Just Ask Georgia: 9/4/2024

Georgia, I have a question,

My spouse and I frequently host meals of 10-20 guests, personally and professionally. We debate whether to put spoons at meals at which we are not serving soup.

My spouse contends that spoons may be used for things other than soup (e.g., spreads or consuming remnants of thin sauces). I prefer not to set out spoons to save on the volume of washing or waste (if using disposables, although we have switched to compostables)

We have agreed to abide by your determination as to the proper etiquette: spoons at every meal, or spoons only when soup is served? Your wisdom is the only way to solve this problem. It has become a constant contention, and neither wants to host dinners until we receive your advice.

Spoons or No Spoons

Dear Spoons,

In a world besmirched by incivility, many believe that etiquette, the rules of moderate restraint in the interest of community harmony, is a snobbish way of humiliating honest people. And that this nasty sport involves table manners.

Lamentation over “which fork to use” is still cited as a trap, although it has been more than a century since highly specialized flatware was used. And people should be minding their plates.

A correct table setting consists of only the items necessary to consume the food.

And my! If only this were the only point of bickering in my husband and I’s lives, we would live such a happier existence. But really? Are we sure you aren’t arguing over who is right and who is wrong because you both WANT to be right?

With love, GEORGIA