My mother has odd views about things being common.
She has long held the view that eating in the streets is common, and seems to have extended that to consider that eating things with your hands is common too.

These days, so keen is she to avoid being seen conveying food to her mouth with her hands that she has now taken to eating sandwiches with a knife and fork.

I can't decide whether it's some sort of mental illness or if her teeth are starting to go.
(richardm, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 16:12, 6 replies)

eating in the street
is such bad manners! It's true!
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 16:13, closed)

Well of course you're right...
I can't really disagree with her (and you) on that point. It's like one long parade of Gregg's pasties being gnashed up and down the High Street some days, with puff pastry going everywhere like snow. Horrible.

However, it is slightly embarrassing when she sits in a cafe with a knife and fork eating her sandwiches as though she was having a normal meal. You get some very odd looks. Well, she does.

Now, over the years I've learned not to be embarrassed by things my parents do, but if she's going to start adding new oddities I'm obviously fighting a losing battle.
(richardm, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 16:18, closed)

Similar
I was always moaned at as a child for holding a sandwich with two hands instead of one. The scientist in me told me that the really important thing is not to spill the contents all over your lap but I guess I'm just a slob.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 16:17, closed)

The Italians are very big on this apparently.
They have all sorts of rules of etiquette about eating on the go and what you should or shouldn't drink with your meal.
( chenobble rocking his explorer beard on, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 17:40, closed)

I think
the basic rule is don't drink anything that will clash with what you've eaten, so as not to cause offence to those who have to clean up your sick.
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Fri 17 Oct 2008, 0:13, closed)

/delurks/
My Mum had the same views but not quite as mental as eating a sandwich with a knife and fork. Even now I come out in a cold sweat if I'm forced to eat any food outside including ice lollies.

/lurks/
(fannypack, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 17:32, closed)