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 \u2014 the hands. I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to have been many places in this world and experienced lots of things\u2026 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 \u201ctools\u201d to accomplish the process.
\n(I\u2019m not referring to hamburgers, french fries, fried chicken or other \u201cfast foods\u201d that are typically eaten with the fingers in the United States\u2026 I\u2019m referring to full meals \u2014 consumed in a dinner table environment)<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been in a number places in various countries that primarily (or totally) consume their food using their hands.
\nThe first time I experienced eating with my hands was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I ate at a small Indian restaurant \u2014 so small there wasn\u2019t room to eat inside. I ordered curry and it was served to me on a banana leaf\u2026 that\u2019s it \u2014 just a banana leaf \u2014 no eating utensils, napkins \u2014 or \u2014 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\u2019s what I did. I don\u2019t think I was quite as neat as the other patrons, but I got plenty to eat.<\/p>\n
Since that time, I\u2019ve had a number of \u201copportunities\u201d 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\u2019ve also noticed it seems to be fairly common in various countries in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Even though the thought of sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with no silverware may seem uncivilized, or even barbaric, I suppose it\u2019s all what you get used to. In India, where I\u2019ve 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\u2019s 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\u2026 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 \u2014 some years after I had eaten in Kuala Lumpur, that a Thali<\/em> is a large plate made from a washed banana leaf, or several leaves stitched together and commonly used in India.\u00a0 In rural settings, eating on floor mats is common\u2026 in city homes and restaurants, diners typically use a table and chairs.<\/p>\n Even though you\u2019re eating with your hands, there are certain \u201crules\u201d 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 \u2014 the other hand should remain clean and only be used to pass dishes or to drink.<\/p>\n So if your mother always told you, \u201cdon\u2019t eat with your hands,\u201d you can be pretty sure she was from some place like Ohio, not India, Africa or The Middle East. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 \u2014 the hands. I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to have been many places in … Continue reading
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