The Global Banquet

Welcome to the Global Banquet- Poems, stories and vision of a Global Citizen. Some restaurants have the smallest tables. Couples prefer their tables, as do individuals who enjoy their privacy. When groups of friends, work colleagues, or family members sit at a long table, they appear to have more fun. Single tables appear to be lonelier, as the diner tries to have his or her meal in silence. Loneliness and isolation are common problems in society. People feel isolated when they do not step out to interact with others, either for work or for recreation, or when they live in remote places or work from home for long periods of time. Most dining tables in homes have four to six seats, while others can seat ten to twelve people. Like the ones attached to meeting and conference rooms, in schools, universities and offices. Lunchrooms, in canteens for schools, colleges and workplaces, usually have longer tables to accommodate the staff of departments or particular working areas. I am sure an elaborate study can be done on the length and seating arrangements, as well as patterns formed around long dining tables. Prisons and military dining halls are similarly equipped with long lunch tables, as are schools and universities. This is done to enable an active interaction between the people at every table. The benefit of long tables is that people get to know other people, from different departments or sections, they would have, otherwise, not had the opportunity to meet for engaging conversations. I believe that sitting at a long table does help to encourage a sense of community, and belonging and does boost the morale of the team to a great degree. However, the opposite would also be true, being that rumours are also passed around these tables like delicious cheese. A long table brings people with their ideas, and different perspectives together to have a meal. Sharing a meal with others at a long table does help a person feel less isolated and lonely. Would you prefer to sit at a long table or still enjoy the privacy of your small table? Some of us would love to participate and eat a meal at a global banquet. At the global feast we have the opportunity to taste food from around the world, while meeting the most interesting people, as we have engaging conversations, about customs, traditions, myths, legends and everything that makes us all different, yet the same in so many human ways, as we explore the mysteries of life and our journey through this amazing experience of life.