Etiquette Tuesday: Finger-licking Good

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 for dinner at home.

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