Food as an Icebreaker : The Impact of Social Eating on Freezing Body Movements in Natural Conversations

Abstract

Social eating, a ubiquitous activity encompassing family dinners, workplace lunches, and public canteens, profoundly influences social dynamics, yet its behavioural implications remain underexplored. This study examines how eating with others shapes social interactions by analysing body movement patterns in eating and non-eating conditions across contexts with varying levels of conversational tension. Social eating was found to significantly reduce the frequency, duration, and contagiousness of motion-freezing episodes – key indicators of social tension – even after accounting for eating-related movements. Crucially, the reduced contagiousness of motion freezing suggests that social eating may act as an inoculation mechanism, mitigating stress-related behavioural alignment and promoting positive social dynamics. These findings emphasise the distinctive role of social eating in promoting smoother interactions and creating a relaxed social atmosphere. By extending its significance beyond nutrition, this research highlights the deeply social nature of eating and its essential role in alleviating tension and fostering social relationships.