KAILA WARD | staff writer
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Kaila Ward
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Fine-tuning hair and makeup, making sure that nothing is in your teeth, consolidating the permeation of bad breath.
Countless nuances of your appearance stroll through your mind on any given day if the opposite sex is near.
This is not just true for girls. Men are just as appearance-driven when it comes to interaction with women. That, or they just always happen to be flexing as a group of ladies walks by.
An aspect of appearance that many often proliferate is that of dining etiquette.
Reading this, you are probably surprised this is even something worth writing about, which further emphasizes my claim that it is an aspect of appearance we fail to consider.
Eating is an important and prevalent aspect of college life, and sharing meals with the opposite gender is something that cannot be avoided.
However, it is also something that has become so casual that many people don’t know what is and is not appropriate.
In college, a part of “being on our own” involves eating on our own. This, for some, is an unfortunate circumstance.
No longer do we have our parents across the dining room table staring us down for the way in which we are holding the fork.
We are meeting new people and making first impressions.
As a freshman, this is my first time away from home for such a long period. I figured my parents had given me all the wisdom they could, and that I have resonated all of their advice.
Going home over winter break, I found that my 11-year-old sister is a little behind in terms of appropriate dinner etiquette.
Most family dinners were interrupted by my parents continually explaining the proper way to cut steak; but then I realized that her faults were in fact still a part of my own etiquette.
I asked my parents why not funnel some of their frustration onto me, in which they replied, “You moved out! We’ve done all we could with you.”
My parents thinking that I am a lost cause is somewhat disturbing, and although it was friendly bantering, there is some truth to their response.
I am in college now, meaning I am on my own in how I decide to present myself during meals.
College, for some, encompasses earning a degree, gaining new knowledge, making life-long friends, and getting that ring by spring. So you would presume that college dining areas would be a place that girls and guys would want to impress.
This means eating properly, perhaps with small portions and the use of utensils. Walk into the caf any night and that theory gets bussed right off the table.
With girls in sweats and guys carrying three plates, it is clear that no one is following proper dining etiquette guidelines. Should we care? Is dining etiquette all that important?
At the caf? No. Etiquette can and should be relaxed. However, that mindset should not be carried to fine-dining in the future—a professional lunch, dinner with the parents of a girlfriend or boyfriend.
In situations such as these, your dining etiquette could make or break your chances of getting a job, or a significant other.
Dining etiquette is part of the life knowledge that is essential for everyone. Dr. Patricia Andujo, associate professor of English, is offering an opportunity for students to be informed of what is and is not appropriate etiquette.
“Dining etiquette is just as significant as your academic experience,” Dr. Andujo said.
So, college students, here are a few things you want to avoid while dining at the caf, in order to fully immerse yourself into both the academic and life experience at APU.
First, never overcrowd your plate. If you are at the point where food is forced to sit atop a different kind of food, just stop. It is more appropriate to go back for seconds.
Second, never put more food on your fork than you can fit into your mouth. While it is fun to impress yourself with this feat, it is not attractive.
Third, talking while chewing food in your mouth is inconsiderate for the people you are dining with.
Lastly, ladies, no grooming yourself at the table. The phrase “I need to freshen up” can be used, not just for fun but also for practicality. If you need to comb your hair or fix your make-up, excuse yourself to the restroom. This move shows a great amount of maturity as it displays your knowledge of good table manners.
If you feel lost in this or want to be able to fully grasp some of these concepts, Dr. Andujo will be presenting on “Knowledge About Dining Etiquette and Good Judgment for Professional Dining” during APU’s Common Day of Learning.
