In the past few years, I've noticed a growing bad habit among my generation (myself included) of allowing our smart phones to be a crux for passing the time. We hardly know how to sit still and just BE anymore. What's worse, is this bad little habit is beginning to seep its way into our time spent with actual people. I've been to many a dinner, party, date, and friendly gathering where the company I'm keeping is interacting less with the actual live people in front of them, and more with those through their phones.
Imagine my excitement when I found this! It's more than a friendly gesture printed on a handkerchief (which in itself would have been very darling). This "phonekerchief" actually blocks the cell phone signal from your phone while it's wrapped up, allowing you to give your counter part your complete and undivided attention.
The manufacturer recommends this for a sweet Valentine's Day gift. I couldn't agree more! What is more romantic than having a genuinely good and uninterrupted conversation with the one you love?
The other day, my love and I were out for drinks enjoying a rare sunny afternoon. Through conversation, it occured to us that the coming weekend would commemorate our three year anniversary. We decided to spring for something special as a celebration and made our way to the marina for a seafood extravaganza. We dined on shrimp cocktails, oysters, and a main course of crab.
Though we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals, I couldn't help but notice all the crab meat that had been lost due to my poor execution. If I knew the proper way to eat a whole crab, perhaps the mallet wouldn't have slipped out of my buttery hands and flown across the table. Plus, I really dislike the feeling of not knowing what the heck I'm doing.
With a little research, here is what I have learned:
Pop all legs and claws off at the knuckle. Set aside.
Flip crab so that the hard shell is facing down (put it on its back).
With thumbs in place on both ends, separate shell from body.
Remove guts and goo from center of the body.
Using your knife (and not a mallet, as this crushes the meat and shell) gently separate the body from underlying "soft" shell. This should expose all the meat, finally allowing easy access to your dinner.
When eating legs, it's best to open at the joints, using a knife to gently separate.
For a full tutorial I found this video. I love how serious our young narrator is with producing a You Tube "How To" video while his friends play in the background.
The other element I love about a shellfish dinner, are the accessories one is provided for proper eating. There are not many times past the age of 3 where it is appropriate to wear a bib while dining and wipe your hands on a towelette before leaving the table.
With holiday family dinners and cocktail parties, comes the urge to share gratitude and sentiment to all. While it's wonderful to take a moment to appreciate the evening, there are a few guidelines for toasts to keep in mind:
A toast should be polished, brief, and heartfelt
Stand when speaking
The host or hostess should be the one to give the first toast
Be witty and whimsical. If public speaking is not a strong point, practice a few lines beforehand
Avoid notes and notecards, this isn't a speech
Don't forget your exit: I've heard too many toasts that end with an awkward "So, um, that's all I have to say..." it's anticlimactic and leaves guests hanging. The easiest and most classic exit is to simply raise your glass a tad higher (this will alert the party you are wrapping things up) and give a "Cheers!"
The great thing about table manners, is that unlike other traditional etiquette which can sometimes feel very stuffy and outdated, the rules of dining still remain the same today.
As an additional visual aid, I came across an old video from the Emily Post Institute, narrated by Mrs. Post herself, on the subject of proper table etiquette.
The audio is a bit muffled, but the overall message still resounds.
Did the formality of last Thursday's Thanksgiving dinner make you want to jump out of your seat and run away? Not to fear, here is a quick review to help us all navigate our way around the china and crystal placed in front of us. It will come in handy for all the holiday festivities lined up in the next few weeks.
The Informal Table Setting
Formal Table Setting
Some other tips for stellar table manners:
Your drinking glasses will always be to the right of your plate, and your bread plate to your left. Remember this by putting the tips of your index fingers to the top of your thumbs, while extending your index fingers straight. Look at the two letters this forms. Your left will show a “b” for bread, while your right a “d” for drink.
I have read conflicting suggestions of placing your napkin on your lap as soon as food or drink first appears (water, wine, bread and butter), or waiting until the hostess places her napkin on her lap. I believe the former is best, as this protects your lap from any potential spills. Commencing the meal, however, should wait until after the entire table is served and the hostess has taken the first bite.
If salad is served with the main course, it is acceptable to use the same fork for both plates.
Cut food into bite sizes as you progress through your course, not all at once in the beginning.
The proper way to eat asparagus is to cut the ends off with a fork and eat the stalk with your fingers.
When you are finished with a course, always place the knife and fork parallel together across the center of the plate. If you are taking a "rest" but are not quite done, criss cross your knife and fork, with the knife blade pointing to the left.
The same placements are used for the spoon and fork during the dessert course.
Your napkin should be placed to the left of your plate when you are done eating. Not on your plate and not in your seat. Try to lay it down as neatly as possible, instead of releasing a crumpled pile of cloth or paper.
Don't get up from the table until your host or hostess rises
Most importantly, enjoy the meal, the company, and the evening!
Formal Table Setting
