We are living in strange times.

Last week, I was in New York City with a friend. We stood in line outside a ‘popular’ bakery for a hot cinnamon bun. It was raining, we somehow managed to get inside without getting soaked, placed our order, and looked around for a place to sit.

There was none.

I found a tiny corner near a pillar with a tiny spot to hold a plate. When our order arrived, the warm cinnamon bun was served on a paper plate, my drink came in a plastic cup, and we had to use plastic cutlery to eat focaccia bread. Imagine cutting a focaccia bread with a plastic knife, that knife was showing off its moves.. bending and dancing and cutting the bread wherever it pleased rather than where we wanted it to. All this..while also struggling to hold our bags, making sure the plate doesn’t tip and fall. Somehow we managed to finish our food and left the bakery.

To be honest, we were relieved to step outside and breathe in some fresh air.

I have no clue how the food tasted.

In the name of convenience and in the concept of saving time we seem to be losing the pleasure of eating. What happened to real plates, spoons, and knives? Why are we served food in takeaway containers, even after saying we’re here to dine-in?

Continue reading “A Prayer for Plates” →