Dearest friends,
Bringing to your attention that french occupation has been lingering in our kitchens. Aside from puff pastry filled with calories and air, we also allowed their ideologies to stay and co-populate on our kitchen counters. So, obviously the word etiquette is a bastard child of the french upper class. Around the 1700s a bunch of royal court people were snobbishly bored, 9 months later, BAM, hundreds of postcards were hung all over town, telling people how to behave. People followed then? yes. People still follow now?yes. Is this absolutely ridiculous? *rolls eyes*! To avoid any misunderstanding, the argument here is not for the confusiuses and the Ptahhotepes of the world. It is not the maintenance of a good hygiene and of course it is not thou shall give personal space if thou shall want to live.
But, based on odds, the color of your t-shirt and the placement of your napkin, where’s that red sauce from the spaghetti more likely to land: your boobs or crotch? Pizza with a fork, burger with hands and speaking of hands, when I was ten year old having dinner one night, eating and definitely minding my business. I got the “observatory” comment from Ms OH LALA , ” My dear, it is faux pas to have your elbows touch the surface of the table while dining”. Innocent and unobtrusive, my eyes widened in shock and embarrassment. We were taught very good manners, but elbows, Who said this? why do i need to follow? What on earth is this ” kitkat” she is talking about? Knowing myself, there are probably two elbow holes still carved on her dining set, just to prove that I shall not abide by this ludicrousness.
Here is a theory, food was scarce then, so they came up with some rules to regulate supply and demand. No spoon, no napkin on chest, no elbows, isn’t that kind of slowing us from eating. Not to generalize, but most of the etiquette teachers look like they can use a good cheat meal.
Close your legs, don’t laugh too loud, be graceful in your walk, don’t eat with your hands, look serious in photos and be mindful of your fucking language. A non-modest count of silverware, eggs in baby incubators and regular eye rolling and criticism of other ” uncivilized” cultures. White man strikes one more time, first it was the greeks defining civilization, distinguishing themselves from non-Greek-speaking people, whom they labeled “barbarians” and “uncivilized”. Then the french with the etiquette fatigue.
While the French have undoubtedly graced us with unparalleled art, fashion, and wine, their etiquette legacy is one we might do well to reevaluate. As we navigate our globalized world, it’s worth pondering: should we continue to adhere to these antiquated norms? which traditions add value and which merely restrict. Or is it time to set our elbows free and embrace a more authentic, less “western” way? After all, just because it’s wrapped in a croissant doesn’t mean it is more worthy than Mansaf*.
*Mansaf: Traditional Jordaninan dish made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice and bread. Traditionally eaten with hands and has its own etiquette that the french would definitely frown upon.
FrequencyForty 