http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html

http://tinyurl.com/beodge3

Tara

On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
wrote:

> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>
> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>

Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve

--Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."



--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 13:51:05 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
>wrote:
>
>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>
>
>Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>
>--Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
>decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
>who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."

Why?

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
> wrote:
>
>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>
>
> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>
> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."


sort of makes me wonder what that might be.

On 5/19/2013 5:22 PM, Pico Rico wrote:
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>
>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>
>>
>> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>>
>> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
>> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
>> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>
>
> sort of makes me wonder what that might be.
>
>
Are we talking about eating two-handed European style or
fork-in-the-right hand American style? I am reasonably proficient at
either but there is also the correct Thai style with spoon and fork and
the Japanese/Chinese chopsticks both of which I can handle :-)

--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not." in Reply To.

"James Silverton" > wrote in message
...
> On 5/19/2013 5:22 PM, Pico Rico wrote:
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>>
>>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>>
>>>
>>> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>>>
>>> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
>>> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
>>> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>>
>>
>> sort of makes me wonder what that might be.
>>
>>
> Are we talking about eating two-handed European style or fork-in-the-right
> hand American style? I am reasonably proficient at either but there is
> also the correct Thai style with spoon and fork and the Japanese/Chinese
> chopsticks both of which I can handle :-)
>

I am proficient at the "pick up the bowl and shovel food into the mouth and
its surroundings" method.

On 19/05/2013 4:45 PM, Tara wrote:
> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>
> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>
> Tara
>

That list pretty well covers it, though I have issues with order of it.
I would put the techies at the top of the list. Carrying on a cellphone
conversation that everyone else can hear over and above the ambient
noise and personal conversations is bad enough, but constantly checking
for text messages??? Nope. That is rude beyond words. Next to that would
be letting your kids run wild and act up... take them to McDonalds or
some other fast food place designed for kids. The tedious orderers and
those who are rude to wait staff are about the same for me. If you want
something done a particular way, go to a restaurant that does it that
way or have it at home. Don't expect the team in the kitchen to be able
to understand your quirks third hand. As for being rude to wait
staff... that is a two way street. I have seen some pretty rude servers.

Screamers? Don't ever take a table next to a large group, and
especially if it is a group of women.

The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing, holding
spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small children... who
don't know any better. I am not going to allow it to spoil my dinner.

On 19/05/2013 5:22 PM, Pico Rico wrote:
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>
>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>
>>
>> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>>
>> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
>> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
>> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>
>
> sort of makes me wonder what that might be.
>
>
Over hand... like holding onto handlebars.

"Tara" > wrote in message
...
> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>
> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>
> Tara

They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or sneeze
and don't cover their mouth.

Then there are those who are not screaming but just talk too loudly. We
once had two couple seated behind us. Both were recently married and were
excitedly telling each other of their honeymoon trips. They were talking so
loudly and excitedly that we couldn't even hold a conversation at our own
table. And a lot of what they were talking about really did not make for a
good dining experience to me. I wound up leaving most of my food on my
plate and just getting out of there.

Then there is the adult person who whams back against the booth. I had this
happen many times. Once I started to turn around to ask the people to
please have their child sit still only to discover that the culprit was a
big, burly, mean looking man. I just turned right back and said nothing.

Last week, we were dining at a place that caters to seniors. And I think
someone had an accident. And not like dropping a dish. But the foul
smelling kind. Right as our food was being delivered. Yeah, it happens but
does not make for a good dining experience.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
> wrote:
>
>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>
>
> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>
> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."

How exactly do you hold it wrong? I don't know why but I tend to hold a
fork as the Europeans do. Tines down when poking into something like a
piece of meat and tines down when entering my mouth. This drives people
nuts and I've been told that I am doing it wrong. If so then all of the
Europeans are wrong too!

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Tara" > wrote in message
> ...
>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>
>> Tara
>
> They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
> sneeze and don't cover their mouth.

The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.

