Quote:
Originally Posted by cfg83
Wasn't it true 100+ years ago that obesity was a sign of wealth and status? If I could *afford* to eat a lot, I was showing off my wealth. That made sense in 1900 when the average lifespan was less than 45 years (no consequences!). I look at all over-consumption as extensions of the same need/POV/psychology.
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I reserve the right to be wrong, but my understanding was that the average lifespan was so low back then, not because people dropped dead at 45, but because the infant mortality rate was so horrendously high. If you made it to say 5yrs old, then barring unforeseen accidents it was likely you would live about as long as people do today.
I would have said they had a chance to live longer due to less processed foods and chemicals... though the quality of medical care if they started to go downhill probably neutralized that to a great extent.
And in an attempt to move this thread largely back on topic:
Ok, lets try this whole "on topic thing" again. (I think I can, I think I can...)
I also subscribe to the "keep it simple & get the job done" in regard to food. The idea of "watching each other eat" does seem a bit weird, though if you take time between mouth-fulls to maintain a conversation it works; also helps you not eat as fast. Also provides an excuse to get together: "lets get something to eat" is a lot more "socially acceptable" than "lets get together and talk (about ____)." I don't like the idea much myself, mainly because it inevitably involves spending more for a sit-down-meal than I would have otherwise spent (I'm perfectly capable of getting my own food and refilling my own drink glass: I don't need to pay someone else to do it).
However, eating out makes a whole lot more sense to me than going to a movie theatre with friends: why should I sit next-to, but not communicate with, friends and pay an arm and a leg to watch a movie and (not) eat overpriced popcorn? I'd much rather rent something and go to someone's house: The popcorn and drinks are cheaper, and you can
MST3K to your hearts content without annoying anyone you don't know (at least until they duct tape your mouth shut or sit on your head or the like)! Even though the whole idea of "getting together to watch TV in a group" beats the theatre by far, it's still much worse (as a social event) than a shared meal to my point of view.