​Currently, I am immersed in the vibrant culture of incredible India. I've had the pleasure of indulging in sumptuous curries ranging from meat to vegetables, grains and pulses using the age-old tradition of eating curry with one's fingers as I travel India or known locally as Bharat ( derived from the Sanskrit name for the country.) I've embraced the centuries-old motto and tweaked it a little, 'When in India, do as the Indians do.' I've found myself eschewing utensils in favour of the tactile connection afforded by using my fingers. It's a practice that prompted a deeper reflection on the origins of utensil use.

The act of eating with one's hands also has historical and utensil-usage implications. In the book ‘Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500-2005’ Coffin et al. explains that utensils like knives, forks, and spoons have enriched our dining experiences by acting as extensions of our hands, suggesting an evolution from direct hand-to-food to changes in dining etiquettes and experiences over centuries.

Eating with your hands is not just a cultural norm, it's an integral part of the dining experience. Using your fingers to scoop up flavourful curries with rice or bread connects you more intimately with the food and heightens the sensory experience. Before you start, most restaurants will make a basin available in the dining room to wash your hands. Traditionally, you will use your right hand to eat, as the left hand is considered unclean.

​Bread, known as roti, naan, paratha, chapati, and the list goes on, are just a few examples of the diverse array of breads found in Indian cuisine, each with its unique texture, flavour, and cooking method. These breads are central to Indian cuisine, serving as the perfect accompaniment to curries that could contain lentils or chickpeas, and grilled meats. They are my favourite accompaniment to an Indian meal. I use two techniques. One is to tear the bread and pick up the ‘dry’ curry with the bread. The second is to fold the bread in a cone shape to pick up the ‘wet’ curries.

​Another way to eat curry is with rice. Depending on what part of India you are in, rice will vary from basmati to laal chawal, laal meaning red. You will be given a large serving of rice with various curries surrounding it. Find a clean space on your thali plate to scoop up a small portion of rice and curry. Mix the curry with the rice using only your fingertips, not the whole hand. This is done so the curry is absorbed into the rice, ready for you to eat and enjoy. Gently picking up the mixed food with your fingers, shape the rice and curry into a small bite-sized portion. Push the bite of food into your mouth by sliding the food down your fingers levered by your thumb. Be careful not to let your fingers touch your lips.

I hope this information is helpful to you. It’s always good to try to do as the locals do. It helps ensure that your culinary experiences in India are conducted with cultural sensitivity and authenticity. 

Source - “Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500-2005”

Article Published By: Etiquipedia.blogspot.com

Picture Conversational Manner – To help dampen nerves, it’s best to write your talk out and practice repeatedly entirely.  Record yourself and listen to it or send it to a trusted friend to evaluate it.  It’s best to remember the talk rather than reading it off your phone or paper.  Practising it will help you remember the key points and then insert your personality into it, creating a conversational manner with your audience.

Body Language – Developing stage presence can be intimidating at times.  Here are a few tips to help you relax.  Do specific research on those in the media, turn off the sound and watch their body language…what did you note?  Their facial expressions?  Hand placement?  Body positioning?  Good speakers will show open body language.  At the same time, you speak, smile, and make eye contact, moving your head occasionally from one side of the room to the middle and then to the other.  Hands are contained and moving with the body.  “Body language is the unspoken part of communication that we use to reveal our true feelings and to give our message more impact.  Communication is made up of so much more than words.  Nonverbal cues such as tone of voice, gestures and posture play their part.” – Mindtools.com.

The Powerpoint Presentation 10-20-30 Rule – After sitting through hundreds of pitches, Guy Kawasaki, marketing guru, entrepreneur and former Apple brand ambassador, surmised that when using PowerPoint, use the 10/20/30 Rule.  What is this exactly? You can use ten slides.  Using more than that can overload your listener, especially when pitching.  Twenty minutes should cover the display of the slides.  If you give an hour’s appointment, make leeway for those who are late, need to use the restroom or make urgent calls.  Your PowerPoint slides should contain a thirty-point font, so you are only typing in the main points and filling in the minor issues while speaking.

