may be considered impolite.
Alone eating is often not a goal, but due to everyday busyness and other practical challenges, it is not considered a stigma nowadays. It can even be trendy.
“In the 2010s, the Solo dining phenomenon, recognized internationally, has emerged, as a result of which services are produced with the idea that it is not embarrassing to eat alone,” says Mäkelä.
According to Mäkelä, solo dining has affected, for example, the size of restaurant tables. For those eating alone, restaurants prepare smaller tables or tables intended for shared use.
In Filipino culture, we always eat together. The picture is from HS’s story on Thursday.
Helsinki PhD student at the university Sami Koponen has studied the Solo dining phenomenon. He says that the growth of eating alone has been particularly influenced by fast-paced restaurants where you don’t have to sit at tables for hours.
“The number of people living alone has been increasing in many countries, and so has the number of people eating alone,” says Koponen.
According to Koponen, it is not only a restaurant phenomenon. Behind it is the realization of the townspeople that even those who are alone should have the same rights as the rest of the population. The prevailing culture has begun to be questioned and changed, and being alone is no longer considered as taboo as it was before.
The phenomenon as a result, separate websites have been set up for those who eat alone, through which they can get information about restaurants that have a positive attitude towards those who eat alone. In addition, the sites have provided discussion forums where restaurant experiences have been shared.
Solo dining is not only intended for people experiencing loneliness, but it can also be a relaxing experience in the middle of a social life.
“The world is quite a demanding place when you have to interact almost all the time. Sometimes it’s nice to take a breather, even by going to a restaurant alone.”
Typically Cancers who are alone are looking for someone to connect with. Johanna Mäkelä finds it interesting that eating alone is often accompanied by an object, such as a newspaper. The phone may also be used while eating.
“That magazine is there as if offering company to someone who is alone,” Mäkelä thinks.
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