Miss Manners: No need to inquire about ‘house rules’ at the door
In my grandparents’ home, no food was allowed to go to waste. After a meal, if there was any food left on someone’s plate, it would either be claimed by someone else or added to the soup pot that was always on the stove. If someone had gravy left on their plate and no bread to sop it up, they were allowed to lick the plate.
This was because my grandparents had left Europe to escape famine; wasting food was a matter of life and death. So manners are situational as well as cultural. Knowing this, if you are a guest in a home representing an unfamiliar culture, would it be smart to discreetly ask the host or hostess if there are any special manners expected of you? You could do this at the door while you thank them for the invitation. If you were invited by a friend, should you ask them ahead of time?No. And Miss Manners fears the consequences of inviting every hostess to improvise new rules for hungry guests at the front door.
But you cite an interesting example. Current dinner guests of your grandparents should not be considered disrespectful of your grandparents’ life experience if they expect any licking of plates to occur out of sight.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Miss Manners: Pet-owner questions Miss Manners, wants to know if thanking a pet is necessaryIn today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to a pet-owner needing advice and uncertain if Miss Manners is a real person!
Read more »
Miss Manners: Is it bad manners to ask a mom how she’s feeding her children?Advice from Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin.
Read more »
Miss Manners: She wouldn’t let me wear my custom slippers in her houseShe implied they were dirty, and she made me wear some that hurt my feet.
Read more »
Miss Manners: Good-mannered friend doesn’t extend courtesy as house guestMiss Manners: Good-mannered friend doesn’t extend courtesy as house guest
Read more »
Miss Manners: Previous owners of our house now want to visitAm I obligated to grant visitation rights to this couple?
Read more »
Miss Manners: Our house’s previous owners are seeking visitation rightsThey sent someone to take pictures, and now they want to make an annual trip.
Read more »