Cheri

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>
>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>
>>
>> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>>
>> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
>> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
>> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>
> How exactly do you hold it wrong? I don't know why but I tend to hold a
> fork as the Europeans do. Tines down when poking into something like a
> piece of meat and tines down when entering my mouth. This drives people
> nuts and I've been told that I am doing it wrong. If so then all of the
> Europeans are wrong too!

In some places in the world people squat over holes to do their business
too, do you?

Cheri

On 19/05/2013 6:59 PM, Cheri wrote:

>>
>> How exactly do you hold it wrong? I don't know why but I tend to hold
>> a fork as the Europeans do. Tines down when poking into something
>> like a piece of meat and tines down when entering my mouth. This
>> drives people nuts and I've been told that I am doing it wrong. If so
>> then all of the Europeans are wrong too!
>
> In some places in the world people squat over holes to do their business
> too, do you?

They don't do that at the table.

On 5/19/2013 5:52 PM, Dave Smith wrote:

> That list pretty well covers it, though I have issues with order of it.
> I would put the techies at the top of the list. Carrying on a cellphone
> conversation that everyone else can hear over and above the ambient
> noise and personal conversations is bad enough, but constantly checking
> for text messages??? Nope. That is rude beyond words. Next to that would
> be letting your kids run wild and act up... take them to McDonalds or
> some other fast food place designed for kids. The tedious orderers and
> those who are rude to wait staff are about the same for me. If you want
> something done a particular way, go to a restaurant that does it that
> way or have it at home. Don't expect the team in the kitchen to be able
> to understand your quirks third hand. As for being rude to wait
> staff... that is a two way street. I have seen some pretty rude servers.
>
> Screamers? Don't ever take a table next to a large group, and
> especially if it is a group of women.
>
> The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
> having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
> European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing, holding
> spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small children... who
> don't know any better. I am not going to allow it to spoil my dinner.
>
>
I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
flatware "wrong". Neither bother me one bit. My dad used to get
annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't
bother me. Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my
annoyances are just about noise.

--
CAPSLOCK€“Preventing Login Since 1980.

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>>
>>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>>
>>>
>>> Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
>>>
>>> --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
>>> decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
>>> who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>>
>> How exactly do you hold it wrong? I don't know why but I tend to hold a
>> fork as the Europeans do. Tines down when poking into something like a
>> piece of meat and tines down when entering my mouth. This drives people
>> nuts and I've been told that I am doing it wrong. If so then all of the
>> Europeans are wrong too!
>
> In some places in the world people squat over holes to do their business
> too, do you?

No.

On 5/19/2013 8:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
>>
> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
> flatware "wrong". Neither bother me one bit. My dad used to get
> annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't
> bother me. Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
> me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my
> annoyances are just about noise.
>
I don't think I've ever noticed if someone was texting or looking to see
if they got voicemail. Yelling into a cell phone is a different story.
For some reason, despite all the technological advances, people still
think they have to YELL into the phone.

Back in the day when mobile phones were a new thing (and huge!) maybe
people did have to speak up. But I always thought it was because they
were trying to seem important. Like, look at me! I'm such a big shot
they have to call me when I'm having lunch.

I don't care how someone holds their knife and fork nor do I pay
attention to it.

Jill

On 19/05/2013 8:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 5/19/2013 5:52 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>

>> The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
>> having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
>> European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing, holding
>> spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small children... who
>> don't know any better. I am not going to allow it to spoil my dinner.
>>
>>
> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
> flatware "wrong".

Why would people not be upset with a dining companion being more
interested in texting than in their company. IMO it ranks up there with
pulling out a newspaper or a magazine and tuning out your companion.
It's rude.




> Neither bother me one bit. My dad used to get
> annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't
> bother me.


Your dad would like my son's restaurant. They don't allow ball caps. The
policy keeps out the riffraff.


> Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
> me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my
> annoyances are just about noise.

I cannot be upset withe a screaming child. A child who screams should
not be taken into restaurants. Children should not be taken to
restaurants until they are old enough to know how to behave. I lay the
blame squarely on the parents.

