Silent eating
By Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11116)
Malaysia
October 26, 2015 10:19pm CST
Ever heard of Eat, the restaurant in New York that became famous for its "silent eating" concept? (I heard that it's about to close, but I'm not sure).
It's meant to encourage "mindful eating" (a.k.a focusing on appreciating and enjoying your food without any verbal communication whatsoever with the people around you). Apparently, the concept is common in the communal dining room in monasteries.
No talking, no gadgets, no music. Just the sounds of plates and cutlery and glasses.
So what do you think? Would you really enjoy the food more if it's eaten in silence?
14 people like this
16 responses
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Oh wow. Did they penalize the students if they talked or made any noise though? I was in a boarding school and they were quite strict on a lot of things but I'm so glad they didn't have such rules in the dining hall.
2 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
•
28 Oct 15
@LadyDuck I can just about imagine that.. I was in a boarding school for a month..the nuns, the silence and the stone walls made my heart so cold.. that I begged to leave the elite school and come back to the poor school where I could enjoy my childhood..
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (471459)
• Switzerland
28 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 Yes they penalized the students, the lovely nuns were pretty rude.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
27 Oct 15
I enjoy the company more than the food itself.. I don't care for music, but I would like to talk or listen to people who are with me.. that when we catch up with each other at home.. forget the noises of the plates and the cutlery.. I need laughter to spice up the food.
3 people like this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
27 Oct 15
It's difficult for me to go for this kind of mindful eating. I enjoy eating real food and enjoyment increases when there is company.
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
28 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 - Yeah, we are not so patient that we could make do with mindful eating that too without company.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Exactly. Eating out for me also means quality time with family and friends, so it would be awkward to not exchange any conversation while eating.
1 person likes this
@lmpandey (71)
• New Delhi, India
18 Nov 15
@cahaya1983 Yea, gossip with friends is what I like most.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 15
Which is why not everyone is fond of the idea. I think most of us prefer to eat out and socialize at the same time.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
It would be awkward, yes. I don't think I'm the type that would prefer to eat in such a setting.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
I still don't know what they would do if people start talking. But yeah if they do kick people out, I'd probably be one of the first.
that sounds really new. But I find it more fun to talk while eating.@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Same here. In fact I think I'd enjoy the food more if I have company. 
@allknowing (136541)
• India
28 Oct 15
There are what you call dinner conversations that are in fact recommended and so there will hardly be any takers for this eerie atmosphere
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
2 Nov 15
Apparently they became a huge hit, although I don't know if the people who went there actually enjoyed their experience. I know I wouldn't.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
27 Oct 15
I love to enjoy my food without any noise around, and the people around consider me insane.
I would love dining at one such place.
But wait. The obvious question is what happens when some one starts talking when eating at this place?
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
28 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 Weird looks
I would only keep looking at the eatables and make some noises, never bothering about what the others are looking/staring at
I would only keep looking at the eatables and make some noises, never bothering about what the others are looking/staring at 1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
I had the same question too, but there was no mention about what happens if you do make noise. I mean I doubt they'd kick you out or anything. Maybe weird, angry looks from the staff and other patrons?
1 person likes this
@spleendingo1 (799)
• Grand Haven, Michigan
27 Oct 15
That sounds awesome. Complete quiet while listening to people chew with their mouth open and incessant belching lol MY KIND OF PLACE! 
1 person likes this
@spleendingo1 (799)
• Grand Haven, Michigan
28 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 I'm good with the belching. Some people elevate it to an art form lol
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Lol I don't think I can bear the sound of people noisily crunching carrots and celery. And belching! 
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Not my type of place for eating out either.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Tell us about the other one! We have a coffee bar called "The Library" here. No hush eating though.
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
28 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 I can't do that. I might need it one of these days.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Same here. If I really want to eat in silence I might as well eat in an empty room at home and not go at a restaurant at all.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
Me too, I think it's one of the ways to spend quality time talking and communicating with our loved ones.
@Pattitude (1287)
• Newton, North Carolina
28 Oct 15
I would not enjoy this. There are so many factors that affect digestion and I do not think silence would be helpful.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 15
I doubt I would enjoy the experience either. I'm sure I'd feel awkward and uncomfortable.
1 person likes this
