On 2021-02-07 1:59 p.m., Graham wrote:
> On Sun, 7 Feb 2021 09:32:27 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>

>> Why are cooks so thin-skinned that they would mind someone adding
>> pepper (or salt, for that matter) to food? It's "season to taste", and
>> everyone's taste is different.
>>
>> Cindy Hamilton
>
> I would have thought that it's bad manners to season a dish that one's host
> has prepared. After all, it's criticism of her/his cooking.

I see it the other way around, that it would e bad manners for a host to
expect their guest to prefer seasoning to his or her taste and not to
their own. That's one of the reasons that there are salt and pepper
shakers on the table.

There are lots of meals where condiments are provided and no one should
be offended if a guest has more or less than the host would expect, or
none at all. There is usually butter on the table to be used on bread
and rolls or on potatoes and vegetables.