Etiquette Tuesday: Discretion in Disdain

[ 0 ] May 24, 2011 |

©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood

Ever invited someone to an event and realize how much of mistake you made??  Yeah, well, I thought I had pretty much weeded out those friends who were either: picky eaters, bad at holding their liquor and/or are totally antisocial.  Do not get me wrong, I still love them with all their quirky traits but not when it comes to my food biz.  A food event is a completely different scene from the typical wedding, fashion event or the like.  Food is the focus and knowing the proper etiquette when it comes to the food is key.  Let’s just say making the five-year old twisted, disgusted face is strictly prohibited.  This Etiquette Tuesday’s tip:  discretion in disdain.

I have been to food events where honestly the food is absolutely disgusting and I would prefer to spit it right out on the plate…but this is an absolute no-no in my book.  Constructive feedback is expected and encouraged but using tact in your delivery of your dislike for the food is required…that is, if you want to last in this game.  The reason this comes to mind is because I recently went out with someone to a food event and they literally spit the food back out on their napkin at a fine dining establishment…um, shall I use gross or rude for describing this behavior??  A way to avoid having to feel the need to spit your food back out is trying a tiny bit before shoving the whole tartare in your mouth or simply ask what is in the dish (*You know very well that you do not like pineapples, so skip the upside down pineapple cake…).

Moral of the story:  Tact carries you along way.  It carries you even farther in this industry that we call food.

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Category: Etiquette Tuesday

About the Author ()

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.

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