Don’t eat alone! 🍽

I have a secret! I don’t eat alone – neither at work nor at home πŸ˜‰

Instead, I have lunch dates with:

πŸ‘‰πŸΌ My mom or my wife once a week
πŸ‘‰πŸΌ My friends or key partners to catch up
πŸ‘‰πŸΌ My boss, team or peers for a meeting

Also, I never drink alone. While I do not drink alcohol, I always share a warm cup of coffee or tea for:

πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Career conversations
πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Mentoring sessions
πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Quick update meetings

There is something special about sharing a meal or a hot drink with someone. I find it creates mutual understanding, greater trust & stronger bonds β™₯️

Why is that so? We naturally open up when we eat together. It is part of our DNA as human beings to relate, connect & build relationships 🧬

Our internal barriers, masks & inhibitions naturally fall as we have a conversation over a meal. When we hold a warm cup of tea or coffee in our hands, we are more trusting as well β˜•οΈ

One more secret – In most cases, I listen more – 80% of the time is simply listening & holding the space with the personπŸ‘‚

Sometimes, I don’t talk at all – specially with my wife or mom 🀫 – For each one, once in a while I have a date where I only listen. This helps a lot in keeping the most important women in my life happy πŸ˜‰ !

On the other hand, I totally respect the fact that many people like to eat alone as quiet time to recharge. For me, this quiet time is often in the morning when I meditate or in the evening when I wind down before going to bed. 

Not eating alone works for me to build tight-knit relationships. What works for you?