The Lunch Date

a study of perceptions

[@danriley64]

I wish at the end it showed the man from the diner on the train, "Some crazy old white lady ate my salad"

[@ozhinz]

lmao same

[@abdullahabikharazeh9671]

@@ozhinz lmao same

[@ozhinz]

@@abdullahabikharazeh9671 lmao same

[@SirButtaBrown]

Right because if you would’ve asked her, she would love went back and forth that - that was her salad 🥗 and then he brought her a drink after. She didn’t even say goodbye 👀🤣!

[@demetriussherman476]

@@SirButtaBrown He thought she was a mentally ill person that was hungry, pitied her, and let her eat and drink. But she had no sympathy for the real mentally ill and hungry around her--even when she got a sample of hunger. She never changed..

[@bksimon]

This was a student film that ended up winning an Oscar!

[@rodrigoaranda7749]

and a Cannes Palm d' Or!

[@skeledaddy]

What I love about this film is that the man reaches back for the salt - and most likely sees her salad, or at least her bags and could probably infer the mistake she'd made. I grin when that happens. Adorable.

[@SirButtaBrown]

But from the look on his face, he was just happy to be eating with someone 😁.

[@missaelmorales3059]

Some might miss that the first time

[@DeadManRunning1]

Just cuz it's fun to nerd out to this stuff...on a decade old comment... He gives no indication that he saw the bags or salad. Face doesn't change even a little bit to acknowledge it for the audience. The slightest grin would have done it. But no. If he DID see, then it would take away from the punch near the end when she just leaves him there without a backward glance. I think the salt grab was to add insult to injury from the lady's perspective. "I'm watching him eat MY salad and now he's literally salting it??" Like, eat salt, lady!

[@sahilbalhara2155]

She uses the same napkin on the fork, which was used to clean the table...

[@lizbarajas6979]

I thiught i wastge only one who caught that hahaha

[@ayusalgaonkar450]

Exactly what I was thinking 😆

[@jockejocke1]

Same here.

[@moongirls8313]

I noticed that too XD

[@mlthewi1287]

And that's why the Universe prevented her from using it on the salad!

[@quinnmaloywilliams3196]

Dos anyone notice that she still walks past the last man asking for help. Despite her realizing that she was the one that made the error. She dos not change but merely laughs at her good fortune. Thats the world we live in, passive until affected and then passive again.

[@brendanfoehr5086]

She's out of money, remember? She looks wealthy, but she spent her money shopping, and every last cent she had on the salad. By the end, she looks like every other rich New Yorker walking past the guy, but we in the audience know differently. It's an intentional reiteration of the point about our perceptions of others.

[@lordblazer]

and because she looks wealthy (white) that means police are less likely to harass her, and people will be more pleasant towards you in passing.

[@simsyas18]

Quinn Maloy Williams yes, and she could’ve merely acknowledged him. How quickly we forget... She could’ve said “I just left a salad on the table in the cafe”, or “I don’t have any money.”. A better person would’ve thought back to how someone just let her eat off their plate, essentially impose on him. He didn’t stick her in her hand with the fork, because that’s always a possibility when food is involved 🤷🏽‍♀️, and he bought her a coffee afterwards. His kindness goes without acknowledgement, & her privilege never being checked is still very much a problem.

[@alhajisesayofficial]

Good point! I felt like this film was pretty racist.

[@yaboitolow580]

Alhaji Sesay lmao what?? Where

[@hunterElon_MARZ]

Here for English class anyone, i know i am

[@Serbrethren]

Writing a timed write on it right now.

[@LuisGarcia-bw2kp]

psycology class

[@chips6475]

Yeah...

[@boose8089]

Film production class

[@Flklarity]

here for a film class lmao

[@SomebodyPickaName]

I love the way he barks at her when she tries to take his salad, LOL! Just that reaction made me laugh out loud, and I had to go back and watch it again. So awesome.

[@anomarpye7385]

I don't know abt laughing at the barking part ... but I am inclined to watch the film again w/ my hubs ...

[@brenarowe69]

It was funny

[@anxhelac604]

DBAHAHAHAB IT WAS SO FUNNY

[@zohaibali8959]

Me too 😂😁😂

[@mathiusq9128]

that was violent

[@alexandertalex3454]

I love how the man grabs the salt off the table the woman's salad was on without telling the woman.

[@zach9320]

Maybe hoping to teach her a lesson perhaps.

[@lazarus8018]

Someone else said he was glad to have the company.

