Do you see cooking as a demeaning chore or a way to share a warm and loving connection?

[DishLady]

I love cooking. Some stuff is fancy, other stuff is just basic. I've been cooking/helping in the kitchen since I was old enough to hold a string bean in my hand. It was a natural part of being in a joyful multigenerational home, a shared moment of loving bonding with the women who were my moral and spiritual guides since Day1. It's a daily gift to fall back and infuse balance to a hectic life.

I share it with others as a sign of affection. For example, I was chatting with my sweetie while baking a cake. Rather than just saying, "Shove off, love, I'm busy," and treating cooking as a chore I asked him to join in. He read off the ingredients while I did the hands-on prep. It was a way to stay connected while I was working... and a way to help him feel like a part of my little world.

Apparently today this sort of thing is lost to lots of people. They don't learn to so much as make toast or offer to help set the table and create a lovely ambiance to share the meal being prepared for them.

It just sounds so odd and inhuman to me. As human beings we're naturally drawn to making connections... to enjoying the warm, loving moments and traditions with others in our lives. What's happened? :(

Now DON'T go blaming feminism... I'm an old-school feminist and believe in equality for all, but MEALS = SHARING = A DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE & CARING...

In the kitchen that would just mean that one person does one thing and the other (at least politely) volunteers to do another thing so that you're jointly preparing for the meal you're about to share. Simple, right?

For those who sit like a bump on a log while someone else prepares your meals, next time they're doing this for you, offer to pitch in by setting the table... or bring flowers for the table before you head over. Don't just sit and eat like some animal at the trough. SHARE the task on some level. You'll see how much nicer the experience becomes, how much more appreciated your "personal chef" feels, etc.

[OlderAndWiser]

I enjoy cooking and use it as a creative outlet, but Ms. Helen does most of the cooking because she prefers adding her Chinese touch to everything. She cooks and cleans the kitchen and I do the remainder of the household chores. But I will prepare the Thanksgiving dinner when we have the family over for their first visit to our new home.

[DishLady]

Holiday cooking is my fave. A lot of family recipes. But I do love cooking in general… and equally dislike eating alone.

[OlderAndWiser]

I almost never cook for myself, except for an occasional breakfast. Yes, holiday cooking is the best, making everything come together. And my roast turkey is s masterpiece cooked in cheesecloth!

[HawkPerception]

I enjoy cooking when I'm cooking for an occasion, a group, or trying a recipe. But otherwise, most of the time, it's just using whatever I have in the pantry and trying to make something with it, which isn't that fun. Most of the time, it's honestly a chore. Demeaning though? Definitely not.

But I definitely do enjoy cooking for my partner and having them like it.

[nastyb]

how does cooking show love?

if you want to show connection, you show that you make sacrifices for the person.

Sacrificing yourself for someone else will beat cooking any day

But its just that people nowadays are too selfish to sacrifice their own happiness for others

[Anonymous]

You are lucky to have grown up in a home where you learned to cook from your family. I didn't have that so I don't really know how to cook. I want to learn so I can show my love for my future family.

[ohsheeT]

Well im single so I look at it as a way to eat good and healthy. And if course when not single its a good place to kiss on the back of her neck. Or pin up against the wall pick her up front the back of her knees lift her up and then hold her against the wall with only your hips and as she's telling you to stop and laughing relise your hips slowly and let her slide down your body in slow motion

[Spencer10]

Cooking is never demeaning in my opinion. It is a fantastic way to connect with people and show you care about them. Making a meal together can also be a fantastic way to have a shared experience. I have also found that conversation while preparing a meal seems easier... not sure why. Maybe its the Chef's wine? lol

[XXTruthfulOgrexx]

Most have no idea how to cook. They open a box drop it in a pan and calling it cooking. It can be used as great way to bond. The main problem is we have moved from a WE mindset including in most relations to a ME mindset. That is the overall problem

[jshm2]

Neither.

It's a necessary life skill that all should have learned, at least to a basic level, before they are teens.

Think about it. After sleeping - eating is the most inalienable act everyone needs to engage in on a daily basis to live a healthy life.

We have people spending time doing all sorts of shit every day, excepts learning how to feed themselves properly.

[slatyb]

I'm slow to get started cooking, but once I do start I'm happy to do it, and happiest to put food in front of my friends and loved ones.

[Dongie]

Yeah, I enjoy cooking. My mom and both grandmas were very good and moms mom worked in a restaurant cooking. I've been experimenting with recipes since age 9. I have two renters, both females who don't like to cook or do dishes. Ehh, go figure!

But I cook 3 or 4 nights a week. Usually one or both are in and out and there are friends who hang around while I'm cooking. Most DO offer to help and I'll let them peel potatoes or carrots if I'm using them. Like yesterday I was in there from 2

[Dongie]

(why does it cut off)

... till nearly 8 pm cleaning and cooking the roast I prepared for supper.

[exitseven]

It is really not a demeaning chore. It is something that comes with a built in reward. After you are done, you get to eat the final product.

[ErebusD]

I hate cooking so much that I would rather have a glass of milk and bread but I would cook for you if I care about you so to me it's a way of sharing a warm connection

[SixFootSexy]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGKT5RvyBTE

Well you seem to get it, @DishLady

[Aakash_Hangargi]

Cooking is a demanding chore , to think of what to cook and what will be the next meal and not being repetative dish takes a lot of thought.

Aftermath of cooking is the worst part to clean the utensils and the dishes.

[BarryLiverstone]

Cooking is a skill and highly appreciated in a family and community.

[MannMitAntworten]

I keep hearing rumors of some women who cook for or with their men. So far in my lifetime it has remained a historical pastime that passed with the World War II generation of women.

[UpaRupa]

I like cooking, I have a big griddle a lot you can make on it so its a bit creative and clean up is easy for the most part. big enough that multiple people can use it at the same time. I don't see anything demeaning about it.

[bobalife]

In a way yes to both lol. I don’t like cooking, but I do enjoy baking more for myself and others.

[thegreenyogi]

I see it as a ritual. Even better if done in company.

[worldscolide]

The second one.. It's sharing warmth, survival. My wife and I cook for each other, and cook together.

[SunnyCaliGirl]

For me cooking is a way to show love and spread connection

[dougeats]

I cook with love & passion for my family and friends

[Xawyx-2]

I actually like cooking.

[Anonymous]

As a way of feeding myself when I'm hungry

[Fireguy17]

I like to cook.