TABLE MANNERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1938, Page 4

TABLE MANNERS

EUROPEAN CUSTOMS. As the table is supposed to be woman’s special domain, no doubt British women are responsible for reversing almost all its rules as held abroad. “Elbows off the table, Moira!” is good training for Moira—so long as she remains at home. But send her to France for a year at school, and one of the first things she is taught is that to keep the hands on the lap when not actually eating is a breach of good manners according to French etiquette. In most other countries, too, dishes are served from the right—a slightly confusing procedure for the British guest, who invariably looks for sustenance td arrive on the left! Even in well-off houses abroad, special fish or fruit cutlery is uncommon. Occasionally there are two forks with which to manipulate fish, otherwise you are supposed to deal with even the boniest variety with one, -aided by a piece of bread. The ritual of taking soup from the far side of the plate, and sipping it from the near side of the spoon, seems to be a speciality of British table manners. Think no ill of the distinguished looking stranger at the next table, who evidently considers the only way really to enjoy -soup is to tilt the plate inwards at a gradually increasing angle and to put the spoon, point forwards, into the mouth. Our way, to them, seems merely fussy, ridiculous and unpractical .... s When strolling past the smartest cafes in France or Italy, notice how the morning “brioche” seems to be enjoyed more heartily when dipped and softened first in the cup of morning coffee, instead of being split and spread with butter. Let it not be imagined, however, that foreigners are less formal at a meal than we are. Their formality merely takes other lines. Toast drinking is still usual at quite small, intimate parties, and the glasses must be clicked, and acknowledgements duly bowed, not merely smiled stiffly and self-consciously. When joining a stranger at a restaurant table, it is considered the height of bad manners not to ask permission first. Again, you must bow in farewell even though conversation has been neither volunteered nor desired. Old-fashioned families all over Europe still cling to the charming Continental custom of kissing the hostess’ hand after a meal and thanking her for what she has provided.