Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Your Last Supper

Since people started eating--in other words, since the beginning of mankind--sharing a meal has been a social activity.  Today we're going to think about why and so what:  why is eating something we share? how does the dining experience a important part of the things we read?

So here's how we'll start today...
In a paragraph, capture your last social dining experience.  With whom did you share it?  Why?  Would you share this same experience with someone you dislike?  Why or why not?

When you finish capturing your own thinking, peruse the responses of your classmates.  What do you notice about what your experiences have in common?  Record your thinking in your notes.

I'll start...
Every night, my husband and I share dinner; (we love to cook).  My last social dining experience though was with my family on Sunday night.  Nearly every weekend, we collect to enjoy good food and each others' company.  We are privileged to have parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings all in one place, so we try to get together often because we value family.  Last Sunday, we enjoyed green chile stew, some World Series baseball, and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters.  It was kind of funny to think about this question though because I am not sure why we specifically choose to get together over food--not a movie, or an event, or anything else.  And no, I don't believe I'd choose to share dinner with someone I disliked.

Now you go...

51 comments:

  1. My last dining experience was last night with my brother, my mom, and my mom's friends Kandace. We went to the White Chocolate Grill. My brother and my mom were complaining heavily, but me and Kandace were pushing to stay just a little longer because it would be worth the wait. It was out of the "norm" because we hardly ever eat out anymore since the economy has been horrible lately, so we've been cooking at home.

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  2. My last dinner I shared with people other than my family was on Sunday. I went to my friends house for the afternoon. We had pizza and pasta, and watched the football game between the Saints and Steelers. After we had to hand out candy to the people who came by. I think that eating is a good way to get together with people because you can relax over a meal, and isn't anything big like a vacation somewhere.

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  5. Everyday after school my grandmother and I make dinner for my parents, siblings, and myself. The last time I had a social dining experience was the second to last weekend in October. At the end of each month my family goes over to my grandparents house to have a family dinner. My grandma, my cousin and I always make dinner for everyone. Food is a big thing for our family, because we are Italians and LOVE food. It is always so fun to be with my family, because we share so many memories together. I don't think I would ever share this with anyone outside of family, because it has always been family and shouldn't change.

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  6. The last time I had a social dinner that was different than our usual dinner was on Saturday when I went to my friends house. I was staying the night and his dad decided to make us a traditional Israeli dinner (since they are Persian, and they consider themselves Israeli). We sat around the table and laughed and talked and joked around while we all ate. It was a different experience, but it was a nice experience. That was the most recent social event I have had.

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  7. Most nights, my family and I sit down for a very quick and brief dinner and then we go back to doing our own thing around the house. But a couple of nights ago my family and I all sat down and ate what seemed to be an extremely big dinner that lasted for at least 30 minutes. This is not normal for my family because usually our dinners are very brief but his one was different and it was fun to change for ounce. This is what is becoming the "norm" around my house now because thats what my mom likes to do.

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  8. The last time I had a family dinner was last night. The most memorable dinner is thanksgiving dinner our whole family including my aunt, uncle, my grandma and grandpa. And my cousins. It is a very nice dinner and there is a lot of food and it is a good way to see my whole family.
    The best part about thanksgiving dinner is the food there is so much and we always have leftovers. The food is great because my grandma is a great cook. That is my most memorable dinner.

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  9. My last dining experience was over the summer at my Grandpas wedding... My grandpa had been dating for a while (Ha I know it's kind of funny but I'm still happy for him) and they finally decided to get married. So now at the wedding, I had to meet all of my new family members for the first time which can be a very awkward experience. And the even worse aspect of this was I had to dance with my step grandmas sister which I dread completely but whatever at least I was being nice. But really the one thing that made the dancing worse was that my dad was recording me with his camera. That just made everything worse, but whatever I deleted it afterwards any way... After all of that I had to eat at a table with relatives that I had not talked to in over 6 years which is still awkward, but less so then when I had to try to talk to new relatives that I had not talked to before in my life. So overall the experience was ok but still really awkward and slightly nerve racking, well at least for me...

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  10. The last eating experience that i've had out of the norm was with my step family,because I don't regularly visit them this was out of the norm. This dinner included my half brother Quintuice, my step sisters Ariana and Sabery, my step mom Caroline and my dad. We ate a delicious meal of steak fajitas.

    I really don't think anyone would eat with someone they didnt like unless being forced to do so.

