Eating Together: A Small Collective Moment in China

One of the most curious stories I experienced in China last year happened in Changzhou. 

I was alone, looking for lunch, and walked into a small, simple restaurant near my hotel. It looked like a family-owned place. The lady who was working there was very kink, when I asked for a noodle soup without chili, she carefully prepared it just for me. 

As I sat eating and watching the street outside, a group of elderly cyclist arrived. They were wearing helmets and sport clothes, and looked very happy. They started discussing the menu with a lot of energy. What caught my attention was that they didn't choose their food individually, they were trying to decide together. 

One wanted one thing, another wanted something else, but they didn't just order separately. It was like they had made a deal, they would all eat the same thing. Then, one of them looked at me, saw what I was eating and said to the others: 

"Let's order what the foreigner is having" 

I laughed. I wondered if they would like the dish. They smiled, asked questions. That moment became a connection. Somehow, I was part of their group. Not in a big way, but enough to feel included. 

This made me think about how collectivity in China doesn't only appear in big, organized events, like public exercises or people moving in perfect sync. Sometimes, it shows up in small, everyday situations, like choosing food or inviting someone new without saying a word. 

I went into that restaurant alone, but finished my meal feeling like I was part of something. 

And that small detail changed everything. :)