EPISODE 7. CULTURE OF FOOD SHARING

In Italy, the pride in traditional cooking is well known—if a dish is not made in the classic style, many Italians wouldn’t even consider it “Italian food.” Because of this, I had a preconceived notion that Italian cuisine must have some kind of special secret. However, from my experience, that “secret” often turned out to be nothing more than a simple, home-cooked “mom’s meal.” Many Italians have strong beliefs and etiquette around this idea, to the point that they may avoid ordering or even tasting a dish at another home or restaurant if it’s something their mother used to make. At first, this insistence on familiarity seemed like mere habit, but over time, I began to see it as a deep expression of affection—it even felt somewhat charming.

Each country has its own food culture. In Korea, sharing food is an important social interaction and a natural part of daily life. Because of this, adjusting to a different definition of sharing in Italy was quite difficult for me. I had to shift my perspective: eating together simply means “eating in the same space,” and it is merely a bonus if you can share a meal with a close friend. It was strange to realize that sharing food is not always considered a gesture of kindness or connection.

I still get confused sometimes, but I’m slowly getting used to it. I was raised with the belief that no matter what the food is or the situation, I should eat well, avoid rejecting food, and always be grateful. In Italy, there is less social pressure around food, but at the same time, it feels strange and even disappointing that I can’t easily share food with someone I really like.

So, what should I do if I want to invite someone I like to my home, but we’re not that close yet, and I’m not sure if they’ll enjoy my food? How can I share food naturally, like we do in Korea?

On another note, there are various theories about the Roman practice of eating and vomiting. Some claim it is a mere myth, while others argue that there are historical records of it, or that it was simply misinterpreted. However, even among modern Italian households, I have noticed that people seem to waste more food compared to the average Korean.

In Korea and China, it’s common to take home leftovers from restaurants, and once-cooked food is often stored for one to two weeks. This is not just a habit, but a tradition passed down through generations, likely shaped by historical experiences.