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  11. I eat dinner with my family every night but yesterday, I ate lunch with one of my friend named Daniel. Him and I ate Chipotle and we hung out. Most of the time I eat with my friend, Jack, but I decided to try something new. It was really fun because I found out that we have a lot in common. We both like tennis and we both like soccer. I think that I will have to eat with him soon. We talked about how bad the Broncos are doing and how good the tennis team a Arapahoe did. That is the last out of the ordinary social eating experience I have had lately.

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  12. Last night I went out with my family to dinner to celebrate my birthday. My brother didn't come, as he had torn a muscle in his arm and was too tired to go out.I don't really think it matters whether or not you like the people you're eating with. It is more enjoyable if you like the people you're with, but people eat with people they hate all the time, all you have to do is convince your dining partner you actually care about what they have to say. Social connections can be made over lunch, which is why people usually go with family, friends, or people it would be beneficial to be friends with. Everyone has to deal with that 3rd group every once in a while.

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  13. My last social dinner I had was at an Indian restaurant about a week ago. The smell of incense lingered through the building. I became sick of it and occasionally had to go outside to get my lungs full of fresh air. This ruined my experience there as my food became cold while I was outside. If that particular smell went away I would go back and try their food again. Truly, my last social dinner was a bad experience.

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  14. The last supper I have attended was with my friends, and we visited my favorite restaurant, Yuan's Mongolian Barbecue Palace. It is always a fun occasion to go to that restaurant, because not only do you get great food you make yourself, but the atmosphere and the waitresses are always so fun to talk to, because they are from Mongolia. My friend, Riley, and I started the tradition of going to this restaurant on Wednesdays whenever we could and had money. Ever since I have come with him and also bringing other friends to share the fun experiance.

    - Matt

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  15. For my Grandpa's 80th birthday the family all came into Boulder and we went to the Red Lion Inn, even without my Grandpa because he was in his soon to be death bed, as a big group of people we reserved a separate room and had people only catering to us. As we were taking photos of the family, during one of the photos one of the waiters jumped in it. After the photo we were discussing who we would say he was, we decided to call him Crazy Uncle Al. My family talked to "Crazy Uncle Al" for awhile and it turns out that my dad actually knew the guy from when my dad worked at the Red Lion 20 years ago. They talked for hours after that about the business and much more, as it turns out that man could actually be my Crazy Uncle Al.

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  16. My every night dinning can sometimes be an adventure, sometimes my dad will invite new people to have dinner with us, without knowing what we are making or if there is enough. But the most memorable as of late was last Saturday when there was a harvest party at my friends house. Me and my sister came early by the request of our friend. As we were getting ready more of our friends showed up on time. We ate dinner all over the house, there was people on the couches and at the table and on the floor. We laughed and joked and it was a light hearted night filled with teaching every one how to play card games. I don't think that I would want some one who I don't really care for, its too fun for them.

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  17. Dinner is more than just food in our family. Everyone gets together and shares what their day had in store for them. We share experiences while dining over a fantastic meal. Our family often goes off in different ways during the day in our house. Either doing homework, watching TV, or some other activity. Dinner is a chance for all of us to come together and interact with each other. Dinner is an important part in a daily routine and a fun one, I would never want to share this experience with someone I dislike.

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  18. My last social dining experience was a few weeks ago. I went over to my friend's house for her grandmother's birthday. We are basically sisters, and her grandmother is like my grandmother, since I don't have one. All of the friends and family were huddled around the buffet table when Maddie and I went outside to eat. We had potatoes, fruit, and kabobs. We sat and talked for a while then went back inside. Everyone was getting dessert and Maddie and I played piano and I also sang for everyone as they ate their delicious chocolate dipped strawberries and cake. We all sang happy birthday and the night came to close. It so much fun feeling so included in such a big family and celebration, I think that's one reason why we have these social events. I don't think I'd want to share this experience with someone I disliked, I don't think I'd want to share many, if any, experiences with someone I disliked.

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  19. It was with my next door neighbor 4 years ago and I was in 5th grade. I was camping with his family in yellow stone and we were next the lake. I have only been camping once twice before and it was with them. I was excited because my friend's whole family was going to be there and someone was bring there boat and jet skies.
    When we arrived it was close to diner time and I have never eaten over a camp fire before this day with that many people. I was scared eating with people I have never met before and do something I am not used to. I was afraid I was going to do something wrong.
    We were the last family to arrive at the camp fire. I then I saw a bunch of people having a good time with another camp sight and I knew I was welcome and I had the one of the best dinners of a life.

