Food Etiquette. Got one?

@nykel88 (999)
Philippines
February 21, 2010 9:13pm CST
Frankly I would share to you I don't have a formal proper decorum when it comes to eating food either breakfast, lunch and dinner at home but when it is time to go to a formal party I tend to have it in instinct. I don't practice it at home but it just comes out. Don't also try to think I'm one of those rich fancy people, I'm not. Now I question, is it really instinct to have ones etiquette in a table in the formal setting? Does your mind feel jealous of others in a formal area that it automatically levels with others in the setting? I'm just curious about this. Well I'm glad I have this instinct though and grateful.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
22 Feb 10
well, i usually don't dine with "rich and fancy people". when i eat i like to be able to be in a comfortable environment. being around stuffy stuck up people would kill my appetite and my buzz. lol. i do have decorum when i'm in more formal settings though. it's because of the way i was trained as a child. my parents use to take us to formal settings on purpose. this way they can train us how to act in those settings, and so we can see what it's like. when you do that with kids, they won't be shocked if they grow up and catch themselves in that situation. no, i don't think its instinctive for some people though. some people have never been trained that way, or have ignored their training.
1 person likes this
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
Well I wasn't trained to have one but maybe the media gave me information about this. I mean movies with this kind of settings like classic movies usually have this. I might have it in me imprinted but not sure. It doesn't really answer my question though. But your opinion might be. Thank you moongypsy!
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
22 Feb 10
oh okay, sorry about that. i guess one of my etiquettes would be not to blow your nose or belch at the table. i don't follow the eating with the right fork thing. i found that most of the neuvo riche don't even know. i also don't think they pay attention to that sort of thing anymore. i was also told not to eat everything off your plate in those kinds of settings.
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
That is not biggie moongypsy. Apology accepted. ^^,
@zoey7879 (3092)
• United States
22 Feb 10
*Turn away from table or excuse one's self to belch, cough, or sneeze *Excuse one's self from the table if they have gas *Don't smoke at the table *Don't call pets/animals to the table *Be aware that some things are just not meant for topics of discussion at dinner . . *Don't bring your workplace or stress to the table *No electronics *No answering the telephone
@zoey7879 (3092)
• United States
23 Feb 10
There's no real "rules" against most of the stuff in my list - It's just how I was raised and how I run my household. For example, some people don't have issues with whispering or sending text messages back and forth to people in the same room. I however, find those both to be quite rude as well. To each their own! (:
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
23 Feb 10
I pick up the phone during meal time. I didn't know it was wrong. Of course you are listing some of the "said" proper decorum but not all applies to all countries. Nice to anyway Zoey. Thank you!
@illfavors (590)
• United States
22 Feb 10
I always try to have good table manners. I had taken a class in school about manners and it's changed a lot since the old times. I really think it's important to be courteous at the table as to not offend anyone with bad manners.
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
23 Feb 10
True but I'm not also saying you should have your bad habits in the table. Most likely guess will just left. ^^,
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Feb 10
I too dont have a layue dout etiquette at home, but I dislike it when we all sit for dinner, one of the members, take his plate and go to the drawing area to watch tv! I dont even like it when people make sound while chewing. WE have a maid who does the table, and shouting for glass which she forgot to keep is another thing I hate to hear at the table. :(
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
I see. Not all of us have this etiquette, it doesn't mean you are not human. Cheer up!
• United States
22 Feb 10
I don't really have an etiquette per say, just the natural etiquette, which includes no burping, farting, or talking with a mouthful of food at the table. If I am eating with people who eat with their hands, I will do so, as well. If they are eating with a specific spoon or fork, I will do so, as well. I guess I just adjust to my surroundings. But the three basics I listed above I try to always follow. I think most people do.
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
23 Feb 10
Everyone has their own way of saying formal in the table. I do think not all "etiquette" are applies to all countries. We have different decorum. In your case you it is just instinct you will do proper etiquette. You are leveling with people. Just like me. ^^,
• New Zealand
22 Feb 10
I attended a private boarding school for 3 years. It's very strict there in terms of food etiquette: chew with your mouth close , etc. From those years after , I still maintain my table manners. I think it's a learn skill; yet it is also instinct because of the pressures of others in social situations and fear of being humiliated.
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
I see. It must have been frustrating for you to be in that school but it may have been for good cause. Yes social pressures are one factor that makes you do something you don't normally do.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
28 Feb 10
In my case, I have this tendency to eat 'properly' when I am not eating at my own home. I am more comfortable at home so I get to eat the way that I usually eat but, when I am at some place, outside or maybe perhaps in another house of someone that I know, I really end up eating properly. As much as I would like to enjoy what I am eating, when I am outside, I just couldn't help but, eat properly with the proper utensils depending on the meal that I am eating.
@eekikit (87)
• Philippines
24 Feb 10
I know right. It just comes out naturally, if you don't want to be rude that is. I also do not practice it at home, I even use hands when needed. I personally think that it is not about jealousy or anything my friend. I think it's just our consciousness that leads the way. Of course if you're thinking of the people around you, you would do what they do. I guess that's applicable too. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Am I right?
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
I was taught at home about manners especially about table manners. We all know that we need to close our mouth when we eat and not talk when your mouth is full and all those table manners. I think I also dont have the proper etiquette when it comes situations like what you mentioned but it is still a good thing to learn proper etiquette. I really dont care sometimes about how I look like when I eat but its not proper.
@nykel88 (999)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
We do want people to accept our behavior but it seems if we continue they might get the wrong thought of how we are race. That must be we should level with others in some situation to avoid embarrassment. Thank you.