Eating out is an emotional matter

Hanna Helder studied German language and literature at the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg. In addition to her studies, she has gained a lot of experience in radio and print journalism through internships and freelance work. She has been at the Burda School of Journalism since October 2018 and writes, among other things, as a trainee for

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

Longing for pizza and pasta at Italians or sushi from professionals: For weeks in the corona pandemic, it was not possible to eat in a restaurant. Now the first are opening their doors again. Scientists explain: The fact that we like to eat out so much not only has something to do with the delicious food.

It is very understandable that people were now looking forward to eating out and felt a relief, said the nutritionist Christine Brombach from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. "You want to participate in public life again, and that includes going out to eat." Eating in community is a deeply human need.

"A highlight in everyday life."

According to the scientist, eating out meets various human needs: "Eating is highly emotional and always a social matter," she said. Eating in a restaurant has an outstanding position: "Eating out is something special and a highlight in everyday life."

Gradual openings

Restaurants and pubs were closed in mid-March to prevent the corona virus from spreading. In compliance with distance rules and hygiene regulations, the gastronomy is now allowed to reopen gradually, against the background of the respective infection process in the countries and country-specific peculiarities.

Eating becomes an experience

A visit to a restaurant is an overall experience due to the semi-public, the special crockery and cutlery and acoustic stimuli such as the clinking of glasses from the next table. And conversations at the table are also different from those at the dining table at home. In addition, you can taste and try out new things more than at home, and eating becomes an experience.

Although the food itself is also important, the physical and social components of eating out are at least as important. "Eating in a restaurant has different levels, it is a sensual, holistic experience," said Brombach. Furthermore, going to a restaurant relieves you of having to cook yourself.

"You feel a bit like a king"

"In the restaurant you are served, you feel a bit like a king," explained the nutritional psychologist Christoph Klotter from the Fulda University of Applied Sciences. That increases self-esteem. In addition, Klotter believes that you are staging yourself in public in a restaurant. "We're always looking for that special meal, not just since Instagram," said the scientist.

"If we don't have that, we feel isolated." According to Klotter, eating is the most social event. "Throughout human history, groups define themselves by eating together." (hh / dpa)

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