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  20. People go to celebrate the unity of two soul mate.Having both parts of families come together as one.I was at a wedding sitting with friends and family at a beautifully decorated table.Seeing the people in all their fancy close.The bright vibrant colors blending together.Talking to my friends and laughing at all the drunk people dancing around. Seeing the flash of a camera every five seconds.That was one good night.

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  22. My last social dining experience was with my mom, dad, and sister. A normal family dinner but still as special as ever. We went to Land of Sushi, a nice, yummy, kind of expensive place. We have always liked that place and we take advantage of the amazing sushi they have. My dad is a gentleman, like always, and orders whatever we want. At that point he didn't care how much it would cost because we are worth it to him.After the amazing dinner with plenty of laughter and love we leave to go home.

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  23. My last social dining experience was last night. I had dinner with my mom, my sister, and her fiance. We just had dinner at the dinner table and talked about a number of things like school, work or something that has happened to us. I always enjoy talking with my family and I don't know if I would like that to have dinner with someone I dislike. I wouldn't want to have dinner with them because if I don't like them I obviously wouldn't want to spend an entire meal trying to make conversation that I really didn't care about.

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  26. The last time a had a social meal was with my friends Jake and Davis. After skating all day at Jake's we were hungry like wolves. His family made pigs in a blanket and chicken noodle soup because they were having company that night so they were already making food. This is probably something I would not do with someone that I dislike because that would be weird and awkward.

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  27. In my last dinning experience i shared with was this morning. I shared this with my twin sister Alysia. I would share breakfast with her everyday because sh always makes food for me and her even when i haven't even gotten up yet. i love sharing this with her because then we really talk and its quiet and peaceful. also it helps us reconnect with on another. I wouldn't share this meal with someone i dislike because then that would make things so weird and awkward. also i think i would rather have my sister and i wouldn't like to share the things i do with my sister with the person i dislike because thous are my secrets and i would be able to trust them. also i don't think they would be able to make breakfast just the way i like it. thats my last dinning experience.

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  28. The last social dinning experience I have had was a couple of weeks ago when my mom dad sister and I all sat down together and talked. we just talked, talked about anything, everything. we almost never eat together because we are almost almost never together, we had prime rib that my dads work gave him for doing a good job I slow roasted it to perfection and we bonded together pretty well. I do believe with someone i don't like because i have it helps to just talk sometimes and have to but heads on everything. :)

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  29. My last dinning experience was a month ago on my sister Rose's birthday. After I got home from school and she got off work we all met at my house for presents.After the presents we took her out to eat at one one her favorite Mexican restaurants and discussed school, work and everything in between.It was nice to see my sister again after such a long time and to have a good conversation with everyone over dinner.And I don't think we would have invited anyone we didn't care for otherwise.;)

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  30. Most nights, my family has their own routine of when they eat, where they eat and what they eat. My brother for instance, arrives home from basketball and will go back out and eat with friends, so he's not with the rest of the family very often. My dad usually comes home and cooks, he loves to cook. And I'll eat whenever it's ready. And my mom will get home about halfway through the meal and sit down with us.But my last social dining experience was with my basically second family. It was dinner Sunday night with my twin best friends, and their parents. It's easy to eat with them because I've known them my whole life, and conversations are easy to come up. We then got ready afterwards to go out and enjoy some trick-or-treating. I think eating with the ones you love matters most, you have the chance to catch up with one another and talk about the past or future, and i know I couldn't share that with somebody I disliked.

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  31. The last major dinning experience was on Saturday because my dad ,being out of town most of the time, was home. At dinner we learn how peoples days went how they feel, and what else we have to do before we go to bed that night. This helps us to bond further and helps us to understand other peoples problems of the day , and give advice if thats needed to another person. We often eat a wonderful meal made by my mom as we talk about our joys, and concerns.

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  32. My last social dining was when I went to my cousins wedding a few weekends ago. We had the reception up at the Manor House, which was really nice. Tons of people were there. All of my cousins and aunts and uncles, plus all of the grooms side of the family was there too. Even though I didn't know most of the people there it was still tons of fun. I probably wouldn't share this experience with people I don't like because I think that it is the people who you are with that makes events fun, not what you do.

