Etiquette lessons?

[Jack Daw]

Same here. I am borderline neurotic about my food not touching. My wife even jokingly bought me a cafeteria-style divided tray so I wouldn't have to worry about my food touching.

The thought of having to mash all my food together like baby food, just to pick it up and eat it, is a little bit disgusting.

Yes, I like spinach and I like potatoes, but I can't stand it when the juice from the cooked spinach runs into the potatoes and changes the flavor.

[Jock Scot]

Aha! This is why it is dangerous to take things too literally, something that the non British have a habit of doing if I may say so, anyway, you chaps are missing the point of the subtleties of experience!

[piperdbh]

Aye, Jock, and we also miss the inflection in the voice and the raised corner of the eyebrow when we have to type our tuppence.

[kc8ufv]

W

Aha! This is why it is dangerous to take things too literally, something that the non British have a habit of doing if I may say so, anyway, you chaps are missing the point of the subtleties of experience!

Why can't people ever just say what they mean. It is so much easier to take things literally.

[Mike_Oettle]

The trouble is that no matter how we express ourselves (in writing, in speech), there is always the chance that we will be misunderstood.
I habitually explain myself as carefully as possible, but frequently I have to go back and clarify something that has been misread.
Regards,
Mike

[Pleater]

Plus the added complexity of - for instance - typing in English and reading in American. The words might look the same but have different meanings, some subtle, but sometimes entirely different.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Whidbey78]

I habitually explain myself as carefully as possible, but frequently I have to go back and clarify something that has been misread.
Regards,
Mike

I sympathize Mike! I may be one of the most "long-winded" people on this site, but I am frequently typing up a post to clarify a previous one's intent, meaning, message or idea. Often times I am explaining a joke due to a combination of linguistic differences, colloquialisms foreign to those living outside North America, and the fact that my sense of humor is a bit odd(to say the least).

Which brings to mind a point that I don't think has been touched on in this thread, but may be as important as using the proper fork and acquiring butter in a proper manner. What is considered "polite" conversation, especially in mixed company at the table? Subjects such as business, politics, religion or bowel resections are usually taboo unless that is WHY you are all there and it is intended to be discussed over supper rather than after, but what are the "Emily Post" rules for dinner conversation?

Also, if someone starts a conversation that is taboo, is likely to generate conflict, or is in poor taste, what is the best way to guide the conversation away from it without generating more tension or offending anyone.

[Jock Scot]

I sympathize Mike! I may be one of the most "long-winded" people on this site, but I am frequently typing up a post to clarify a previous one's intent, meaning, message or idea. Often times I am explaining a joke due to a combination of linguistic differences, colloquialisms foreign to those living outside North America, and the fact that my sense of humor is a bit odd(to say the least).

Which brings to mind a point that I don't think has been touched on in this thread, but may be as important as using the proper fork and acquiring butter in a proper manner. What is considered "polite" conversation, especially in mixed company at the table? Subjects such as business, politics, religion or bowel resections are usually taboo unless that is WHY you are all there and it is intended to be discussed over supper rather than after, but what are the "Emily Post" rules for dinner conversation?

Also, if someone starts a conversation that is taboo, is likely to generate conflict, or is in poor taste, what is the best way to guide the conversation away from it without generating more tension or offending anyone.

In the Mess(usually in the past an all male affair) we used to and at home we try to observe the custom of not mentioning a woman's name(other than those present),not talking shop(business) and not discussing religion over dinner. It is a bit tricky to find things to talk about at first! In fact with practice there is lots to discuss---even kilts and by observing this custom, a non contentious, or non boring evening should result!

To redirect the conversation if it is going off course, then the good old stalwarts of "tell me did you see the weather forecast?" or, "are you interested in Cricket?", or "are you one of the Somerset ,or, Inverness Smiths?" is a not so subtle hint that a correction of course is required!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There are five deadly sins as regards dinner conversation:

1) GOSSIP.......straight to Hell.
2) RELIGION...straight to purgatory
3) POLITICS....straight to the third pit (where the cops are German, the cooks English, and the mechanics French)
4) DEATH........straight to Limbo, where you will languish forever waiting for another dinner invitation
5) ILLNESS.....straight to the fifth pit, which is a NHS waiting room...

[artificer]

There are five deadly sins as regards dinner conversation:

1) GOSSIP
2) RELIGION
3) POLITICS
4) DEATH
5) ILLNESS.

So my joke about "what the bishop overheard regarding the Vatican's UN status as a 'government' just before he fell ill and died" is going to be regarded as a formal dinner faux pax? Oh blast!

I guess I need new material.