A DEFINITE REASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

A DEFINITE REASON.

MODES AND MANNERS. FINGERS OR FORKS. The question, " What may I eat with my fingers?" can be acutely distressing to an unaccustomed diner-out. But table manners are not just- formulated out of caprice or ruled by fashionable whim, and the solution to most problems can be given by a, few common-senso rules. There is a definite reason for each of the " modes and manners " found in the books of etiquette, and a littlo reflection will generally supply the common-sense and correct answer. That rule which decrees that soup plates must be tilted away from the diner is not a mere matter of etiquette-book fancy. ]t is intended to safeguard the diner's clothes in caso of accident caused by any sudden movement. For the same reason is the soup taken upon the spoon with a movement toward the far side of the plate, so that any drops will fall from the farther edge of the spoon, and back into the plate. In short, the essence of good table manners is simply tidiness. For instance, take the rule that those round, crisp potato flakes must be eaten in the fingers. It is eminently reasonable, for it is almost impossible to manage them with a knife and fork without either dropping them or shooting fragments across the table. Again, sweet dishes which are at all moist or sticky are eaten with a fork. Should the sweet be accompanied by a syrup or by cream, a spoon is obviously called for. By the way, although a fork may be used alone, a spoon should never be used without a fork. A cream ice served with a wafer is the single exception where a spoon may be used alone. And an ice pudding served upon a plate and without a wafer requires both fork and spoon. The reason for this again, is tidiness. Similarly, the tiny cakes known as " petits fours " are eaten in the fingers, but cream cakes need a fork. Olives, like the potato crisps, are taken in the fingers, and so are radishes and celery, unless served in a salad. The reason for taking asparagus in the fingers is that a great deal of this delicacy would be sadly wasted if left to a knife and fork. Large or soft fruits require a knife and 'ork, and should be held upon the fork to be peeled. Bananas should be cut open lengthwise and taken in slices with knife ■xnd fork from the skin, while oranges may he either peeled and divided with the fingers in the usual way, cut into quarter, 3, or simply cut in halves and eaten with a spoon. On the other hand, small fruit, such as raisins, grapes, and cherries, are taken with the fingers.