LouisXIV
member
Offline
L'estat c'est moi.
|
Post by LouisXIV on May 13, 2009 2:19:15 GMT
For the past five years I have hosted foreign exchange students and noticed some different eating habits. Here are some of them and I was wondering if anyone else has noticed different eating habits in other parts of the world.
Being from America I noticed that they keep their fork in their left hand and keep their knife in their right hand.
I have also noticed mostly with Germans is that they use their knife to push their food on to their fork. They also pick up their mashed potatoes with their knife and slide of off on their fork. Here in America most people would never even consider using a knife to eat mashed potatoes.
I have noticed that the French seem not to be able to eat food with their hands. Here In America most eat fried chicken with their fingers. My French friends use there knife and fork. Once when I served corn on the cob my French friends picked up their knife and fork and studied the cob of corn trying to figure out how to attack it. I finally had to show them by putting butter and salt on mine and picking it up with my hands and ate it.
Another one that I have noticed with Germans is they don't seem to use a napkin or don't even take it off the table until the make a mess. Most people in the USA put their napkin on their lap before they start the meal. The Germans also fold the napkin up perfectly after the dinner like they think I will be using them again for the next meal.
I feel that the French are the best. They seem to know how to use all the "tools" correctly to enjoy their meal. Eating to the French is an art form.
My one exchange student from Thailand ate almost everything with a spoon. And seemed to need dipping sauce for everything.
My Italian students never used a spoon and fork to eat pasta like many in other parts of the world do.
Anyone else have any strange habits to relate?
|
|
|
Post by hwinpp on May 13, 2009 3:13:47 GMT
Being from America I noticed that they keep their fork in their left hand and keep their knife in their right hand. How do Americans do it?
I have also noticed mostly with Germans is that they use their knife to push their food on to their fork. Using two tools to eat makes it easier. No 'chasing' morsels around the plate.
I have noticed that the French seem not to be able to eat food with their hands. Never noticed that. Though using a knife and fork on chicken doesn't seem entirely strange to me. I use just a fork.
Another one that I have noticed with Germans is they don't seem to use a napkin or don't even take it off the table until the make a mess. I hate using napkins. When a waiters unfolds it and spreads it over my lap I tell him to take it away. I don't spill. After the meal I clean myself with it. Then I fold it and put it back on the table. Makes it easier to collect and, to me, it seems politer as I'm showing the waiter it's not soiled where he's picking it up. I've never thought the restaurant would use them unwashed for the next meal.
Eating to the French is an art form. Not so sure about that but they are very comfortable with it and appreciate a good meal.
My one exchange student from Thailand ate almost everything with a spoon. Yes. Thais eat mostly with fork and spoon. Chopsticks are not as popular as in some of the neighbouring countries, in fact, if they aren't Chinese, they're lousy with chopsticks.
My Italian students never used a spoon and fork to eat pasta like many in other parts of the world do. I think that's only done in America.
In Laos fried noodles are eaten with the fingers. When I asked them why they didn't use chopsticks they told me 'it's easier'.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2009 4:40:08 GMT
My Singaporean friend marveled that I could eat rice with chopsticks or peas with a fork. He was a big spoon user for just about everything.
|
|
|
Post by hwinpp on May 13, 2009 4:56:27 GMT
I also eat peas with a fork, if I eat rice with chopsticks it has to be in a bowl and I shovel it in holding the bowl to my mouth.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2009 5:08:21 GMT
I saw that lots of Singaporeans basically use their chopsticks as a tool to push things onto their spoon. But they also use the chopsticks to snag things out of the central platter.
|
|
|
Post by hwinpp on May 13, 2009 6:16:17 GMT
LOL! That's what I do too (might also be Malaysian etiquette)! I've met people who have admiringly told me 'you can eat so fast! Can use two hands!' because I'm left handed (sort of). So I'm picking and choosing from the central dish with my chop- sticked hand while eating with my 'spooned' right hand. That is one of the things I miss here, no slow, talkative meals to be had with some drinks and a cigarette later on. People go to a restaurant to eat, once the meal has been finished you move off to a different place for drinks.
|
|
|
Post by lagatta on May 13, 2009 11:09:35 GMT
Why would anyone eat pasta with a spoon?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2009 11:26:31 GMT
I think he is referring to that method of using a spoon as a base in which to wind up one's spaghetti on a fork. I have never used a spoon, but even in France they bring you a spoon when spaghetti is served at a restaurant.
|
|
|
Post by Jazz on May 13, 2009 14:34:05 GMT
......That is one of the things I miss here, no slow, talkative meals to be had with some drinks and a cigarette later on. People go to a restaurant to eat, once the meal has been finished you move off to a different place for drinks. I love slow, talkative meals! This is another way in which we all differ. Like Hwnn, this is one of my greatest pleasures. I find though, that I am the slowest eater of anyone I have ever shared a meal with...I always am the last to finish my meal. It isn't that I am talking incessantly, I am listening, especially when I have guests for dinner and am trying to encourage them to relax.
|
|
LouisXIV
member
Offline
L'estat c'est moi.
|
Post by LouisXIV on May 13, 2009 14:52:55 GMT
Americans eat with their fork in their right hand. They switch the fork to the left hand and use their knife in the right hand to cut their meat or what ever. The then put the knife down and switch the fork back to the right hand and continue eating. I know this does not make scene, but that is the way they do it.
