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.
Thank you for reading it! It means so much hearing people from different cultures relate to the message and share their own experiences. I love that the manner in which we eat the fish that's so culturally important to us Iraqis has influenced the way you might choose to eat that which is significant to you Scots by coast Salish!
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?
Isabela here — I'd never thought much about that custom or how it could be different elsewhere, even though I always hate letting my food get cold before the last person is served. Will definitely think about this differently! Thank you!
Reading this made my mouth water. As an Indian eating with your hand is so natural but I also feel self conscious about doing so anywhere outside my home or back in India, where you can eat with hands even in restaurants. Let's make it normal.
Thank you so much for sharing this reflection! We also loved Lara's call to action on normalizing eating by hand...and we learned a lot from her deep dive into the spiritual and colonial forces that have shaped the concept of "table manners" over the years.
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.
These are such beautiful reflections! Thank you for sharing. Us editors also call Coast Salish territory home and I love that point about salmon.
Thank you for reading it! It means so much hearing people from different cultures relate to the message and share their own experiences. I love that the manner in which we eat the fish that's so culturally important to us Iraqis has influenced the way you might choose to eat that which is significant to you Scots by coast Salish!
🙏🙏
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?
Isabela here — I'd never thought much about that custom or how it could be different elsewhere, even though I always hate letting my food get cold before the last person is served. Will definitely think about this differently! Thank you!
Just wow, so full of personal, yet so enlightening words. Food really is a performance, it is totally true. Thank you Lara
Thank you for your kind words, Lana, I'm so glad you resonated with it!
Reading this made my mouth water. As an Indian eating with your hand is so natural but I also feel self conscious about doing so anywhere outside my home or back in India, where you can eat with hands even in restaurants. Let's make it normal.
Thank you so much for sharing this reflection! We also loved Lara's call to action on normalizing eating by hand...and we learned a lot from her deep dive into the spiritual and colonial forces that have shaped the concept of "table manners" over the years.
Thank you so much for giving it a read and taking the time to share your thoughts, Suzanne! Yes, I couldn't agree more - let's normalise it!