Quality

Above is a photograph I took of some food before I ate it...yeah I know, just like one of those dumb fucks who always has to take a photo of their food for social media prior to eating it. I'm sure some people think I am and that's ok, it doesn't bother me in the least bit.

It's a steak, side salad, chips and a side of chargrilled broccoli which I fucken love. I ate this meal at a country pub a long way from home surrounded by...no one.

I don't mind my own company and often when I'm away for business prefer to eat alone; it gives me a chance to relax, regroup and to think as a human rather than a businessman. Having said that, I also enjoy company and sharing food with legit people around the table and every now and then spend some time with such people, a select group usually - we share good company, good food, a few drinks and a lot of laughs mostly about the old days, good and bad times...and if I took a photo of my food those fuckers would probably stab me in the neck.

The food, whilst not always anything special, always seems better due to the company; I'm of the opinion that good company makes average food great. I learned that growing up because my parents didn't have a lot to go around financially and rather than spectacular food being the focus at meal time it was about gathering together and talking, finding out how each person's day went, talking about current affairs and generally communicating like families should over the meal; we were never allowed to eat dinner in front of the television, we gathered around the dining table as a family, and that has stuck with me.

If we were all the same the world would probably be quite boring so fortunately we're all different.

We all do things differently, I'm not suggesting that sitting at the dining table eating dinner or other meals and communicating is the only way to do it, it's just my preferred way to do things in my home...others may eat in front of the television, the computer while gaming, with their phones in their faces scrolling on social media or whatever and that's ok (for them), I don't think it's ok at all though.

I think quality time with people who matter to us should be treated with respect, nurtured and encouraged - just my opinion.

I wonder, do you make meal time a family affair, a time when you all gather and chat together over food? In my household it's a special time and even though the food may not always be gourmet quality, made by a Michelin Star chef or anything other than simple fare, the time itself is quality and that's what counts. Let me know what you think in the comments below if you'd like to.