What Is Commensality? A Critical Discussion of an Expanding Research Field

Abstract

Commensality (the act of eating together) is studied in a range of disciplines and often considered important for social communion, order, health and well-being, while simultaneously being understood as in decline (especially the family meal). However, such claims are also contested in various ways. In this paper, we discuss the expanding field of commensality research and critically reflect on the debates surrounding its social functions, including its role in public health. We illuminate the deep social and cultural significance of commensality, through time and space, and conclude that whether or not commensality is the preferred social form of eating for any given individual, it is difficult to escape its sociocultural desirability and idealization. As a cross-cultural phenomenon in both past, present, and future, we suggest that commensality deserves further research. This includes commensality as a research topic in itself and as an entry point to unveil different dimensions of social relations between people, as well as interactions between humans and material objects.

Solo Dining at Home in the Company of ICT Devices

“…Different research disciplines have explored the concept and components of commensality using a range of methods to capture its core. It seems, though, that the term is used inconsistently and includes different conceptual constructs such as "family dinner" and "eating together" (Jönsson et al, 2021;Scander et al, 2021). The origin of the term insinuates notions of sharing a table.…”

“…The shared food experience itself can be divided into multiple dimensions, including an interaction dimension (space, time, and mealrelated actions), a symbolic dimension (meaning ascribed to food and diners), a normative dimension (standards relating to food and eating context) and a material dimension (cooking and eating-related objects) (Visser, 2015;Giacoman, 2016). The details of the different dimensions differ depending on a temporal and social context, and aspects of commensality have changed throughout the centuries (Visser, 2015;Jönsson et al, 2021).…”

“…The consumption of food is a biological requirement, but food and the context of eating can carry significant symbolic and cultural meaning within society (Visser, 2015;Abarca, 2021;Jönsson et al, 2021). The act of eating together is also referred to as "commensality".…”

“…The act of eating together is also referred to as "commensality". The term can be traced back to the medieval Latin word "commensalis" meaning as much as sharing the same table or sharing food at the same table (Jönsson et al, 2021). The act of eating together can create a sense of bonding by establishing a personal food atmosphere rather than a strictly professional one (Fischler, 2011).…”

Culinary Solitude in the Diet of People with Functional Diversity

“…As a result, the practice of eating together is a basic component of our social nature. [ 8 ]. As Medina [ 7 ] has suggested, commensality is more than sharing food and spending time together—its final goal is the preservation of the social structure of a group.…”