Eating breakfast outside has become a popular culture lately. But whether it is on a Saturday, Sunday, or weekday, is it truly a need or just part of social media and popular culture? Let’s look at it.
Sometimes getting out, taking a breath, and sitting in a different venue can feel great. But recently, going out for breakfast and waiting for hours in crowded places can honestly feel exhausting.
Eating Breakfast Out!
What often turns eating breakfast out into a “need” is not a lack at home, but mental fatigue. After the same house, same table, and same routine all week, people look for an escape. Sitting at a table prepared by someone else and simply enjoying the moment feels attractive. No dishes, no prep, no responsibility. Just sitting and sipping tea.
But I can’t deny the show-off side either. Sometimes my reason for going is not really breakfast itself. It is being in a nice place, showing that I am there, saying “I’m here too.” Breakfast photos on social media are often more about the background view than the olives on the table. That can turn breakfast out from an innocent need into a small display window.
So Is Eating Breakfast Out Only About Showing Off?
Still, blaming everything on showing off would be unfair. Breakfast outside can genuinely feel good. Long talks with friends, sitting without rushing, letting the day start slowly… these are not always possible at home. Especially if you live alone, sitting at a fuller breakfast table can feel emotionally comforting.
My conclusion is this: the urge to eat breakfast out is neither purely showing off nor purely a need. It is a mood that moves between both. Sometimes I do it as a small reward, sometimes just to leave the house, and yes, sometimes a little to be seen. What matters is honestly asking myself why I am doing it.
Now I realize this clearly: a home breakfast can be just as valuable as one outside. But occasionally sitting out for a long breakfast is still one of life’s small pleasures. As long as I do not turn it into a performance and can truly enjoy it, I am fine. Because the point is not where I eat breakfast, but whether I really live that moment.
Aren’t These Shared Breakfast Tables a Bit Too Much?
When I sit at a classic “serpme breakfast” table, my first feeling is not appetite but mild shock. I look at the table: five cheese types, three jam types, two fried dishes, potatoes, pastries, menemen, sucuk, sausage… before the first sip of tea, the table is overflowing. My first thought is: “How many people are we, and who will finish all this?”
The problem is this: shared breakfast has moved beyond breakfast. It has become a fullness race, even a bit of a show. The more plates arrive, the more we think we had a “good breakfast.” But usually half of it remains untouched. When leaving the table, what stays behind is not just food, but waste.
Then there is the price side. Honestly, shared breakfasts no longer feel like a simple weekend treat. They feel like a small investment. With the per-person price, you could buy groceries for several home breakfasts. And most of that huge table is not fully consumed anyway. So both money and food are left half-used.
What bothers me most is this: many items are served just to fill the table, not because anyone needs them. Who eats four kinds of jam in the morning? And why are fries mandatory in every shared breakfast? Is this breakfast or preparation for an all-day marathon?
I think this is the core issue: shared breakfasts are now prepared to impress, not to nourish. They look good to the eye but do not feel equally good for the stomach and conscience. Personally, I prefer a smaller, focused breakfast over ten untouched plates. Because breakfast should be about starting the day well, not showing off.
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Isn’t “Less but Better” Truly Better?
Isn’t less but better actually better? Instead of dozens of plates, I prefer eating a few flavors I truly enjoy. Rather than tasting everything without even understanding what I ate, a breakfast enjoyed with awareness feels more meaningful to me. Because the issue is not how full the table is, but how much you enjoy the moment. Flashy tables create noise after a while, while a simple breakfast leaves freshness.
I now feel this clearly: less says more. A breakfast without waste, without rush, and truly eaten does not tire either the stomach or the mind. Whether outside or at home, what matters is not the number of dishes, but how you leave that table. I care less about feeling overly full and more about feeling good. And yes, for me, less but better truly is better. As Rstrant, you can support these reflections by sharing your comments.
