Table manners

[Yellow Saddle]

Sometimes pizza, burgers etc are easier to eat with your hands.

I'm yet to come across a pizza or burger that's not easier to eat by hand. Burgers especially so if there's no place on the plate to disassemble the thing and invoke the risk of flying bits.

But this reminds me of many years ago when I worked on a newspaper. Our resident columnist had something going about manners and eating things with knife and fork. His view was that only a mango should be eaten by hand. A reader then challenged him and said no, a mango should and could be eaten with a knife and fork. A challenge ensued and the reader came to our office, armed with a ripe mango, knife, fork, plate and white napkin. He sat down at the columnist's desk, spread the napkin over his knees and proceeded to eat the mango without touching it with his hands. He peeled it, sliced it and ate every bit without squirting juice.

Not only is that remarkable (the newspaper has the photos to prove it can be done), but it was done in the days before mangoes were modified to their current state. In the 1980s a mango was still hairy, or rather, the pips were fibrous and eating one was an interesting experience. Of course, in the day, we never imagined that mangoes would lose their fur and become even more edible using knife and fork.

I think we never asked that reader his opinion on eating soup.

 

[annedonnelly]

I'm yet to come across a pizza or burger that's not easier to eat by hand. Burgers especially so if there's no place on the plate to disassemble the thing and invoke the risk of flying bits.

But this reminds me of many years ago when I worked on a newspaper. Our resident columnist had something going about manners and eating things with knife and fork. His view was that only a mango should be eaten by hand. A reader then challenged him and said no, a mango should and could be eaten with a knife and fork. A challenge ensued and the reader came to our office, armed with a ripe mango, knife, fork, plate and white napkin. He sat down at the columnist's desk, spread the napkin over his knees and proceeded to eat the mango without touching it with his hands. He peeled it, sliced it and ate every bit without squirting juice.

Not only is that remarkable (the newspaper has the photos to prove it can be done), but it was done in the days before mangoes were modified to their current state. In the 1980s a mango was still hairy, or rather, the pips were fibrous and eating one was an interesting experience. Of course, in the day, we never imagined that mangoes would lose their fur and become even more edible using knife and fork.

I think we never asked that reader his opinion on eating soup.

I never knew that mangoes were hairy! Terry Wogan used to say that the only way to eat one was standing in the sink, because the juice made so much mess!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I never knew that mangoes were hairy! Terry Wogan used to say that the only way to eat one was standing in the sink, because the juice made so much mess!

Yes, it is something that I only thought of again, now when I recalled the tale. As a kid we used to eat the mango without cutting the flesh. This involves a sort of combing/sifting action with your teeth, and a whole lotta sucking. Then you carefully wash the pip until the hair is clean and white. Then you comb it and make a mouse.

Kids today don't know what they missed. We made our mice from mango pips, they have to raid a computer for one of those.

Another thing that's changed. Watermelons used to be oblong and huge - 10 - 15 kgs each. Now they're small and compact.

 

[Lullabelle]

Manners are very important, as kids the family always sat together and ate together, take what you want and eat-no waste.
Even now there is only the 2 of us we still observe manners at the table, no electronic devices.

 

[tom73]

Table manners are fine if not enforced by over bearing parents. They can lead to / be part of development of eating disorders.
I've come across people who have because of it.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I used to say that table manners in this country were getting worse.

Then I went to the south-west U.S. a few times and realised we still haven't reached rock-bottom.

 

[Dave7]

Manners are very important, as kids the family always sat together and ate together, take what you want and eat-no waste.
Even now there is only the 2 of us we still observe manners at the table, no electronic devices.

Too much information there

 

[Low Gear Guy]

I used to say that table manners in this country were getting worse.

Then I went to the south-west U.S. a few times and realised we still haven't reached rock-bottom.

Do the bad table manners continue when the USAnians have lunch with work customers?

 

[Dave7]

Table manners are fine if not enforced by over bearing parents. They can lead to / be part of development of eating disorders.
I've come across people who have because of it.

Have to agree with that as I am one who is guilty.
When our kids were young eg when the lad was 10ish we would eat out in restaurants or decent pubs.
I insisted on certain table manners, unaware of the pressure I was putting on the lad, to the point he just could not eat his meal.
Fortunately MrsD realised what was happening but by then he had lost the enthusiasm for eating out.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Do the bad table manners continue when the USAnians have lunch with work customers?

I was on holiday road trips so never saw any obvious working lunches.

 

[Drago]

Its easier to fart in a lift rather than hold it in until you're outside, but that doesn't make it any less gross.

 

[Pale Rider]

Its easier to fart in a lift rather than hold it in until you're outside, but that doesn't make it any less gross.

Farting in a lift is great fun if you can time it to drop one just as the doors open, you exit and someone else gets in.

 

[Beebo]

The whole concept of good table manners is a wicked construct of a power structure devised by a privileged white male patriarchy that seeks...…….etc etc.

You’re confusing good manners, which are universally a good thing, with silver service cutlery nonsense about the correct spoon to use with the soup.

 

[Drago]

It's not nonsense. It's what separates us from the animals. Next you'll be telling me you don't dress for dinner in you house or, god forbid, eat off your lap.

 

[Beebo]

Next you'll be telling me you don't dress for dinner in you house or, god forbid, eat off your lap.

Only when I’m watching Mrs Browns Boys on the TV.