Food and sociability on the contemporary Brazilian plate

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between food and sociability. Although this is a theme often approached in Anthropology, the true role of food in this relationship is seldom made explicit. Based on three different empirical researches, the article identifies the kind of sociability that is established in each meal in accordance with the day of the week, indicating for each case the degree of relevance assumed by food itself. Following the daily sequence of the different meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner –, the data presented allows for the discussion of the definition of sociability as developed by Simmel and its application to the context of Brazilian society.