I am reminded of a local bakery coffee shop where I suggested that they
remove the children's play area and put in a a couple extra tables. I
figured they would have room for paying customers instead of a
playground for kids while their mothers nurse a cup of coffee for an
hour or two.... not to mention the kids scaring away paying customers.
The owner said he couldn't do that because they mothers would object. I
suggested it was a choice between them or people he could make a profit
from. That place did not last much longer.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> They don't do that at the table.

Do they air Brak there? It's a really odd cartoon for adults. The main
character is some sort of a tiger and his friend is some sort of insect.
Both parents are human but the dad is oddly small and doesn't move much.
Actually I think the mom might be an alien. Not sure.

In one episode they are going to celebrate something or other and the dad
says they will go out to get fish pockets for dinner. But then they learn
that Brak didn't do something he was supposed to (homework?) so they send
him to his room for punishment and say that they will take the friend out
for fish pockets. Then the friend asks the mom if he can go to the
bathroom. She tells him that they can.

Then they are leaving. The mom reminds the friend that he was going to use
the bathroom. So he gets up from the kitchen chair and says that he already
did.

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Tara" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>
>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>
>>> Tara
>>
>> They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
>> sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
>
> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.

Yes. And my dad does it all the time. We can't seem to stop him.

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
eb.com...
> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
> flatware "wrong". Neither bother me one bit. My dad used to get annoyed
> by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't bother me.
> Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother me though.
> Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my annoyances are
> just about noise.

I freaking HATE cell phones! Thankfully I don't see too many people using
them in a restaurant. And if I did see a person sitting alone and texting,
it wouldn't bother me. But it does bother me when we are out somewhere and
a person is talking very loudly on their phone and it isn't a quick phone
calls. Two scenarios that we see quite often are people talking of personal
details, like sex stuff or complaining to someone and using bad words like
"that asshole" or "I wanted to f-ing kill him!"

Or the foreign person in line at the grocery store. They are babbling away
in whatever language and totally ignoring the clerk. They do not pay when
they are supposed to and in several cases we saw problems that the clerk and
other workers had to totally take care of on their own. Perhaps the phone
talker orchestrated it to be this way? Don't know. One more than one
occasion, they have WIC or some similar kind of food coupons but whatever
they picked up wasn't the right item. Because they will not let loose of
their phone or even look at the clerk, the clerk has to figure what best to
do. Each time this happens, my daughter and I just glare at the person and
give them dirty looks. But they never seem to notice!

One thing that I totally hate about cell phones is that people tend to call
you at the worst times. I once got a call in a restaurant from my Drs.
office. I didn't want to take it there. And I didn't have many options. I
could go in the restroom but this place had a very tiny restroom and it was
very drafty. And it was winter so I knew it would be cold in there. Plus I
hadn't ordered yet so I didn't want to leave the table. I couldn't go
outside or even to my car because we were by a busy loud road and I wouldn't
have bee able to hear. The bad thing about this Drs. office is that they
always call me when I'm out to dinner. They don't call me often but they
must think that I dine out all the time!

> On 19/05/2013 8:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
>> On 5/19/2013 5:52 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>
>> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
>> flatware "wrong".
>
> Why would people not be upset with a dining companion being more
> interested in texting than in their company. IMO it ranks up there with
> pulling out a newspaper or a magazine and tuning out your companion.
> It's rude.
>
When I replied I was thinking about people at nearby tables, not the
person I was dining *with*. Now THAT would annoy me.

I don't care how anyone holds their flatware. I never seen adults grip
forks or spoons in their fists like little kids do, which referred to.

Jill

On 5/19/2013 8:35 PM, jmcquown wrote:

>> On 19/05/2013 8:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
>>> On 5/19/2013 5:52 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>>
>>
>>> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
>>> flatware "wrong".
>>
>> Why would people not be upset with a dining companion being more
>> interested in texting than in their company. IMO it ranks up there with
>> pulling out a newspaper or a magazine and tuning out your companion.
>> It's rude.
>>
> When I replied I was thinking about people at nearby tables, not the
> person I was dining *with*. Now THAT would annoy me.
>
Same here, I wasn't thinking you meant people you're with. But then I
have a niece whose nose is always in her cell phone so I'm used to it.
Others, too, to a lesser extent than her as well. Still doesn't bother me.

