Meal Interviews (Part 2 of 2)
May 4th, 2008This podcast is the second of two on the subtleties associated with being interviewed during a meal.
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May 8th, 2008 at 11:20 am
How do I get some put in my mouth by using a fork or a spoon for example out with the same fork or spoon?
Isn’t it more appropriate to use your napkin? I’m not interested to see a piece of chicken or fish what is already chewed on getting back on the fork of the one sitting next or in front of me.
I always use my napkin (or a tissue) - not that it happens that often.
Best regards,
Patrick van der Meer
The Netherlands
May 8th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Patrick-
Sorry, but etiquette says if it went in with a fork, it comes out with a fork. in with your fingers, then it’s okay to take it out with your fingers.
It is not more appropriate to take it out with your napkin. Sorry!
Mark
May 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Yeah, but.
I know that’s what Amy Vanderbilt says, but trying to maneuver some piece of masticated crud back onto a fork without losing it always struck me as being…. difficult. So, in line with the matra “go big or stay home,” swallow that sucker….or bend down to tie your shoe and get rid of it.
Walt
PS — don’t send your estate after me if by following my admittedly poor recommendation results in a cessation of breathing and/or other bodily functions.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
WVH-
Didn’t your mother teach you ANYTHING? LOL.
I think that there are times when etiquette can be discarded, and this can be one of those times. There are … alternatives…. as long as everyone understands that there’s a right way..and then there are other ways that work just fine and can be forgiven (if in fact anyone at your table knows what’s right to begin with!)
Mark
May 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I enjoyed listening to these podcasts. Thank you.
What do you do if you have dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian, kosher), especially when the restrictions are, well, very restrictive. All that talk about steak houses on the podcast really hit home; I am often in situations where there is little to nothing on the menu that fits my restrictions. Even items that may appear to be innocuous such as rice or beans are usually problematic for many diets such as vegetarians since they are often cooked with chicken/beef broth or pork respectively. Folks on more restrictive diets such as kosher won’t be able to eat any cooked item on the menu. Foreign travel can be even more challenging in this regard.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you,
Dennis
May 16th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Dennis-
Call ahead when you know the location. When not, eat in advance. I know several friends who have this concern, and they have adopted the rule that there will NOT be anything to eat where they’re going, and they plan for that.
Mark
May 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I had a friend who always ate a little bit at home before he was going to the place he was invited for dinner. So he was sure he would not “jump on the food” as soon as it was on the table.
Don’t you think it is a good trick in order to “control your appetite” during the meal interview?
May 24th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Two thoughts:
1) As a manager, whenever I’m inviting someone to a meal, whether it’s an interviewee, a colleague, or whatever, I almost always ask if there are dietary restrictions the person would like me to know about. Working in a very multi-national environment with a bunch of ecologists, dietary restrictions (particularly vegetarian and even strict vegan are quite common).
2) With respect to the salad comment in the ‘cast: If a salad is invitable, ask for the dressing on the side. Dip your fork lightly in the dressing and use that to carry over a small amount of dressing onto the bite of salad you’re about to eat. You get a much more reasonable amount of dressing and it’s not likely to drip. It’s an old Weight Watchers trick, but I suspect that doing this has saved many a tie.
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