I guess the Americans are just skilled with their fork and don't require a knife to get food on the fork.
Kerouac2 explained how some Americans and some people in Europe eat spaghetti with a fork and spoon.
|
|
|
Post by bjd on May 13, 2009 15:06:48 GMT
I don't know that the Americans are so skilled with their forks -- it just seems like a lot of bother to keep switching cutlery from one hand to another.
About slow talkative meals -- when we have guests or go to the restaurant or someone's house, meals are always long. This seems perfectly normal and pleasant in France. But I noticed that in some countries, even in restaurants you are not expected to take your time and enjoy your meal. This struck me in Eastern Europe. If you empty your glass, someone takes it away -- either you are supposed to order more or else leave. No just sitting and talking.
Another thing about restaurant habits struck me last month in Ecuador -- the two times we went to a French-run restaurant, the owner or waiter came to ask if everything was okay. In Ecuadorian places, this never happened.
|
|
LouisXIV
member
Offline
L'estat c'est moi.
|
Post by LouisXIV on May 15, 2009 12:43:06 GMT
bjd: That happens here in the USA all the time and they seem to ask you if everything is OK just after you put some food in your mouth.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 15, 2009 20:24:53 GMT
That doesn't happen as much here. In fact, I've wanted to give lessons that direct wait staff to look out at the diners instead of clumping together to chat. But the opposite can also happen, with claustrophobic hovering. A note on that which is also a note on the current economy ~~ There is a very large, fun buffet restaurant here that I've visiting many times over the years. The only gripe I've ever had about the place is that sometimes there were so many bus- and wait-persons that they could make one feel crowded. I've actually had a crumpled paper napkin I was loosely holding on the table pulled out of my hand! Well, day before yesterday I went with two friends. The restaurant seemed as busy and popular as ever, but the wait-staff was drastically reduced. Our very large section had only one waitress and one busboy, and the poor waitress was racing furiously trying to keep up with mixed drink orders. It took forever to get her attention to ask for the bill, and she was trying to serve all her tables while carrying around a sheaf of bills to present. The place really is huge -- less than 2/3 of it is shown in the website and this picture will give a small idea of the size. I don't know who those people are -- stole this off the web -- but look at their table number to get an idea of the restaurant's size.
|
|
|
Post by auntieannie on May 15, 2009 20:29:07 GMT
bixa, here when there is a "buffet" people are expected to help themselves from the dishes presented in a designated area. Isn't it the same in the pictured restaurant?
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 15, 2009 21:56:49 GMT
Yes, but the waitstaff used to come around with hot tortillas, whisking away any that had gone cold in the basket. They'd check to see if anyone needed a beverage. I'm pretty sure they'd even go fix a plate for you if asked. The tables were kept bussed -- you'd go back to get a fresh plate & more from the buffet, and your used plate would be gone upon your return. The beverage thing is fairly important, as there is no place to serve oneself. Also, the buffet is extremely well priced -- $9 a person and you can pretty much hang out there all day. The huge array of different dishes are freshly prepared daily, and there's even a section where you can grill or have grilled a large selection of meats. Point being that they really make much of their profit from beverages -- a pitcher of lemonade costs about 4 dollars for instance.
|
|
|
Post by hwinpp on May 16, 2009 3:41:47 GMT
Wouldn't mind having a go at that buffet myself!
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 16, 2009 3:58:24 GMT
You'd love it, HW! One of the reasons I like to take people there is because it's a good introduction to the different foods here. They can look at the food before choosing and also just take a little bit to try it. Then they can go back & pig out on the stuff they really like.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 11:21:51 GMT
You didn't take me there
|
|
|
Post by BigIain on May 16, 2009 12:51:46 GMT
During may many business trips to Germany recently I have noticed that they typically use the napking to dab their mouths very often. Maybe every second mouthful or so. In between dabs the napkin is placed on the sideplate.
I was wondering how old the students were?
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on May 16, 2009 13:25:58 GMT
The Japanese don't provide napkins when food is served. I reckon that napkins are necessary when one has to deal with sloppy noodles especially when you see them sucking the noodles into their mouths maybe touching their chins.
In England the napkin etiquette is this: More or less when one sits down the napkin (hopefully a linen one) should soon be unfolded and put on one's lap (by whoever). At the end of the meal it MUST be put back on the table in its crushed or used or unused state. On no account should napkins be re-folded regardless of whether they've been used or not.