[@01stefb1]

How did he know it was her salad?

[@layoutzz]

And he shared his lunch with her as any gentleman would. I love this film and have been looking for it for over 20 years. Thanks for posting it-it's truly a gem.

[@haqq17]

so she took the wrong seat, stole his lunch,and still he bought her coffee. touching

[@StamfordBridge]

I love the restrained ending -- no reunion, just her thoughts as she boards the train back to what is probably the 'safety' of Connecticut suburbs.

[@DrummyNUT]

Is it legal in CT to shoot homeless people who steal your stuff?

[@StamfordBridge]

oicu812a I don't get your point.

[@DrummyNUT]

***** No point. Just a question. If you don't know, that's fine.

[@StamfordBridge]

oicu812a I lived in CT for a decade, actually. I suspect you think your rhetorical question has a clever point to it, and I suspect you think being coy in response is cleverer still, but I also suspect your intended point (whatever it is, exactly) is based on an odd misunderstanding of the point of my original post. I also see in your post below that you seem confused by this film in general, so maybe that's the source of the confusion here. I'll be pleased if my suspicions are wrong.

[@DrummyNUT]

***** Okay. So you _don't_ know the answer. Perhaps, therefore, you were right (safe?) to put the word _safety_ in scare-quotes.

[@MrBTRDAYZ]

She probably got up feeling that she didn't have to thank him, since it was "her" salad in the first place, and he was probably shaking his head because after sharing his food (off his plate no less) with a stranger, AND buying her something to drink, she didn't even have the decency to say "thank you" before leaving. LOL! Wonderful film!

[@nhuha9705]

Co ấy ko cảm ơn vì cô ấy tưởng a ta cướp món salat của co ấy mà😂

[@omirosv]

A wonderful little film! I knew from the start that she was sitting on the wrong table cause her bags were missing, but as the plot progressed I was surprised by the characters' reactions to each other. I was disappointed at the end because I am not sure if she changed at all (she didn't thank him properly and didn't even look at the beggar, or give him money - but she lost her purse didn't she?). But her sigh at the end gave me hope for her to change her prejudices. Brilliant!

[@octocoffee]

I'm seriously impressed with the ambiguity about the film. Huge props to the man for his kindness, to put up with a woman like that. I definitely find it disheartening that she just breezes by the man in the end asking for change though at 08:35. It doesn't seem like she learned a thing, which I guess is to actually realistic. The social commentary is wicked intense here, packed for just ten minutes.

[@medukameguca8529]

Thank you for posting this. I needed to watch it to help my daughter with her journalism homework, but it really was a touching video...and so true of the way people are perceived.

[@nunusworld9914]

This short film really touched me. This just shows there are still some good people in this world of all colors. I can't say what I would have done because I honesty don't know☺️, but it was very kind of him to share his lunch with her.

[@odesso2556]

the only video that i watched for school that I will ever give a thumbs up, the homeless dude is so adorable

[@Moriri323]

I love this short film! This film perfectly shows a change of this lady whithin 10 minutes. The story is complete.

[@TheBlackMambaStrike]

This teahes you to not be stereotype. You thought she was rich but she had trouble buying a 3 dollar salad. You assumed the guy stole her salad and her bags, because he was eating 'her' salad.

[@iNinjaWalker]

I've seen and heard many stories about bias, prejudice and stereotypes, especially the kind told in this video. But somehow I never predicted the ending from this short film, even though it is a common story, that was a nice surprise.

[@RachelDeRosier010894]

Oh, NOW I get the ending, thanks! Anyway, that was really cute and sweet. I loved it a lot. :)

[@dh1163]

Not exactly... Some things you can accept at face value: She's carrying a Bloomingdales bag and wearing fur . That is by design, to contrast socioeconomic status between her character and others. When she realizes she lost her wallet, it removes a source of strength and comfort for her --- money --- and further puts her out of her element.

[@angieleoh7235]

lol I knew that he wasn't eating her salad because her bags weren't on the table, and the reason that she didn't have much money left is because she spent it all at Bloomingdales and wherever else she went shopping.

[@ZIMINFILMS]

@Gold Rose самый верный ответ

[@jaimecarrillo2250]

I remember watching this when I was in grade school. I’ve searched for it several times and am so happy I finally found it again.

[@classicvideogoodies]

"The Lunch Date" was released on DVD, part of a collection of shorts called "Cinema 16 - American Short Films." But the DVD is expensive now.

