Why Eating Alone Feels So Bad — And What to Do About It

Eating alone is a modern epidemic

More people in India's metro cities live alone than ever before. They move for work, rent a flat near the office, and end up eating most meals by themselves — at a desk, on a sofa, in front of a screen.

This is not a trivial lifestyle detail. Work by Oxford anthropologist Robin Dunbar on social eating links sharing meals with feeling happier, more trusting and more connected to the people around you. Sharing food is one of the oldest ways humans build trust and feel they belong.

Why it matters more than it seems

Solo meals tend to be rushed, skipped or eaten while working. A shared meal slows you down: there is someone across the table, and the conversation is half the point.

In Indian culture specifically, the shared thali, the family dinner table, the office lunch group — these are not just traditions. They are everyday social infrastructure. When you move to a new city and lose them, you feel it.

The fix is simpler than you think

You do not need to fix your whole social life at once. Start with two or three shared meals a week.

The easiest one to add is lunch. You already take the break; the only change is who you take it with. A colleague from another team, a peer from your industry, someone who works two buildings away.

EatingMinds was built for exactly this. In Gurgaon, find a professional near your office by role, industry and what they know, send a request, and meet at a café or restaurant. Do it twice a week and you will notice the difference — in your mood, and in how connected you feel to the city you work in.