I just came across an interesting comment in a book. Supposedly, if people are in a restaurant with somebody, they look at their food more than the other person. If they are alone, they watch people more than their food.
It seems right, and I remember doing both things, but I’m curious. Is this what you do? Is this what people around you do?
Of course, the question doesn’t take into consideration the prevalence of phones at the table. So, do phones affect the original premise? Or does it still hold true?
Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. “Grief: The Inside Story is perfect and that is not hyperbole! It is exactly what folk who are grieving need to read.” –Leesa Healy, RN, GDAS GDAT, Emotional/Mental Health Therapist & Educator
Bertram's Blog 
February 22, 2020 at 12:34 pm
If I’m alone, I tend to watch people unless there’s a TV set with something interesting. When I’m with people, I only look aat my food long enough to prevent injury.
February 22, 2020 at 12:41 pm
I feel like when I’m with people at a restaurant, I divide my attention between my food and my dinner companions. When I’m alone, I read a book, because that’s more important.
February 22, 2020 at 2:24 pm
When dining with someone, I pay attention to that person.
But when dining alone, I almost always have a book with me to distract me from everything going on around me.
February 22, 2020 at 6:01 pm
If I’m with someone, I’m conversing with them while I eat, looking at my food only long enough to get the next forkful. Alone, I’m likely to be reading or looking at my phone while I eat. I do check out the people around me, but once I’ve glanced at them, that’s it.