When Sharing Isn't Always Caring

Annyeong, Carrie’s Crew! First of all, I’m not the type of person who dislikes sharing food, but if I had to choose, I would prefer to eat my portion without sharing it with others. It doesn’t matter to me if I need to share certain kinds of food which really should be shared such as pizza, cake, and cookies. However, I feel a little uncomfortable if I have to share the food which has a rule of 'one portion per person', for example, noodles and porridge. Being a person who prefers to enjoy my meals, I’m often thinking that one meal portion has to be consumed by one person. This may be contrary to the common perspective about sharing food.

Every time I share my bread, I still feel hungry because the bread that has been shared with others is not enough to fill my stomach. I realize that enjoying a meal together creates a more enjoyable experience and reflects kindness among individuals. While sharing food can build connection and understanding with our family, friends, and colleagues, here are five potential cons to consider:

 

1.     Cultural sensitivity

We never know the culture that exists in every country to follow up on food before we get that information through the internet or other people. Our action to ask people for food may be misunderstood or disrespected, causing offense. For example, Rujak Cingur from Surabaya. Local trust said, that if one portion of Rujak Cingur is eaten by two people on the same plate, it will bring bad luck or disaster. If we want to go halves in food with other people, it’s a good choice if we ask about their dietary restrictions at first because not all people may follow the same dietary restrictions such as vegetarianism.

 

2.     Environmental impact

Shared meals can sometimes result in significant food waste. If a person we share the food with doesn’t like the food’s taste, they may not continue to eat their part which we should be able to munch. Meals that are shared sometimes use more cutlery when the person is not used to eating on the same plate as you. The use of disposable plates, utensils, and packaging can contribute to environmental waste.  

 

3.     Health and hygiene concerns

Our hands are always dirty because we definitely touch something around us. If we share our meals using our hands without maintaining proper hygiene, it can spread bacteria and viruses. Shared utensils and dishes can also lead to cross-contamination, especially if someone has a contagious illness. Moreover, when we are unaware of the meal ingredients, there is a risk of allergic reactions to the others.

 

4.     Personal preferences and picky eaters

Every person has a different taste of food. The food we admire is not always what people are fond of. Not everyone may enjoy or be accustomed to the same flavors of food. When our intentions are nice to share meals with people, some people may be reluctant to try new or unfamiliar foods. When they refuse the food we share, we’ll automatically feel offended, and the situation will turn uncomfortable.

 

5.     Personal boundaries and comfort levels

Some people may feel uncomfortable sharing utensils or eating from communal dishes. Certain kind of foods like Tumpeng is a perfect example. When a Tumpeng is cut and shared, each person usually uses different cutlery to maintain the sacredness and cleanliness of the food. This also honors the symbolism of Tumpeng as the center of celebration and gratitude. Individuals with social anxiety may also find shared meals stressful or overwhelming.

 

By exploring the concept of the cons of sharing food, I become more convinced that everyone has the right to enjoy their food according to their preferences. Hopefully, this post can inspire Carrie’s Crew to better understand and appreciate individual food choices. By respecting it, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Let’s be more open to every individual’s food preferences. Thank you for reading and enjoy your meal!