Social dining (by a group of people) is meeting either at someone's place or at restaurant to enjoy a meal together. It is a philosophy of using meals specifically as a means to connect with others: eat to socialize.
A brunch, dinner or supper party are popular examples of places to socially gather over food.
Social dining differs from a
dining club
A dining club (UK) or eating club (US) is a Social club, social group, usually requiring membership (which may, or may not be available only to certain people), which meets for dinners and discussion on a regular basis. They may also often have g ...
in the sense that it is not exclusive, but promotes an inclusive atmosphere. Friends and strangers alike can share the social dining experience.
History
Social dining dates back to
Ancient Greek cuisine
Ancient Greek cuisine was characterized by its frugality for most, reflecting agricultural hardship, but a great diversity of ingredients was known, and wealthy Greeks were known to celebrate with elaborate meals and feasts.
The cuisine was found ...
when meals would be prepared for the purpose of gathering together during festivals or commemorations.
Influence of Technology
Technology has made social dining a sharable experience through real-time updates, uploaded images and check-ins (at someone's place or at the restaurant). Conversations about meals happen between people present and then are shared with those who are connected to them afar. Websites such as
Twitter
Twitter, officially known as X since 2023, is an American microblogging and social networking service. It is one of the world's largest social media platforms and one of the most-visited websites. Users can share short text messages, image ...
,
Facebook
Facebook is a social media and social networking service owned by the American technology conglomerate Meta Platforms, Meta. Created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with four other Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andre ...
,
FourSquare and Gastronaut all encourage people to discuss their dining activities in a virtual, social space. Apps can be downloaded to a user's
smartphone
A smartphone is a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. It typically has a touchscreen interface, allowing users to access a wide range of applications and services, such as web browsing, email, and social media, as well as multi ...
to share updates.
Some web-based services get people together to share a social meal, even to join local families for a social dining experience while travelling, to truly experience the local culture and culinary.
There are also other social dining networks that let people do group meals at the homes of their users.
Another way to experience social dining is by visiting a
supper club.
Social dining experiences can also be a source of revenue for host that enable them through different kind of website, those can be associated to
airbnb
Airbnb, Inc. ( , an abbreviation of its original name, "Air Bed and Breakfast") is an American company operating an online marketplace for short-and-long-term homestays, experiences and services in various countries and regions. It acts as a ...
business model.
See also
*
AirDine
References
{{Reflist
Dining clubs