Dear Diane,
I was recently at a New York deli (visiting from a small town in Oregon) and ordered a simple BLT. It arrived with three layers of bacon and a tower of lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo. I was with friends, and we had a debate on whether I should use my fingers or a fork. What do you do when you can’t pick up the sandwich without it falling apart?
Tom L.
Dear Tom L.,
I hope you enjoyed your sandwich – I bet it was delicious. I understand your dilemma. It is difficult to shove an overloaded sandwich politely and discreetly into your mouth. When eating sliced meat such as corned beef or pastrami, it’s perfectly appropriate to remove some of the filling, and eat it with a fork. Fortunately for you, you can eat bacon with your fingers, so you can take out what is “too much” and enjoy what you can comfortably hold (the sandwich) with your hands. You may also use the assistance of a fork for the lettuce and tomatoes. In other words, always use your best judgment when deciding the best way to stay clean and keep your food on your plate (and spill free) to your mouth.
Best,
Diane
For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, you may enjoy Dining Etiquette: How to Turn a Restaurant Faux Pas into a Successful Meal. Read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
