Mind your manners Part II
Posting the article on table setting and etiquette, made me realized that people really do read blogs these days. Most of the comment I got are from other countries, which is very interesting to me.
After writing those posts, I confess that I found myself noticing other people more. This is very bad, but sometimes I really can’t help it, especially if they start to speak in Spanish and I don’t understand anything anymore. Instead it made me think of that article , and relating it to how people behaved. This is the second part of that post. Again, forgive me if I might be mocking sometimes, I don’t mean to really. I apologize if I am hurting anyone who reads this. It just makes me think that we are supposed to be very civilized with all the progress that the world is doing, and yet it is not working for others even with all the available information on the internet. I am not an expert on these things, that’s why I do research too. While I write these I am learning as well, and reminding myself of the rules and guidelines that I already know. So now I shall begin with the continuation of my first article.
Further etiquette on dining:
Cleaning your teeth
- One evening in a restaurant, I observed this couple on another table. The man seems to court the girl. Usually at this stage, both parties try to impress each other. Then suddenly I saw the girl cleaning her teeth with her fingernails!! Sometimes others can do this without being too obvious but this was another case. It was really obvious. I must say I felt sorry for both of them.
So what should one do if this happens? In this situation, excuse yourself and go to the bathroom and clean your teeth there. Also applying make up should be done in washroom as well and not on the table.
Removing the bone
- Accidentally eating a bone from fish, chicken or simply something unpleasant, is common for most of us. So to take it out and move the bone with your tongue and place it on the fork, and place it on the side of your plate. As this is not accepted in some countries, you can also use your napkin in place of the fork. Try to do it as discreetly as possible. To be safe, if I am in a restaurant, I order something that is easier to eat. Like a boneless chicken, or some pasta so I don’t have to worry about eating bones.
The bread
- I was twelve when I first visited Spain. During the meal, I saw that they placed the bread on the table. No bread baskets, no plates, nothing. That was the first time I have seen something like that. Another culture and another manner of eating. Now that I am here in Argentina, it is the same thing. The bread is placed on the table again. I honestly, don’t mind that much since that is their tradition but there is one thing that annoys me, “the crumbs”. It’s really annoying to have all those crumbs all over the table and especially if you are the one who is cleaning up.
In formal dining, bread is served on a plate or in a basket. Break the bread into smaller pieces, just enough for a bite or two. You use your fingers to do the breaking. You butter the piece you just pulled and then eat it. DO NOT butter the whole piece of bread all at once and much more eating it directly as a whole. Don’t think of it as a burger!!!
The Seasoning
- My husband always mentioned that a lot of the people here in Argentina put salt on their food without even tasting it first. I guess that must have been a habit for them to do so. However it is quite absurd to add salt without even knowing if it really lacks salt. Perhaps the food is already salty!!! So, it is just right to try your food first before adding anything.
Mobile Phones 
- It is very impolite to call, text or play with your phone on the table. It’s better to put in on silent mode. If the call is really important excuse yourself and step outside to take your call.
Talking and the elbows
- This will be last and my favorite among all. I am sure that your very own mother or your teacher said this at some point. “Do not talk when your mouth is full”!!! The other one is “Keep elbows off the table”!!!
Acknowledgement:
Thank you to google and the people who took these pictures. Please allow me to post them : )
