Let’s say you’re at home by yourself and you’re about to enjoy a meal alone. Would you say 「いただきます！」out loud before partaking even though there’s no one there to hear you say it？ I always do without fail.
This subject came up in a conversation with my brother and he thought I was totally batshit crazy.
Just curious what other people do.
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I know many Japanese people who do this. I don’t personally but I also don’t think it’s weird
I asked my Japanese sensei this exact question once and he said he does too!
It’s almost what one says to the universe for producing food, so a lot of Japanese do say いただきます alone. I sometimes forget to say it and feel guilty.
Kodoku no Gourmet (Japanese: 孤独のグルメ）gives you a perfect demonstration. The protagonist always eats alone, and he says it every time.
I grew up in the US, and I have family members who have described saying grace even when they’re alone. Not too dissimilar.
On a similar note, I live alone but for whatever reason I’ll say ただいま！ to no one really in particular whenever I come home to my empty apartment lol.
If I am in a good mood for some reason I might say いただきます. However I unconsciously say こわい out loud when I am frightened for some reason.
if i’d be in Japanese speaking environment , i’d do that probably . as is , i did it a few time for fun . also did some 「かんぱい」’ng alone on a rare important occasion
I, as a native Japanese speaker myself, don’t say that. It’s just because i can’t be bothered
I’ve seen and heard a lot of people do this actually so I don’t think it’s weird. might just be a preference or habit thing?