You’d assume that a school cafeteria and a dining room in someone’s own home would be entirely different places when you first think of it. One is chaotic and wild, while one is quiet and familiar. But the more I think about it, they’re both two sides of the same coin; they’re both made to be eaten in, but the expectations and the environment surrounding it are entirely different.

The most glaring similarity between the two would be they’re both made with the primary purpose to be eaten in. Despite the fact that they’re made for the exact same purpose the way that they’re both treated is entirely different; a lot of the differences between the two come from that.

The atmosphere of a cafeteria is one of the most charming parts about it; it’s one of the few places where I feel that the chaos of it is orderly. One of the main factors into the strange environment is how many people are talking over each other. In the first week or so the cafeteria is the most chaotic; everyone’s trying to find a table to sit at with their friends, but after that initial stage it falls into a sense of normalcy. Even if tables aren’t assigned, everyone knows where their group sits. In my entire high school experience I’ve only ever had my friend group move tables after the first week once. If you aren’t accustomed to the volume of a cafeteria it can also add to the chaotic nature of it, but personally I find the whole space charming and filled with good memories.

On the other side of the spectrum, the dining room is quite calm and quiet. The food is far higher quality as well which in my opinion is the biggest difference, it creates a catalyst for different reactions and conversations. In both locations you assume something different about the food before you even see it, when I eat at home I assume the food is going to be good or at least okay, but at school oftentimes you should operate on a guilty until proven innocent.

In all honesty in high school I don’t think the food is that bad, but when it’s bad it may be the worst thing you’ve ever tasted.

Another difference to take into account is the actual environment. At school, lunch is the place you go for a break from your classes and work but at home you go to your room or the living room, I think this is super important to consider because that changes how people treat that time.