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  33. My last social dining experience was on Sunday at my neighbors house. It was Halloween so everybody was dressed up in a costume.We made some delicious pizza. We started discussing movies so I hopped in the conversation and talked about zombie movies, my favorite. The classic George A. Romero movies Dawn of the Dead and Night of the Living Dead are the best. I started talking about the most effective weapons to use against the walking dead. This dining experience was effective because if a zombie apocalypse ever happened my neighbors could get the right weapons and save themselves. No I would not dine with someone I dislike because they don't need to know how to kill a zombie they can get infected.

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  34. The last time I had dinner with people other than my family was last Saturday when my family and i went over to our neighbors house to celebrate Halloween. We were served grilled chicken, along with heavenly mashed potatoes and green beans. We had rich, chocolaty brownies for dessert with a nice tall class of cold milk. Later we played board games such as "Sorry" over a steaming hot cup of hot chocolate. The best part of the dinner was going back for seconds. I have gotten so close with all of my neighbors over the years, since i have known them since i was born. They feel just like a second family to me. I would not enjoy a dinner with someone i dislike because i wouldn't feel comfortable with them.

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  35. The last meal i had where i ate with someone was a few nights ago. We sat and ate a "Hardy" meal (my brother always complains if it isn't "Hardy". We always talk during dinner about whats going on in our lives, because when dinner is over we all split up to either do homework or do something fun. It seems to me like its a bonding experience than anything else to me. Its a time when you will always talk to your family if their around.

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  36. I eat dinner with my family ever night, but one night was different.We just got done with hockey practice and I walk out and my mom is not there. My team mate's my comes up to me and says we are taking you to dinner. Your mom went to get the tables ready. It was fun because it was some great team bonding and we had a lot of fun together. In this case i went to dinner with someone I don't like because we went as a team, but I do not like going ot dinner with people I don't like.

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  37. My last Social dinner was last night. My sister had just had her second child and I was going to meet him along with seeing my sisters, nephews, and uncle. We met at six at a near by noodles and company. All of us hovered over the new baby while we ate our noodles. We talked about school, life, and normal, everyday, family drama. Once we were finished we said our good byes and left. I don't normally go out to eat but in this case it was a special occasion. I wouldn't particularly want to eat dinner with someone i disliked but if I was forced to in order to make to host happy i certaintly would.

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  38. My last social dining experience was on Halloween night when I went over to my girlfriends house to eat dinner with her family. We had stuffed mushrooms and green chili, and for dessert, some sweet Halloween candy. Her grandparents were also there because it was her grandfather's birthday. During our dinner, we watched the Broncos lose to the Forty-Niners, and we all agreed that our chances of going to the post-season were pretty much done for.

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  39. The last social meal that I attended was on Tuesday night for my grandmas birthday. At least once a month my moms side of the family meet up and enjoy a meal together. Last night we ate pasta, salad, and lots of appetizers and desserts! it was amazing. Every family brings something to eat. My aunt Marcie brings appetizers, uncle brings the main coarse, aunt Andi brings desserts, we bring salad, and my grandma supplies the house for us to share it in! We have always met up once in a wile to have a full family dinner, but a couple months ago when my grandpa passed away we decided to enjoy the family dinner once a month. The overall experience has changed a lot since my grandpa is gone, but we always find a way to have a good time. I couldn't share this experience with someone I didn't like because it would be way to hard to enjoy the conversation and the night would last forever! Even though families argue and have hard times, we survive them together. I love my monthly dinner with my family because it helps us all stay close. That is a feeling I will never want to loose!

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  40. The last social dining experience was last night. It was a bit different because my dad was on a business trip to Nevada and so it was just my mom and sister. We had pizza and my sister had soup because she just got braces and she can't eat very well yet. We watched the some of the elections with dinner. For desert, we had brownies and ice cream. We enjoyed dinner together, even though my dad wasn't there. It was just your usual dinner but it was good to have a little time together as a family.

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  41. The last irregular dinning experience I had was with my cousin and his new wife. It was the night after they got married and it was so we could be there when they opened presents. We had pizza delivered to my aunts house and we all had a lot of fun. I don't think I would want to share this experience with someone I didn't like because this was a great experience to welcome his wife to the family and I wouldn't do that for someone I disliked.

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  42. My last dining experience was last night we got Red Robin.
    Me, my mom, my dad, my brother, and sister we all sat around the dinner table while we watched the election results. We talked and laughed it was a really good night. I had the guacamole bacon burger my dad a salad my mom some type of chicken burrito my sister French fries and my brother pizza. My dog was begging the whole time we ate. This is one of the best dinners I've had.

