Etiquette lessons?

[Lallans]

Tobus.

I have had occasion to have a knife as my only eating(apart from fingers) tool many a time-----out in the Australian outback for one----- and have been more than happy to do so.However one does not necessarily need to bring those basic conditions home with us, do we?

Every one.

Of course every country has its own way of doing things even down to eating procedures around the table. In my experience there is a surprising similarity around the world when it comes to courtesy and etiquette and as long as you keep your eyes and mind open, little offence will be given and any minor faux pas is politely accepted and often forgiven with good humour.

But as MoR has quite correctly observed, there is nothing silly in asking questions if you want to learn.

U Brits get the table manners nod in the English-speaking world, Jock, but outsiders have to be careful about where and how to use them. With great knowledge comes great responsibility- applies to etiquette as well as to spidey powers (hope you get the movie reference).

[kc8ufv]

In Japan at least, it's considered low class to hold chopsticks ('hachi') near the working end- it's desirable to hold them as far up as possible. I make that a practice whereever I go, just in case it's universal. But it seems that the hardest way is always the most polite.

Unless eating popcorn, I usually hold mine about in the middle. It seems to get harder if I move away from that point. As for eating popcorn, that,um, practice stared at one of my former employers...

[Lallans]

Unless eating popcorn, I usually hold mine about in the middle. It seems to get harder if I move away from that point. As for eating popcorn, that,um, practice stared at one of my former employers...

Name of Orville?

[Jock Scot]

Canuk of NI.

"Spidey powers"? No sorry, you have lost me!LOL

[Lallans]

Canuk of NI.

"Spidey powers"? No sorry, you have lost me!LOL

Sorry, it's a reference from the Spider Man movie, what the hero's uncle tells him about his superhuman abilities. The 'spidey' thing is from what Spider Man called himself in the cartoon- Spidey. "Time for Old Spidey to get in the action." He is a little odd, possibly a result of being part spider.

[Jock Scot]

Sorry, it's a reference from the Spider Man movie, what the hero's uncle tells him about his superhuman abilities. The 'spidey' thing is from what Spider Man called himself in the cartoon- Spidey. "Time for Old Spidey to get in action." He is a little odd, possibly a result of being part spider.

AHHA!! I have heard of this Spiderman fellow, but I am afraid he is a bit out this 70 year old's ken!

[Cygnus]

In Japan at least, it's considered low class to hold chopsticks ('hachi') near the working end- it's desirable to hold them as far up as possible. I make that a practice whereever I go, just in case it's universal. But it seems that the hardest way is always the most polite.

In some places, most difficult and most polite do often seem to be synonymous; but it's understandable, as that shows how very sincere you are in your respect for those around you!

(As an off-topic aside - I think you meant to type "hashi" as the word for chopsticks - I'm no expert on Japanese, but I believe "hachi" is the bowl of a helmet.)

I also think that you won't go too far wrong sticking with a single "style" of dining etiquette - I think the differences between the various Western countries' styles are subtle enough not to cause too much of a scandal wherever you happen to be. It seems Americans are forgiven their utensil switching wherever they may be so long as they don't spoil the butter and I doubt many Americans would take offense at seeing a fork used left-handed.

[Lallans]

(As an off-topic aside - I think you meant to type "hashi" as the word for chopsticks - I'm no expert on Japanese, but I believe "hachi" is the bowl of a helmet.)

.

I'm sure you're right. I was of course referring to 箸
Helmet aside, Hachi was someone I used to know.

[kc8ufv]

Name of Orville?

Actually was a call center I worked in. Company had a policy about not eating at your desk, but they didn't care s long as you didn't get the computers and phones greasy, customers couldn't hear it, and you cleaned up your trash. Popcorn satisfied all but the greasy part, which was easily and commonly solved by reusing chopsticks from lunch. Many there ate chinese take out from a few doors away on lunch.

[Whidbey78]

"When in Rome," I have learned the hard way, requires a keen eye for detail, and a bit of focus and awareness of everything you are doing when local etiquette is very different from your own.

The first time I ate as a house-guest in Japan(my third time being there), I passed a sample of food from my plate to one of my companions. This in itself is usually acceptable, and had been encouraged in this case as our hosts had prepared a broad sampling of "Japanese Home Cooking." However, which end of the chop sticks one uses to do this is important. They politely reminded me of this. I thanked them for the reminder. Not more than two minutes later, again distracted, this time by conversation with a man who spoke four and a half languages(the half being English) I stuck the sticks into my rice bowl. Imagine you neighbor's expression if, while at the table, you suddenly shot his dog.

I already knew this was an insult, but I had stopped being mindful of what I was doing and where I was. Fortunately, they were forgiving and understanding, but it didn't ease my shame in doing something insulting when I was already very aware of the custom.

Thankfully, most people are forgiving of mistakes made by foreigners. With the exception of traffic cops, but that's a different issue.