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The Feral Astrologer's avatar

I loved this essay. Thank you for writing it. I'm from an entirely different culture (Scottish) but we were not raised with "proper" table manners and the times I was reprimanded by other kids' parents for bad table manners... ugh. I've greatly enjoyed eating meals with friends who are of cultures who eat with their hands. It makes me feel more connected to both food and people. I eat all kinds of food with my hands at home when I'm alone, too.

Also, salmon is culturally very important to the Indigenous people of where I live (Coast Salish). I sometimes avoid it because of the bones but you made me realise that eating with my hands is the answer.

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Sofia Paredes's avatar

I have always struggled with the strict British table manners - particularly the fact that everyone waits for everyone to be served before tucking in, specially with warm food (or food that naturally takes time to prepare, or that is made as you go along - like BBQs where everything is ready at different times). Growing up in Mexico, we never waited - it’s rude to let food get cold! It’s been made with love, why would you ruin the beautiful flavours by letting it get cold?

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