They say you can learn a lot about someone by sharing a meal together, and it’s true. Food has a way of revealing who we are. There’s something deeply telling about how a person approaches a plate—whether they savor it with abandon or pick at it with self-conscious restraint.

If your dining companion is uptight about a little sauce on their chin or too worried about appearances to enjoy themselves, it speaks volumes. Food, like life, is meant to be savored, not tiptoed around. A date who orders what they really want and dives in without hesitation? That’s someone comfortable in their own skin—a rare and magnetic quality. It wasn’t about being polite or perfect—it was about being present. It’s not just the food that’s appealing—it’s the confidence and open-mindedness that shine through.

A great dinner date isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about the joy of sharing a meal, exploring flavors, and connecting. Maybe you try something new, laugh when the beurre blanc drips, and lean into the experience, curry breath and all. That’s the beauty of it—the intimacy of choosing to be fully present, with someone you’re genuinely curious about.

So, for your next date, eat light during the day and save room for the good stuff. Order boldly, enjoy shamelessly, and forget the rules about what’s “appropriate.” A shared meal is about more than food—it’s about showing up as your truest self. And honestly, there’s nothing more attractive than that.

Of course, I write this on the first day of Clean January.