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  43. My last social meal was last night with my brother, father, and mother. We had a nice meal consistent of chicken, potatoes, peas, bacon, steak, noodles, corn, carrots, pork, salmon, apples, bananas, crabs, donuts, cider, grapes, peanuts, tacos, cheese, and soup. My brother and i discussed who is going do do their homework first while my parents decided what they wanted to do newly with the house. The only way I could eat a dinner like that with someone I don't like, is if they didn't talk.

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  44. The last social supper I experienced was last year when my grandfather died. It was a sorrowful supper, but we spoke all about his life and past good memories we had of him. It was hard, but we all made it through. My whole family was there and our whole table was filled with food. This supper was said to be the last great feast of the Thesings. This will never again occur. It's ironic, the last great Thesing feast happened when my grandfather the first true Thesing, died.

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  45. Today I plan on having lunch with my brother in law my and my friends Caleb, Eli and Peter. We have lunch together once a week because we want our relationships to grow with each other. Also I like spending time with them. I do this with them because they are my friends, I would not eat with someone I didn't like and if I did I would not enjoy the meal. In history eating with people is a very kind thing and a social statement it was bad to eat with the poor. So eating is very important.

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  46. My last supper was with my mom and dad. It was fun because we hadn't seen each other in a while. We had a wonderful dinner, socializing and talking about our days and upcoming events. The food was delicious we ate chicken green beans and mashed potatoes. It was great having a fun family dinner talking and eating with these people who are so close to me. It is great to share a meal with people you love, it makes the whole situation much eaiser than if you were eating with someone you didn't like. My last supper was a good one

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  47. The last time I ate dinner it was last week at Outback Steakhouse with my Dad, brother, and friend. I ordered a Fillet Steak with a baked potato. I think social dinners are great because it a time to relax and catch up on things. I rarely go out to eat but I think it's a nice change and is definatly a better experience when you share it with others. Social dinners have always been with others and make life more pleasing. Normally life is a hassle with school and everything so social dinners with friends and family sort of relieve stress and are a treat that needs to be in every bodies life.

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  48. My family very much loves to cook. The whole family loves to pitch in and help when they can. The last big dinner we all had was a month or so ago. After my great uncle passed away we all went to eat. There were distant relatives, cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, family friends and in-laws. We had tons of dessert(which my family's favorite part of a gathering) on top of fruit, chip a bunch of odds and ends along with tons of different meats. We all came together to celebrate the life of a loved one. We use this dinner as a place to laugh and have fun with close friends and family as well as a place to weep and morn. I would never have dinner with someone I didn't like in place of having it with my family its too much fun.

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  49. My last actual social outing was on homecoming night. We had a great time at macaroni grill. I was there with Parker L, Andrew F, Mckenna B, and Lyndsi A. We talked about just about everything there was to talk about. From at the dance to what was happening next year the conversation never ended. The food arrived about an hour after we arrived and it was completely and udderly scrumptious! The first bite of the creamy fettucini alfreado was bursting with rich, smooth, flavors that tantalized my tastebuds. The aroma emminating off of our table drew any crowd that neared. The meal was filling and we all payed our fees. We then headed off to the homecoming dance to party until we couldn't anymore.

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  50. My last social dinning experience was when I was sitting in Buca de Bepo with my whole family, my neighbors, and my uncle and cousin. The topic of our conversation was college. I was really hungry at the time so I didn't pay very much attention to the conversation, just counting the number of waiters that looked like they were coming to our table with huge delicious platters of food on there hand, only to keep on walking and make my stomach growl even louder. I really value social conversation (when I can pay attention)because it updates everyone on what is happening in everyone else's lives. I would not share this social experience with anyone that I disliked if i could help it.

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  51. My last big dinner was with my mom, her boyfriend, my brother and I. Me and my mom eat a nice dinner just about every night, but i thought this one would be a little better and more interesting to talk about. It was Sunday night - the night before Halloween - and my mother invited my brother over to dinner, this is rather rare because my brother lives with my dad because my mom and him don't get along the greatest. But Sunday was special, Sunday went without a hitch. We had tacos that night and my mom is a great cook, i always enjoy the food she makes me. Previously the day was already great because well for one, it was Halloween day, and for two, i had spent the whole day with my neighbors which I love. But that Sunday had just got better, my brother surprised me when i opened the door of my house. I ate incredible tacos, I got my costume for trick-or-treating on and headed out to make a great night even greater...

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