The world really is going to hell in a soup tureen. Yep, you heard me. According to a recent survey (hey, I don't make these thing up) good table manners have become a thing of the past. Horror of hors d-oeuvres, can you imagine? Personally, I think Colonel Sanders and his finger lickin' good chicken is to blame for the downfall of civil mastication. On the upside he saved us all from washing the utensils over and over again. But I digress.
A study of British diners by Bisto found that a quarter of people surveyed believe table manners are not important. Oh, British dinners. Have you seen the food they eat? When you subsist on a diet of bangers and mash that could help explain things.
Listen to this. 44% of those polled say they start their food before others arrive at the table. Another 38% regularly answer phone calls while they are eating. Why? Don't they know it's just a telemarketer at the other end of the line? This number does not include my wife who would be among the per cent of people who read e-mails on their blackberries during a meal. What? I'm not entertaining enough? I digress again.
33% admitted to not thinking twice about stealing food off other people's plates.
Here's a few things that weren't included in the survey - some food faux pas as it were - although they've been known to happen in my house, and I'd be curious to know how prevalent these activities are.
Loading up with salt and pepper without tasting your meal.
The old border-house reach as opposed to "Could you please pass the brussel sprouts."
Lifting the soup bowl to one's lips to sip the last drop of pottage.
Licking of the dinner plate.
Putting your plate on the floor so the family dog can clean up your leftovers.
Scraping the vegetables you don't like onto your spouse's plate when they're not looking.
Eating ribs, drumsticks or refried beans with your fingers.
Loud, satisfied passings of air out of any number of orifices without so much as an "Oops, excuse me" or "Ah, now that was good, dear."
I confess except for feeding food to the dog, as we don't have one, I have at one time or another (hey not at the same meal, what do you think I am?) undertaken all of these.
Miss Manners would roll over in her grave...if she were dead. And if she's not, she wouldn't last long at my house.
Comments
This is why I live and prefer to eat alone. I like food more than I like most people, so it works out well.
Pinkies up!
*fart*
What seems to be the problem Nomie?
heh heh
Seven days later, she was dead.
If I ever have kids (shudder at the thought), I will make sure I pass these things along to them. I am getting off my soapbox now and going to watch some porn:)
Whatever.
I distinctly remember my Aunt Lala, who was British, repeatedly whacking my knuckles with a spoon because I kept putting my elbows on the dinner table. Man, have times ever changed.
The one thing on your list that I am terrible for doing is adding salt BEFORE I taste the food. I love salt. Can't get enough!
;-)
I would never eat my food before the others food arrived nor answer my phone. Although I have been known to tweet or check my email while with my hubby because he is busy stuffing his face. I have licked my plate but only at home when no one was around to see me, therefore, it can't be proven. Hubby and I do switch food. He is less picky than me.
One thing that drives me nuts is the improper way of holding the utensils. My hubby holds his wrong and every time I look at him my grandpa's voice is screaming, "What the hell do think it is? A shovel?"
We, also, had to ask to be excused from the table. The rule I disagreed with was we were not allowed to leave unless we ate every bite on our plate. I was known to be at the table for hours. I blame them for my weight problems.
In my own case, as a kid I'd be at the table for hours because I couldn't chew my meat properly. Then I'd finally skulk down the hall and spit it out into the toilet. Funny I'm not vegan.
Also on a similar subject, what's with TVs in all the restaurants. I can understand a sports bar, but they're showing up everywhere except maybe the "fine dining" places. When I'm dining with someone, I give them my full attention, and expect the same, not to be watching TV.
Great Post!
Ha, ha, with respect to the TVs in restaurants I always try to get the chair with the great view of the big screen so I can devote equal time between the game and my loved one. Pretty considerate, eh?
;-)
Ha, ha, with respect to the TVs in restaurants I always try to get the chair with the great view of the big screen so I can devote equal time between the game and my loved one. Pretty considerate, eh?
I would never eat my food before the others food arrived nor answer my phone. Although I have been known to tweet or check my email while with my hubby because he is busy stuffing his face. I have licked my plate but only at home when no one was around to see me, therefore, it can't be proven. Hubby and I do switch food. He is less picky than me.
One thing that drives me nuts is the improper way of holding the utensils. My hubby holds his wrong and every time I look at him my grandpa's voice is screaming, "What the hell do think it is? A shovel?"
We, also, had to ask to be excused from the table. The rule I disagreed with was we were not allowed to leave unless we ate every bite on our plate. I was known to be at the table for hours. I blame them for my weight problems.