Since I got onto the subject of eating utensils (chopsticks) in my last blog, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the oldest eating utensil — the hands. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been many places in this world and experienced lots of things… and it seems like almost every culture has traditions centered around food. People eat different things, at different times, in different ways and use different “tools” to accomplish the process.
(I’m not referring to hamburgers, french fries, fried chicken or other “fast foods” that are typically eaten with the fingers in the United States… I’m referring to full meals — consumed in a dinner table environment)
I’ve been in a number places in various countries that primarily (or totally) consume their food using their hands.
The first time I experienced eating with my hands was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I ate at a small Indian restaurant — so small there wasn’t room to eat inside. I ordered curry and it was served to me on a banana leaf… that’s it — just a banana leaf — no eating utensils, napkins — or — directions. I looked around and other patrons were sitting on the curb outside with their banana leaves of food and eating with their fingers. So that’s what I did. I don’t think I was quite as neat as the other patrons, but I got plenty to eat.
Since that time, I’ve had a number of “opportunities” to eat with my hands. The first place I remember it being commonplace was in Africa, but I encountered the practice in more places and found it even more common in India. I’ve also noticed it seems to be fairly common in various countries in the Middle East.
Even though the thought of sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with no silverware may seem uncivilized, or even barbaric, I suppose it’s all what you get used to. In India, where I’ve practiced this style of eating more than any other place, the etiquette associated with the meal varies with the religion. Like all cultures, some things are acceptable, some are not. So if you happen to be in India and are invited to someone’s house for dinner, you should be aware that Indians always wash their hands thoroughly prior to dining and then eat with their hands without any cutlery. I was told once that this practice is historic and premised on the belief that eating is a sensual activity and touch is part of the experience… along with the aroma and taste of the food as well at its presentation. The fingers are also used to feel the temperature of the food. I learned — some years after I had eaten in Kuala Lumpur, that a Thali is a large plate made from a washed banana leaf, or several leaves stitched together and commonly used in India. In rural settings, eating on floor mats is common… in city homes and restaurants, diners typically use a table and chairs.
Even though you’re eating with your hands, there are certain “rules” or an etiquette that you should follow, lest you be viewed as barbaric. Always wash your hands and when eating with your fingers, you should only use one hand — the other hand should remain clean and only be used to pass dishes or to drink.
So if your mother always told you, “don’t eat with your hands,” you can be pretty sure she was from some place like Ohio, not India, Africa or The Middle East.
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