I am going to describe the memorable experiences in an Army Officers' Mess. Being the son of an Army Officer, I had quite a good grasp on table manners, I thought I did, but there were times when I went overboard. One such thing happened an Officers' mess.
When me moved to Delhi, we spent a couple of weeks in the Mess, before getting an accommodation. The dining room in the mess had strict timings which were displayed outside. There were many more unwritten rules. When we enter we must wish everyone there. Good morning uncle , sir blah blah. The plate would be upside down and a neatly folded napkin placed next to it. We had take the napkin and put on our lap and then turn the plate to its correct position. The glass would be placed next to it and the same had to be done with the glass.
There were forks, spoons and knives on either side of the plate. I personally love eating with my hand, but we would be looked upon by other as though we committed a crime.
Many of the people there would ask us what we were doing etc. I found some to take genuine interest, but the others it seemed were just faking it. A part of the protocol I suppose.
I remember one incident where I took a bread toast and tried eating it with a knife and fork.
I somehow managed to fold the toast into half picked it with my fork and thrust in into my mouth.
The bread behaved like a spring and the moment i pulled out the fork it opened up. Half the toast in my mouth and the other half outside. The little girl in front of me looked amused, as I embarrassingly pulled out the toast from my mouth.
Once during lunch, as I went to the dining hall, I saw some guys enjoying their meal with their hands. As I sat down after customary greetings, I found out that these guys were civilians who were here for some official purpose. I was most comfortable and relaxed while having food with them.
During dinner, I was once served bread, and the pudding that is normally served after dinner was served before. I just applied butter on the bread and consumed it. Later when I tasted the salty ' pudding', I realised it was Russian salad. No wonder the people sitting in front of looked amused.
I never felt comfortable eating the mess.
Soon we got our accommodation and I didn't have to eat in the mess again.
When me moved to Delhi, we spent a couple of weeks in the Mess, before getting an accommodation. The dining room in the mess had strict timings which were displayed outside. There were many more unwritten rules. When we enter we must wish everyone there. Good morning uncle , sir blah blah. The plate would be upside down and a neatly folded napkin placed next to it. We had take the napkin and put on our lap and then turn the plate to its correct position. The glass would be placed next to it and the same had to be done with the glass.
There were forks, spoons and knives on either side of the plate. I personally love eating with my hand, but we would be looked upon by other as though we committed a crime.
Many of the people there would ask us what we were doing etc. I found some to take genuine interest, but the others it seemed were just faking it. A part of the protocol I suppose.
I remember one incident where I took a bread toast and tried eating it with a knife and fork.
I somehow managed to fold the toast into half picked it with my fork and thrust in into my mouth.
The bread behaved like a spring and the moment i pulled out the fork it opened up. Half the toast in my mouth and the other half outside. The little girl in front of me looked amused, as I embarrassingly pulled out the toast from my mouth.
Once during lunch, as I went to the dining hall, I saw some guys enjoying their meal with their hands. As I sat down after customary greetings, I found out that these guys were civilians who were here for some official purpose. I was most comfortable and relaxed while having food with them.
During dinner, I was once served bread, and the pudding that is normally served after dinner was served before. I just applied butter on the bread and consumed it. Later when I tasted the salty ' pudding', I realised it was Russian salad. No wonder the people sitting in front of looked amused.
I never felt comfortable eating the mess.
Soon we got our accommodation and I didn't have to eat in the mess again.
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