When eating in 'superior' places then the knife and fork should be used thus: the knife must be in the right hand and the fork in the left. On no account should the knife be put down, the fork transferred to the right hand and food skewered onto it destined for the mouth. This is considered to be very RUDE. (I'm not talking about left-handed people here).
If one has to be careful of one's manners then spaghetti and the spoon/fork combination will not be ordered at all.
Asparagus must be eaten with the fingers.
Best not to order corn on the cob and actually it wouldn't be on the menu.
If eating bread/rolls at the start of the meal (perhaps to be avoided) then on no account should the whole piece be bitten or butter added before biting. Small pieces must be torn off the roll. If butter has to be added, add it at this stage.
Wine glasses must be picked up correctly. Glasses with white wine should be picked up by the stem....hands may clutch the bowl of a red wine glass.
On no account let someone skewer food off your plate for his own consumption.
No elbows on the table....wrists are allowed.
For heaven's sake - no waving of implements around in the air or, worse still, pointing them at someone.
That's all I can think of for now.
Except: Eating very quickly is also rude.
|
|
|
Post by Don Cuevas on May 16, 2009 14:06:10 GMT
Bixa, we had an invitation from Lucía Gómez, of las Cocinas Económicas Lucía's to eat at one of her father's restaurants, La Escondida. But we just couldn't get around to it.
You are looking really good in that picture you posted.
Saludos, Don Cuevas
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 16:14:03 GMT
I will never be allowed in England again, spindrift!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 16:29:07 GMT
Is this for real spindrift?
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 16, 2009 20:09:53 GMT
Except for the asparagus rule (are you sure about that, Spindrift?), all of the rules Emily Spindrift listed are normal, old-fashioned good manners. I was taught every one of those things, not that you'd know it to look at me. Well, I was taught to use a knife & fork American style, but since we moved overseas around the same time I was old enough to start cutting my own food, I relearned the European method & use it to this day.
A couple other rules in the same vein: Don't cut up all your meat at the same time -- cut it as you eat it. No reaching across for anything - ask to have it passed to you.
I don't really notice or care about other people's table manners except for two things: NEVER should anyone eat with the mouth open and NEVER remove anything from your mouth and put it where someone else can see.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 20:11:41 GMT
The asparagus rule is the same in France.
|
|
|
Post by Jazz on May 16, 2009 20:48:02 GMT
Most of Spindrift's #19 are a 'given' in formal situations in Canada. However, as the wine flows and the friends are comfortable with each other...
We were raised to use the knife and fork in the way described by Louis, but after I began to travel, I adopted the European/Japanese usage. But, I have never seen asparagus picked up and eaten in a restaurant or in a dinner at a private home...I sometimes do this when I eat alone. It would be regarded as crude.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 20:54:12 GMT
French rules even say that you are allowed to eat salad with your hands, but I have not ever seen this in person.
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on May 19, 2009 8:47:55 GMT
Emily Spindrift! ;D
Well, it's true for me anyway and it comes naturally. As Bixa said, it's how we were taught to behave at table.
Of course I do unbend when I'm relaxing with good friends and I do like to put my elbows on the table. It all depends where I am and who I'm with. I was really talking about when I'm out eating in 'superior' establishments where there is a linen tablecloth and good silver cutlery! I don't of ten visit these places now.
I know that Americans use their implements in an entirely different way so that's ok and acceptable (because they are not english)....I was only being priggish in telling you what I do. In the past I've endlessly eaten out in very formal situations where one really has to 'mind one's manners' and is on display (say, at the top table in the Mansion House). It pays to know and understand the difference there, especially when one is being served food by flunkies and is sitting next to god knows whom.
There is, however, a limit to what I'll accept. I have an admirer (the one in Maida Vale) who is great in many respects BUT he has the terrible habit of waving his knife and fork in the air when he's talking to me during meals. I'm serious when I say that I've dismissed the possibility of him being permanently in my life because I just couldn't stand it if I had to live with that. Would you not feel the same?
P.S. I have noticed that North Americans eat asparagus with knife and fork....but those in the know (in England) would never do this. Of course we have a little bowl of water with a piece of lemon in it to wash our fingers.
It's true that I can roughly tell a person's background by observing how they eat.
Next thing: how they speak.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 19, 2009 11:49:16 GMT
Almost all these I was aware of with the exception of the bread/roll rule and the white wine/red wine rule. Asparagus I've seen both ,depending on how it's served (with hollandaise or other sauce). I am left handed so the utensil rules are a natural.
|
|
|
Post by pookie on May 19, 2009 12:55:37 GMT
I to was brought up in the British fashion,although have never heard the white wine/red wine rule. My mother (British ) was a stickler for no elbows on table and sitting up straight .
Bixa...The eatiing with mouth closed was also another no no , as was removing food from mouth. With cutlery always work from the outside inwards.
I have a friend who was taught (Italian heretage) to peel prawns with a knife and fork .It is a sight worth seeing she does it so perfectly. Me , when it comes to prawns its hands only and a bowl with warm water and a slice of lemon.
|
|