Etiquette Tuesday: Finger-licking Good

[ 0 ] January 19, 2010 | Johnna

When at home lounging around the house, all dining etiquette rules go out the window unless guests are around. Eating with our fingers is so common that when we go to restaurants we have to consciously remind ourselves that this is not the proper way to eat (*This is probably why we love the Ethiopian restaurants in the District, no silverware and total finger eating!). There are exceptions to this rule, however. Eating with your fingers is not completely taboo where there are a few instances when it is actually preferred in the dining room. This “Etiquette Tuesday” focuses on the most common foods where it is “ok” to eat with your fingers. Check it:

Artichoke
Asparagus
Bacon
Bread
Cookies
Corn on the Cob
Chips, French Fries, Fried Chicken and Hamburgers
Hors d’Oeuvre, Canapés and Crudités
Sandwiches
Small Fruits and Berries on the Stem

There are rules with the artichoke and asparagus: if they have sauce on them, then No eating with your fingers. Typically, we shy away from these foods if we will be at a networking or formal meeting/lunch/dinner because we don’t want to have to eat with our hands. Though we know the exceptions, there is always going to be someone on hand to give you the side eye for picking up that piece of asparagus with your fingers. Sandwiches, chicken and fries aren’t commonly given the side eye but they can get kind of messy in a situation where we might want to put on our best face. We say stick with the ravioli for lunch with the co-workers and save the finger-licking good chicken from Big Mumma’s Fried Chicken Carlton for dinner at home.

Picture source

Category: finger-foods, Food.Fun.Stuff.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.