> I don't care how anyone holds their flatware. I never seen adults grip
> forks or spoons in their fists like little kids do, which referred to.
>
> Jill


--
CAPSLOCK€“Preventing Login Since 1980.

"Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "Cheri" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Tara" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>>> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>>>
>>>> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>>>
>>>> Tara
>>>
>>> They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
>>> sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
>>
>> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.
>
> Yes. And my dad does it all the time. We can't seem to stop him.

I almost annoy myself, like the last two days at dinner, sweating and nose
blowing chewing red Savinas. I was by my self. That was a treat finding
this at my grocery.

Greg

Dave Smith wrote:
> On 19/05/2013 8:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
>> On 5/19/2013 5:52 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>
>>> The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
>>> having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
>>> European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing,
>>> holding spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small
>>> children... who don't know any better. I am not going to allow it
>>> to spoil my dinner.
>> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
>> flatware "wrong".
>
> Why would people not be upset with a dining companion being more
> interested in texting than in their company. IMO it ranks up there
> with pulling out a newspaper or a magazine and tuning out your
> companion. It's rude.
>
>
>
>
>> Neither bother me one bit. My dad used to get
>> annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that
>> doesn't bother me.
>
>
> Your dad would like my son's restaurant. They don't allow ball caps.
> The policy keeps out the riffraff.
>
>
>> Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
>> me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So
>> my annoyances are just about noise.
>
> I cannot be upset withe a screaming child. A child who screams should
> not be taken into restaurants. Children should not be taken to
> restaurants until they are old enough to know how to behave. I lay
> the blame squarely on the parents.
>
> I am reminded of a local bakery coffee shop where I suggested that
> they remove the children's play area and put in a a couple extra
> tables. I figured they would have room for paying customers instead
> of a playground for kids while their mothers nurse a cup of coffee
> for an hour or two.... not to mention the kids scaring away paying
> customers. The owner said he couldn't do that because they mothers
> would object. I suggested it was a choice between them or people he
> could make a profit from. That place did not last much longer.

I guess I am lucky in that I don't encounter screaming children often. Once
in a while I will at the dance studio. I can not stand it. I will usually
stare at the parents and they are usually clueless and just let it happen.
Oddly enough these families where this seems like normal behavior are often
home schooling families. Not only do they let them scream, but run wildly,
poke at, kick or in some other way annoy other people. The parents do
nothing. Certainly not saying that all home schooling people do this but
I've seen several families like this. I can not stand to be around them.

I do try to ignore it as best I can if it is clear that the child has
special needs. I don't think the parent can help that.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 20:06:08 -0400, Cheryl >
wrote:



>>
>I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
>flatware "wrong". Neither bother me one bit.

If you are alone, texting is OK. No different that reading a book or
magazine at the table. If you are with others, it is rude to the
guests and most likely is even if you were not at dinner, be it home
or at a restaurant.

> My dad used to get
>annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't
>bother me.

IMO, it is just poor manners. From the older generation, we were
taught to remove our hats indoors. I still do. A cap is a bit of
protective clothing and should be removed, just like a heavy winter
coat.


>Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
>me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my
>annoyances are just about noise.

Yep.

In article >,
"Julie Bove" > wrote:

>
> Then there are those who are not screaming but just talk too loudly. We
> once had two couple seated behind us.

oh that's so easy to deal with: just turn to them and ask politely
"would you talk a little louder, we're having trouble understanding
you." works every time