[@engelsgarcia2976]

Thank you for info. I watched this documentary in my English class when I was in college. I hope I can find this DVD.

[@kamaneeify]

this is an adaptation from one of my favourite douglas adams books: the long dark tea-time of the soul, where Dirk Gently thinks another man has taken his rich tea biscuits. Look it up and read it it. Beautifully told here too.

[@bepamprd]

We watched this video during my foster care training, the point was to have you STOP and learn the whole story before you pass judgement, or in our case before you punish a child for something that is wrong.

[@sfsindee]

Massive thanks for uploading this. I hadn't seen this in ages and always thought it was called "Coffee for Two". Thankfully I noticed it listed at the UNLV Short Film archive and immediately did a search here. Love this film.

[@asabee1055]

my teacher showed us this and at the beginning of the video he asked us who we’d sit beside on a bus. he asked it again at the end... you wouldn’t believe the change in answers.

[@27waterfrog]

I saw this years ago and have never forgotton . I love this short movie. I never saw it in college , but It is great!!!!

[@vanagio2619]

she left her own salad at the table behind him in the same position she left it. it was him sharing his own salad and drink with her. she didnt bother to look where her original seat was.

[@pavmx703]

Thank you! I was sitting here thinking he was Jesus or some shit.

[@lyndraski4152]

I didn't get it either until about a minute after I watched it.

[@IVAN3000]

ur a genius

[@atg2270]

I also watched until 8 minutes in.....

[@whenraindropsfall]

oh really Sherlock

[@cutekittenkuteeyy4936]

This is the best short film ever!

[@ODDGIRLINVIDEOS]

8:00 moment where we realize it's about perception and not racism. This was brilliant!

[@securitybureauagent3714]

it is 100% also about racism, the lady is racist

[@sissijuan6293]

What a exceptional movie! I've watched it once longtime ago when I was little and always remember it. So happy to find the video so I can share with friends. Thank you!

[@EmilyADavis-kq8el]

I watched this with my class in the sixths grade, makes me feel so good after seeing it again. If you really take the time to go through it you can learn a lot from it.

[@clintonkim5075]

0:50 I think he is the same person who shares his salad with the lady. 5:28 6:02 I like the way the cashier looks at them.

[@gewright48]

This was a heartwarming short. I thought it was going to end with a racial issue, but it ended with putting a smile on your face.

[@WhatisReal11]

School systems are trying to make it racial

[@harrynussdorf3998]

Amazing! Must be seen. An important lesson.

[@INDIANARMY-le4vg]

🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 Who is here after... Bollywood silver screen...

[@subham9835]

Mai

[@ashishpatel6305]

Me ☺

[@Aslaug75]

What a beautiful little film. A friend of mine told me about it on the bus today. He said ... it had told him something about prejudice and preconceptions. Remarkable.

[@BrookeFolk]

It is very rare indeed that I post follow ups, but as a short story writer, I've been asked to write a script for a video short story and this was given as a sample. The very touching story not only was unique, The coffee cups shown are antiques from the 50's and 60's era of cafeteria amenities and I have two and I cherish them for the memories they hold dear being used by my grandmother. While watching this, I happened to be sipping cold coffee out of the exact cups the actors are using. Ironic and Iconic for me. Brooke, a top seller short story writer on fiverr, radio host and newspaper columnist and freelance writer.

[@DEATHxxFROMExxABOVE]

im 21, ive teared up with certain really emotional moments in life, but for some reason this made me ball.... its a fictional film but I'm more than positive it has happened somewhere in this world before in real life!

[@tomasruckett]

*bawl

[@anomarpye7385]

lol ... it's ok ... give the man a break ... after all, he's a baller *wink wink*

[@coachd1433]

Quinn -- comment below this one -- yes, that is the message from the film maker -- we live in a tough world. Entitled rich people don't learn from their mistakes. Note how many people reached out to assist her (the guy who tried to help her collect her things when she dropped them -- he was in a suit and tie, but he was black and she wanted nothing to do with him). This is a decent story/film but it has a strong message, very cynical as well.

[@JLW667]

Fantastic Short Film! My brother showed me this film and now I'm looking at it again and it's just fantastic!!!

[@TimelineProvision]

Very good short. but the part where he puts his hand over to grab the salt had me thinking if she was sitting at the wrong table because originally I thought he was gonna pass her the salad she left on the table. but it was executed well though

[@raminfarahani4648]

Wonderful film. So touching when he returns with two coffees.

[@Mr_Xzanders]

One of the best short movies EVER!

