F likes eating with all the accoutrements of the western world. This means he likes his fork, spoon and knife and he will not let go of this even in the face of adverse circumstances like eating off a (totally flat) banana leaf or eating fish which is so packed with bones that it’s hard to come out alive. The degree of eccentricity can be gauged when one sees him at the dinner table picking away at a buttered roti with a knife and fork for more than a couple of hours and the rest of us are on our way back home.
Like F, many westerners who travel to countries where people eat with their fingers, like Iran or India, are squeamish about letting their fingers do the work for them. I have seen young Europeans struggle on with the forefinger and the thumb of BOTH hands with very entertaining results. Sometimes I wonder what all the fuss is about. Most countries have eaten some food or the other with their fingers. Japanese sushi, Arabic falafel, Mexican tortillas, Spanish tapas, the list is endless. In the court of Roman Emperor Hadrian the food was served on low tables and Romans helped themselves to the food with their fingers.
A billion Indians will tell you, the best and probably the only way to enjoy your tikka and curries is with your fingers. All you have to do is wash your hands and dig in. We are programmed to finger-eat for god’s sake.
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 26, 2008 at 03:41 +05:3005
Melandroweb
Article special congratulations for the Blog, cordial greetings from the Valley of Melandro
May 28, 2008 at 03:41 +05:3005
Freestyler
Yammie!
…
Very yammie! 🙂
…
May 28, 2008 at 03:41 +05:3005
harinair
Of course, 1.2 bn Chinese will tout the benefits of the Chopsticks, which I rate as the most elegant of man-made food implements. More on that in the link below..
May 29, 2008 at 03:41 +05:3005
c.aunty
Hi,
they say you can enhance the taste of eatables when you take food using your own hands. And isn’t that why God gave us fingers too?just as you get confort when your parents cuddle you, so is touch important in food too!being a malayalee just thinking of having a sumptuous meal in plaintain leaf is something that is a pity that you people would miss
May 29, 2008 at 03:41 +05:3005
costech
Hari – Loved yr post on chopsticks, left a comment.
Aunty – The only way to enjoy Mallu food is with your fingers, absolutely true. You cannot possible taste the sambar, fish moilee, fried fish without the use of your hands. Totally agree with you.