On 5/19/2013 10:19 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On Sun, 19 May 2013 20:06:08 -0400, Cheryl >
> wrote:
>
>
>
>>>
>> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
>> flatware "wrong". Neither bother me one bit.
>
> If you are alone, texting is OK. No different that reading a book or
> magazine at the table. If you are with others, it is rude to the
> guests and most likely is even if you were not at dinner, be it home
> or at a restaurant.
>
>> My dad used to get
>> annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't
>> bother me.
>
> IMO, it is just poor manners. From the older generation, we were
> taught to remove our hats indoors. I still do. A cap is a bit of
> protective clothing and should be removed, just like a heavy winter
> coat.
>
>
>> Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
>> me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my
>> annoyances are just about noise.
>

Hat etiquette is something I'd forgotten. It is difficult to get used to
wearing a hat outdoors but I do so to prevent minor skin cancers. Not
having worn one for 40 years I have a tendency to forget to take it off
indoors. Another problem is that, if I take it off, I forget to pick it
up when I leave so I put it on the table in restaurants.


--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not." in Reply To.

"James Silverton" > wrote in message
...
> Hat etiquette is something I'd forgotten. It is difficult to get used to
> wearing a hat outdoors but I do so to prevent minor skin cancers. Not
> having worn one for 40 years I have a tendency to forget to take it off
> indoors. Another problem is that, if I take it off, I forget to pick it up
> when I leave so I put it on the table in restaurants.

I can't tell you how many times my dad has left hats and coats in
restaurants.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 14:22:20 -0700, "Pico Rico"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> >> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
> >>
> >> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
> >>
> >
> > Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
> >
> > --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
> > decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
> > who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>
>
> sort of makes me wonder what that might be.
>

It's a way that's commonly called "clubbing"... fingers are wrapped
around the handle the way one would hold a broomstick. There's no
other way to describe it that I can think of at the moment. If you
can't imagine it, then you've never seen it. Lucky you!

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:56:31 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:45:41 -0500, Tara >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> >> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
> >>
> >> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
> >>
> >
> > Yes! It's not just *my* pet peeve
> >
> > --Cavemen (and Cavewomen): "I know it sounds snobby of me," says a
> > decidedly nonsnobby Epi editor, "but I can't stand eating with someone
> > who doesn't hold their knife and fork properly."
>
> How exactly do you hold it wrong? I don't know why but I tend to hold a
> fork as the Europeans do. Tines down when poking into something like a
> piece of meat and tines down when entering my mouth. This drives people
> nuts and I've been told that I am doing it wrong. If so then all of the
> Europeans are wrong too!
>
That's not "wrong", it's just different.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 17:52:58 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
> having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
> European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing, holding
> spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small children... who
> don't know any better. I am not going to allow it to spoil my dinner.
>
I don't even care if people hold their knife as if they are holding a
pen/pencil. Clubbing utensils drives me up the wall. Were they
brought up in a cave? Saying they were brought up in a barn would be
too complementary.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:58:09 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Tara" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> >> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
> >>
> >> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
> >>
> >> Tara
> >
> > They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
> > sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
>
> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.
>
Get over it.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 19 May 2013 17:52:58 -0400, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
>> having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
>> European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing, holding
>> spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small children... who
>> don't know any better. I am not going to allow it to spoil my dinner.
>>
> I don't even care if people hold their knife as if they are holding a
> pen/pencil. Clubbing utensils drives me up the wall. Were they
> brought up in a cave? Saying they were brought up in a barn would be
> too complementary.

I've never seen an adult do this unless they had special needs or perhaps an
elderly person who has lost control of their fine muscles.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:58:09 -0700, "Cheri" >
> wrote:
>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >
>> > "Tara" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>> >> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>> >>
>> >> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>> >>
>> >> Tara
>> >
>> > They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
>> > sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
>>
>> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.
>>
> Get over it.