That Rotary breakfast became a turning point. The experience highlighted the importance of preparation, even for seemingly casual presentations.  Since then, I’ve learned that I always appreciate the power of a well-crafted message and audience engagement.

Article Published By: Luxury Adviser

Have you been invited to a wedding recently?…did you want to go?  Some love attending weddings, and some loathe the idea!

Those who loathe the idea want to avoid dressing up, being on a schedule, talking to people they don’t know, and eat with only two choices or foods they cannot pronounce.  I am here to say that it’s not all bad.  Weddings are a time to celebrate those who consider you ‘near and dear’ to spend time with you and their money.

Weddings can be used to socialise and connect with those you haven’t seen in a while or never before.  Understand cultural customs, enjoy traditional foods, and discover the couple’s creativity and essence on a particular day.  Weddings are enormous undertaking, from religious-governmental paperwork to the traditions of the bride and groom to meeting, eating, and thanking guests at the banquet.  Considering all of this, there is a need for wedding etiquette.

You may be pondering right now what wedding etiquette is.  It is a set of guidelines for guests and sometimes even the couple themselves to ensure an effortless and respectful celebration of the union of two people.  It’s about being conscious of the hosts and their wishes while contributing to a positive atmosphere for everyone.  Here are some vital aspects of wedding etiquette for guests:

RSVP – Generated from the French phrase, ‘répondez s’il vous plaît’ or in English, ‘respond if you please.’  Even though there is a please at the end of the English translation, it doesn’t mean respond if you can be bothered.  It means you must respond by letting the bride and groom know who is coming so they can account for how many will attend and considerately fit you into the upcoming festivities.  Once you receive your invitation, respond in three to four days.  Consider making your ‘yes’ a definite yes and ‘no’ a definite no.  It is better to do this than flip-flopping, causing the couple anxiety and sleepless nights.

Dress codes – Today, I have noticed that there needs to be clarity about what dress codes mean in Australia.  Here is a quick rundown of what to expect.  Your invitation will typically specify a dress code, whether formal, semi-formal or cocktail.  We are now in the ‘age of the selfie’, so please follow the guidelines to make sure you’re appropriately attired for the occasion.  Formal, you may be asked to wear white or black tie clothing: long dresses, high heels, beautiful accessories, and gorgeous hairdos for women.  The semi-formal for men is a matching suit and pants.  If you attend an evening wedding, use darker colours, whereas a day event uses lighter materials and colours.  Women can choose understated elegance, opting for a mid-length skirt in muted colours with minimalist patterns, mid-length heels or wedges.

Punctuality – Aim to arrive on time for the ceremony.  There is nothing like someone doing the walk of shame once the ceremony has started at a place of worship or civil proceedings. Arrive within a reasonable timeframe for the reception, so you can share in the joy once the newly married couple appear.  Punctuality shows others you respect their time and value commitments.

Gifts – It’s customary to bring a gift to help the new couple set up their house for years to come.  It is better to focus on the couple’s wants rather than feel obligated to a costly present.  Registries are a great place to help the couple.  A word of warning: purchase from the registry immediately, and you might be left with purchasing items that may be outside your budget.

Dietary restrictions V’s Allergies – Not long 10play made headlines stating, ‘Lufthansa Looks To Charge Passengers Extra For Meals With Dietary Requirements.’  Together with the increased cost of living, dietary requirements are becoming a thing of the past.  However, allergies are still as important and high on the priority list of caterers and event managers.  When you are RSVP’ing, there should be a provision to note your allergies, if any, not at the last minute due to pre-ordering food for the big event.

​Being a gracious guest and celebrating the couple’s special day, you proudly contribute to a positive and memorable experience for everyone.

Article Published By: Luxury Adviser