[@percfiend6662]

🎪

[@FlippFlipps]

amazing how such a simple/short film can be so uplifting, and was that Artie Shaw Soundtrack NICE one!

[@SummaSummaTime_]

This was so good ! Made me smile and laugh.

[@Fire-Manz]

This was Great, Art in it's finest form! This women had no sense of Prejudice nor racism, and not only she kept quiet (and in her mind) share her salad with this man who stole her salad. Then she goes to get her train that she missed the last time, but forgets her bags. Goes back and found out she was at the wrong table the whole time! Not only she found her salad, she made a bond with this kind man ... This is true everyday art as it used to be ... ah Good times ... good times.

[@joannehuxtable5400]

Wow, wow, wow, what a piece!! This is outstanding!!!! On a scale of 1-10, the chances of me doing something like this lady did in the video are 11! I can soooo relate to her. I also love that he knows she is in the wrong seat but respectfully keeps quiet. Brilliant!!

[@dingbatkilla]

She didn't even bother to look for her bags in the first place, I guess when you're hungry you just don't care about anything else. =)

[@beatriceingraham2571]

the point of the movie is to prove that people shouldn't judge others based off of how they look and how they are dressed. she looked like a wealthy white woman even though she had issues buying a $2 salad. for all we know, her clothes could've came from a dumpster. it's like the saying goes "never judge a book by it's cover"

[@3dprintingpro212]

@@beatriceingraham2571 umm, her wallet got stolen by the well-dressed black man, that's why she was frantically searching for it, then cried. That's why she had no money for the salad...thus the irony of the homeless balck man NOT stealing from her, but instead treating her to coffee with his own money. This is not just about race but also class conceptions

[@beatriceingraham2571]

@@3dprintingpro212 where did I mention it being about race?

[@3dprintingpro212]

@@beatriceingraham2571 You didn't but it is about race :) and class, and preconceptions - but most people seem to miss that she got her wallet stolen - she IS wealthy - just she got pickpocketed that's why she cries...

[@WhatisReal11]

He didn’t bother to simply state; you in wrong seat lady? She could have dementia. This video is for morons

[@johnnyroc]

This short couldn't get into a single festival until a certain someone stumbled on it and got it into the hands of Cannes programmers. Eventually it picked up an Oscar. A great example how a film with a very strong script can work despite mediocre direction and performances.

[@ThePhrozenPhoenix]

“Mediocre directing and performances”? Um, did you watch a different film?

[@fazergazer]

I first saw this film 20 years ago. Used to think "I wish all Americans...heck, everyone out there...could watch this"... now they can, provided they have a computer or access to one. Lets keep our minds and libraries 'open'.

[@steliosieronymakis2480]

4:21 He barks at her when she tries to take his salad. 4:31 He could infer the mistake she made. 8:33 She still walks past the last man asking for help.8:51 Her sigh in the end gave hope to change her prejudices.3:33 She uses the same napkin on the fork, which was used to clean the table.

[@Foxy-my7nk]

this comment is actually so helpful for my school assignment. Thank you

[@writingdoll]

Excellent film... We have such prejudices. Each one of us is perhaps guilty of such assumptions. A must watch film....

[@bjmortie]

The song on the soundtrack is "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" by Jule Styne. And I love the message of this movie.

[@marzihaghighi6840]

It was a very interesting video and it shows that the guy liked to have company as he knew that the lady is mistaking the salad, but let her be with that mistake and treated her for coffee as well.

[@govindarajulu-kasturi9614]

Wonderfully conceived and shot Salutations to the team God Bless Kasturi G

[@alalbavincerovincero]

It's not merely about being "dumb", she was answering to situations according to the predjudices sowed in her mind for generations. Everyone has predjudices, the wisdom is to overcome them. Thinking she's merely "dumb" is a predjudice as well.

[@pirategloria]

i love this short film. I saw it on a field trip and fwll in love with it ever sice then. I think everyone should watch this its a good film, and balck and white just makes it better.

[@pauldiedrich579]

very good Clip

[@donedismad1300]

No

[@wangyalsherpa750]

Merry Xmas! A thought well conceived. :)

[@michelrojas7397]

Our teacher made us watch this is the 4th grade and I still remember it. Loved it then, loved it now haha! The lesson stayed with me

[@israab79]

Smart teacher

[@palmeraniian]

Lol I saw a ripped off version of this on instagram, and someone commented this video. I pull a salad to eat while I watch this for the first time, lol then they get there salads out. Kinda felt like I was a bystander watching this haha. Very pleasant video thought

[@Run4Life122]

I LOVE this short! Ahhhh

[@acouplesjourney3894]

The music at 6.19 is a treat to the ears.

