My Fork or my Hands?
By: Janet Adetu Date: 6 years agoComment: 0 Category: Articles
It’s the festive season!
We all love the opportunity to dine out whether it is in a restaurant or at an event. It is so much fun eating in the right ambience, with the right people, in the right mood; this sets the tone for a great time out. We are now in the festive season with numerous Christmas weddings, parties and dinners. This is the time where you will likely indulge yourself in eating all sorts of assorted to meals as you come across them taking advantage of the holidays while putting your dining skills to test. Some people like to play safe and eat only what they are familiar with. No matter the event many people tend to go for their favorite or the very same dish all the time, but I wonder truthfully.
As much as that sounds sensible, where is the fun and what experience would you have had if you are not adventurous enough to try something new?
How safe do you play when you are out dining? How do you fair at the dining table?
Can you work around your cutlery comfortably or would you rather use your hand regardless?
Imagine you have just been served your favourite traditional delicacy. To enjoy the meal to its fullest, instinctively you want to ask to wash your hands and get right into the meal. Are you right to use your hands or would you request for a knife and fork?
Using etiquette to your advantage would mean don’t think twice, you ought to use your fork of course. Some others may argue that no matter where, they are going to divulge that meal the way they know best; with their hands. The real challenge is not in the method of how you complete that meal but the desire not to embarrass yourself from dripping oils and other unforeseen circumstances when you start eating. The truth really is in order to have a competitive advantage; it is a case of assessing your environment, the people you are with, others in your vicinity and the occasion of the day. Thankfully more often than not we are seeing more fork usage than hands in today’s business and social events, image is indeed everything.
Do you know how to navigate the tools of the table?
As a professional in the course of your career and as you climb up the corporate ladder you may have many opportunities to experience fine dining. This is an important area where you exhibit your executive presence, your interpersonal skills and your ability to engage in good networking skills, maintain rapport with those around you and tap into building acquaintances and future partners.
Navigating the tools of the table is a skill that is learnt overtime if you are willing. It is not to be taken for granted when it matters most, because at this point any form of breach of etiquette can easily tarnish your image. Once again imagine an executive dunking bread in his soup at a formal gathering, instantly that executive sabotages his image negatively and leaves an impression of being unpolished, unprofessional and unprepared. The easy way to get around these scenarios is to actively and stylishly watch how others conduct themselves, If it looks sensible follow suit.
Today many organizations are realizing the need and importance of the fine dining experience, it is used to measure your judge of character and managerial decision abilities. The whole idea is to see how you conduct yourself accordingly among a group of people. How do you create an impression that is acceptable among the people you are with? Do you present yourself in an approachable manner enough for others to genuinely want to do business or engage in a relationship with you?
Simply put once you are seated you will see an army of cutlery on the table from knives, forks to spoon. Do you know the correct tool to use from start to finish? A few quick tips for you.
TIPS ON HOW TO EAT AWKWARD FOODS
- Mango - Cut in half, eat out of the skin with a spoon
- Spaghetti - Use fork against plate
- Lobster - Both knife and fork
- Shrimp - Cocktail fork
- Salad - Knife and fork
- Pizza - Thin crust: Use your fingers
Thick crust: knife and fork
- Crepes - Secure with fork, eat with spoon
- Buffalo wings - Finger food eat with fingers
- Canapes - Finger food eat with fingers
- Bread Roll - Broken & eaten with Fingers
Whether you decide to use your fork or your hand every moment is important. The few minutes you spend dining can make or break a positive impression that others have of you. Dine with ease, dine with confidence, and exude your Panache Advantage.
Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings!