Sit properly, eat with your right hand, cross your legs, speak gently, be humble, and don’t talk while eating, among other things. Are you able to relate to any of these? Our parents and grandparents have probably been teaching us these skills since we first learned to walk or talk. We have been learning etiquettes since the first day of school till the first official meeting.
I’m sure you’ve attended a number of formal lunch or dinner parties where you’ve been asked to wash your hands before sitting, place paper napkins on your lap, keep your elbows off the table, pass the food from your right, and so on. These are some of the etiquette that are repeatedly taught to all members of the family, regardless of age. Table manners, often known as dining etiquettes, reflect grace and sophistication, but did you know that your cutlery has its own language too? They reveal a lot about the food you had.
Master Chef winner Pankaj Bhadouriya recently displayed the cutlery language on her Instagram account through a video.
Let’s have a look at the fascinating language of cutlery:
Taking a break: When taking a break during lunch or dinner, set your fork and knife in the centre of your plate, tip to tip, forming an inverted V.
Next course: When you've finished one course and are ready to go on to the next, create a cross with your knife and fork, with the fork facing up and the knife to the left.
How to give thanks for the meal: If you want to express your gratitude, place the cutlery parallel to each other to the right, fork first, then knife. You'll be able to tell the waiters that the dinner was fantastic this way. However, if you believe the food was not satisfactory in this scenario, the proper procedure is to arrange the cutlery in the same position as when you are taking a break, but this time inserting the knife tip between the teeth of the fork.
Finishing a meal: When it comes to cutlery placement at the end of a meal, leave your dishes in the same position; do not stack or push them aside. Place the knife and fork straight up and down in the centre of the plate, indicating that the meal is over and the plate can be removed. Don't forget to utilise your cutlery to signal the waiter and let them know about the meal the next time you enter your favourite restaurant and get your preferred corner seat near the window. Have a wonderful meal.
