Seems the cultures you speak of have yet to discover the advantages of indoor plumbing or toilet paper.

I think the rest of the world has moved along a bit further than this.

Again why I'm questioning the prevalence and/or persistence of this in the US, especially for those of these cultures who were born and raised here.

And how about the chefs - when they prepare the meals, I can't imagine they use only their right hand.

According to MS Copilot, the first fork was invented in the Middle East around the 4th century AD.

I am left-handed. I eat in the most efficient manner possible and don't care what other people do.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
If that doesn't set them off, I will grab the first waitress that arrives with pen and pad in hand, and ravish her on the table.

Why limit yourself? Don't the waiters deserve some "monkey business" too?

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
According to MS Copilot, the first fork was invented in the Middle East around the 4th century AD.

Yeah, they used it to wipe their ass. With their left hand, of course!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I'll use whichever hand I please and I'll use a knife, fork and spoon when everyone else is using chopsticks or whatever (including when I am being told I must not use utensils, but rather use my hands like a barbarian), or, if it's a sandwich or something of that kind, I'll use either or both hands as I see fit, because that's my culture; that's how I was raised. This goes, no matter what and no matter where.

I don't tell other people how to eat and I demand the same respect from them.

I'm not a diplomat visiting a foreign nation. I'm an American living in America, where I was born and raised.

That pretty much covers it . I eat left handed and shoot right handed . Yeah , I'm strange .

I use my left hand for forks and chopsticks. People have remarked about it in China, so I respond that if I had to use my right hand I would starve to death.

Finger foods I use whatever hand seems appropriate at the time but probably more the left hand. Hadn't really thought about it that much, I just do what is natural. I've never eaten at an Indian place, in the U.S., South Korea, China, or INDIA, where we had to eat with our hands. There are always utensils. Naan bread is usually eaten by hand but I've never used it to pick up mushy food and rice, nor been around Indians that do that. Maybe they have been westernized more, or it's because when I'm in India I am a special guest of sorts and they behave themselves more like westerners.

I really don't care about customs that discriminate against left-handers and generally ignore them. I have enough trouble finding and paying extra for left handed or ambi guns and left handed guitars that I won't give one bit to any anti-left bias. I don't wipe my ass with my bare hand and I know how to use soap afterwards so there is no issue.

Now with regards to hygiene in India:

The poor can only splash water manually, and I'm pretty sure that doesn't get the job done and a large percentage of the population still shits outside in the open. I will admit that the in-floor squat only toilets generally cause less mess due to the more spread-cheeky posture - sooner or later you have no other option and have to try one out, but I recommend full removal of your pants and underwear the first time you try it to avoid committing a grievous error. I think this is why people used to squatting don't like sitting on toilets.

Public restrooms and homes with plumbing have a shower spray wand next to the toilet. So they can get more "clean", but in the process they are spraying aerosolized shit particles all over the room. A rear view mirror might help a novice prevent themselves from fire-hosing their clothes.

I don't remember if the hotels in India have the Toto bidet seats, but I think not. China, Japan, and South Korea have those in the nicer hotels. But I am not fond of water and 240v electricity in this application especially if I have to trust scary Chinese or Indian wiring.

On any flight to India the bathrooms will be a disaster, even in business class. This is due to squatters that stand on the seat and then use sink water to splash wash.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lefty Sig,

I never knew there was anybody that worried about which hand was used to eat with.
Guess I don't get out much.

God this is funny. I'm having a hamburger for dinner, maybe I'll try something new, like shitting on my left hand, eating the burger with my right hand only, sliding the patty back under the table with my big toe after the burger slips apart onto the floor, and eating it off the floor with my mouth. And I still won't be using my left hand.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
God this is funny. I'm having a hamburger for dinner, maybe I'll try something new, like shitting on my left hand, eating the burger with my right hand only, sliding the patty back under the table with my big toe after the burger slips apart onto the floor, and eating it off the floor with my mouth. And I still won't be using my left hand.

Word to the wise - never one-hand a McRib. The sauce could double as teflon grease and the riblet will squirt out of the bun like a bar of soap in a prison shower.

The BBQ stain on the carpet is mostly gone but not completely and I hit it with Resolve immediately.

There's a thread containing a picture of a US National Park with signage showing what NOT to do in its restrooms, presumably for foreign visitors.

Yea I gave up on tomato slices, can't keep everything together. And that's with both hands.

I like using chopsticks but if things don't work out I break out a fork, a knife, and a spoon.

But I agree with Para, unless you're a head of state or some such in an official capacity, Americans eat whatever way they wish. If someone doesn't like it then they're not true Americans or any friend of America.