Posted by Poet on February 7, 2004, at 16:08:10
In reply to table manners ... obsession?, posted by Medusa on February 7, 2004, at 7:49:50
Hi Medusa,
Lettuce is supposed to be shredded, not cut. Shredded into small enough pieces that don't require you to use a knife. Unless it's one of those trendy lettuce wraps, then you just eat it with your fingers like a sandwich. If you have to cut the lettuce, the salad was not properly prepared.
Beverages: no chewing ice or gulping so fast you sound make noises like a water cooler and sound like Curly of the Three Stooges. If the table is wood, all beverages are placed on coasters.
Bread and rolls are to be put on a plate, not on the table. Same with bones or shrimp tails.
Tablespoons and dinner forks used for serving are put back in the serving bowl or plate.
Messy food should be eaten over the plate, so crumbs and especially sauces that stain don't fall on the floor.
You may be horrified at this, but I grew up in a house where pets were fed from the table. I will put a plate on the floor for the cats, and let them lick it clean, but not in front of guests unless they have pets and do the same in their house.
Napkins: use them. I hate greasy fingerprints on wine glasses. I hate lipstick prints even more, but I can't require guests to buy the kind that doesn't rub off easily. Then again...
Poet
poster:Poet
thread:310432
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040131/msgs/310608.html