[@ehbui]

I like the female character. She is cute. Both main characters are sweet in their own way. Has it occurred to anyone that most of the characters she interacts with just so happens to be of black orientation? it doesn't necessarily mean that she's really 'prejudice' or racist'. Otherwise she wouldn't sit next to someone she dislikes or eats off the other person's plate. She seems to rely on herself and just because a lady doesn't need help with picking up her things we can't automatically assume

[@MrBTRDAYZ]

This short was fantastic. I don't believe the black man is aware that her salad is in the next booth. That's why he snatched his plate back when she tried to take it. His way of saying "you can't have my plate, but if you're that hungry, I will share with you". Even better, he was nice enough to treat his hungry "lunch date" to something to drink as well.

[@dioneone]

I read about this and just had to see it for myself. Love it!!

[@israab79]

What did you read about it?

[@Mrs190812]

wow. i did not notice that but that makes a big difference in the story. Thank you!

[@ditch1973]

Surprised to see no credit given to Douglas Adams' account of his own very similar experience in a train station cafe with a stranger and a packet of biscuits

[@dudedysseus]

Is that what I was thinking of? I knew this was reminding me of something else and I couldn't think of what.

[@scottbiggs8894]

Indeed. I heard Doug tell his version of the joke in '83 while he was working on that book (the two versions were pretty much identical). This is clearly a copy as the book was very wide-spread. And the train station similarity is just too much of a coincidence. And I think Doug's version has an even better reveal at the end.

[@Staffmeister154]

4:17 That's MY Salad. lol

[@ranveerb]

Watched this at my English class, a very nice short movie :)

[@raytimpson3361]

The director also directed a couple episodes of Community. That's what brought me here.

[@mraccident]

Very well made film, and very good acting. I already encountered the idea so I guessed the end after she saw him eat the salad, but still enjoyed the movie.

[@AminDehnavi]

Simply beautiful.

[@hatednyc]

Wonderful. Just perfect.

[@giarcpnw]

Bravo Adam! I love the style and whether you meant to make it an homage to the past or shoot period style it worked, anachronisms didn't bother me one bit. Well done!

[@aimfuldrifter]

Adorable little short :)

[@tadhgreddan4790]

I've heard so many variations on an urban myth like this, and I now realise they probably originated from this film

[@Yuniverse7]

beautifully made film. wonderful acting as well.

[@Jenny_1158]

This is a true classic!

[@Darthvader-rl5bv]

I watched this in a shop in my school.

[@aldeshsa]

Cool. More please.

[@kapiticook]

A nice version of an old plot!!

[@hungryhags]

You could always write the essay about how you knew it wasn't her salad, and instead talk about how you felt about her assumptions of the guy stealing her food.

[@hesitantlist8567]

Love the music in this

[@hairypolack]

great film. this has become an urban legend... People saying they heard of it really happening to someone they know.

[@xanderselick]

Very much enjoyed this, didn't see the end coming haha!

[@evaexclusive2800]

THIRD TIME WATCHING DIS AND I STILL LOVEEEE IT

[@mirajipalace319]

coming from a mention from community season 1 behind the scenes commentary, deep cut lol but awesome!

[@dBarryTV1]

So awesome!!!

[@antoniotaurelli3280]

un ottimo short sul pregiudizio. very good

[@phoebethestrange]

fantastic. has inspired me ..

[@emilyn1905]

This is a good short film :)

[@MamiTT237]

I remember watching this in one of my classes in high school

[@thirdlinehockey9034]

POV: you're here for because of your English class

[@RajuGogul]

Thanks to my train friend, game designer, young and vibrant, from Hyderabad to Pune by Shatabdi on 16th June - for suggesting me this humaistic short film. Watched 4 to 5 times so far...

[@tngo74]

Wow! Greg Mottola, now a known film director, is listed as the grip in the credits!

[@viviaannvu]

I'm watching this for school right now. lol

[@abdullahabikharazeh9671]

@Seada Bashir its been 8 years bro shes not gonna remember lol

[@howxuan9616]

I had enough, I join diploma in communication I've replayed this 99 times

[@Footage81]

My teacher gave me home work about this video and iam enjoying it

[@animelover102104]

Had to watch this for my Psychology class and do a paper on it. I'm not sure which direction I want to go on it