Not gonna get over it when their nose stuff gets in my food or drink or they
are using their hands (unwashed after blowing) to eat communal food. Nope.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 23:20:44 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 19 May 2013 17:52:58 -0400, Dave Smith
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> The way people hold their knife and fork ? I pity the people for not
> >> having learned how to hold their utensils properly. I don't mean the
> >> European vs. North American thing... but the over hand thing, holding
> >> spoons and forks like a handlebar..... that is for small children... who
> >> don't know any better. I am not going to allow it to spoil my dinner.
> >>
> > I don't even care if people hold their knife as if they are holding a
> > pen/pencil. Clubbing utensils drives me up the wall. Were they
> > brought up in a cave? Saying they were brought up in a barn would be
> > too complementary.
>
> I've never seen an adult do this unless they had special needs or perhaps an
> elderly person who has lost control of their fine muscles.
>

You haven't looked around then. They're everywhere... otherwise
innocuous looking people who never learned how to use a knife and fork
properly, doing that handlebar thing or clubbing their fork while they
hack away with their knife.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 19 May 2013 23:22:29 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:58:09 -0700, "Cheri" >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >
> >> > "Tara" > wrote in message
> >> > ...
> >> >> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
> >> >> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
> >> >>
> >> >> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
> >> >>
> >> >> Tara
> >> >
> >> > They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
> >> > sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
> >>
> >> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.
> >>
> > Get over it.
>
> Not gonna get over it when their nose stuff gets in my food or drink or they
> are using their hands (unwashed after blowing) to eat communal food. Nope.
>
You eat in Moroccan restaurants?

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 19/05/2013 8:15 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 5/19/2013 8:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
>>>
>> I just don't understand why anyone gets annoyed by texting or holding
>> flatware "wrong". Neither bother me one bit. My dad used to get
>> annoyed by men wearing ball caps in restaurants, but again that doesn't
>> bother me. Talking at a screeching level and screaming kids do bother
>> me though. Table bussers who toss flatware in a bin bothers me. So my
>> annoyances are just about noise.
>>
> I don't think I've ever noticed if someone was texting or looking to see
> if they got voicemail. Yelling into a cell phone is a different story.
> For some reason, despite all the technological advances, people still
> think they have to YELL into the phone.

I have seen it a few times. I was in a coffee shop a couple months ago
and there were two young women at the next table who were frequently
checking their phones and sending texts. At times they were both texting
at the same time. Last month we were at a food and wine show and four of
us were seated at a large communal table. For a while there was a young
guy and two women, and one of the women was constantly checking her
phone for texts or messages. It was a pretty clear sign that she was
really bored with their company.

On 19/05/2013 8:35 PM, jmcquown wrote:
When I replied I was thinking about people at nearby tables, not the
> person I was dining *with*. Now THAT would annoy me.
>
> I don't care how anyone holds their flatware. I never seen adults grip
> forks or spoons in their fists like little kids do, which referred to.


I had a co-worker who did it. Since we were working on the road and on
expense accounts, we ate in restaurants almost every day and often got
together for meals. To be perfectly honest, I don't remember how most
of the others held their forks but I was always slightly shocked to see
a grown man holding forks and spoons in his fist.

On 20/05/2013 12:54 AM, sf wrote:
>
>>>
>>> They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
>>> sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
>>
>> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.
>>
> Get over it.
>


No. I agree with Cheri. I gentle blow isn't too bad, but when someone is
blowing huge amounts of snot and clearing out entire nasal passages.....
gross. Leave the table. Please.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sun, 19 May 2013 15:58:09 -0700, "Cheri" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>> >
>>> > "Tara" > wrote in message
>>> > ...
>>> >> http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...013/05/top-10-
>>> >> rudest-grossest-most-annoying-habits-of-fellow-diners.html
>>> >>
>>> >> http://tinyurl.com/beodge3
>>> >>
>>> >> Tara
>>> >
>>> > They left off quite a few things. Like people who blow their nose or
>>> > sneeze and don't cover their mouth.
>>>
>>> The blowing the nose at the table is the worst to me.
>>>
>> Get over it.
>
> Not gonna get over it when their nose stuff gets in my food or drink or
> they are using their hands (unwashed after blowing) to eat communal food.
> Nope.

Me either. We have a friend that does it all the time, if the napkins on the
table are paper, he's just as apt to use one of those. He doesn't do it
other times, so it's not a chronic condition. Here's how we handle it after
many years, we don't go out with him anymore. We have him over, or we go
there for a visit.

Cheri