Recently, my associate and I were conducting the third of five foundational sessions of intercultural training. We asked participants to bring some food. There was cheese and crackers, peach crisp and whipped cream, Scandinavian cookies, squid salad, sashimi (raw fish), Taiwanese sausage, and Korean Kimchi (Spicy fermented cabbage). Everyone tried everything. The raw fish and kimchi was approached with a bit of trepidation. Some chopsticks nervously approached the sashimi. As kimchi loomed closer to the mouth, the strong smell gave pause to the wary diner.

Whoever desires intercultural community will be confronted with food from other cultures that will offend one’s palate. The theme of this third session was “Acceptance.” Acceptance is crucial in building intercultural relationships. Core to a people’s identity is their food. Rejecting their food is rejecting them—who they are.

As my associate (Jon) was addressing acceptance based on Acts 15, I reflected on some of my relationships with people from different parts of the world. I realized that most (if not all) relationships were cultivated around food. I thought about many of my friends in America, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ireland, Bolivia and many other countries. Clearly and undeniably eating together nurtured these relationships—not business meetings, not board meetings.

Just as “a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” a way to intercultural community is through eating together. Coming together to eat with no agenda and an attitude of acceptance cultivates lasting relationships.