Yesterday I had the sincere pleasure of being hosted my my Sri Lankan friend, we fondly refer to him as STAR or CANDY. It was his birthday so he chose to host a group of 5 for a traditional Sri Lankan dinner at his place.
Upon arriving to his house you should be aware that it is a rule that one must remove their footwear prior to entering his little Taj Mahal. For the unknowing this could present a problem. Let's say perhaps you didn't wear your best socks and your little toe is peaking out. Or perhaps you didn't wear socks at all and your feet could use the services of a belt sander. Overall one could hide their unsightly feet through the entire evening, however, should you be the victim of nasty foot odor you could posibbly be up for some embarassment. Sweaty, stinky feet can ruin a meal. Thankfully the meal consisted of some very fragrant items, curry being the strongest. Curry aroma will cover just about anything.
After all the guest arrived, some later than others, we were treated to a traditional round of tea and cookies. This was a nice edition to the very cold and rainy weather going on outside. Typically I would have enjoyed this after my meal but apparently that is not how it is done in the Indian culture. Never the less it was a nice way to start the meal.
And now the main course was being served. Looking over at the table, it was set with some lovely dishware from Sri Lanka and the linens were bright and festive in nature. Very sparse table, no glassware, no clothe napkins and no eating utensils. Why is that you ask?
I was introduced the Sri Lankan way of eating with your hands. Yes it's true, everything from the rice, to the lentils, chicken curry and spicy shrimp were all consumed with the hand. Our guest showed us the proper method for doing this with as much grace as possible.
Next time you are out for Indian food give it a try. You will be looked upon as a freak by Americans but the Indian folks in the restaurant will only look at you and smile, knowing you are sensitive to their traditions. It's odd at first but just like when you first used chopsticks you get used to it. And curry is yummy no matter how you eat it.
Upon arriving to his house you should be aware that it is a rule that one must remove their footwear prior to entering his little Taj Mahal. For the unknowing this could present a problem. Let's say perhaps you didn't wear your best socks and your little toe is peaking out. Or perhaps you didn't wear socks at all and your feet could use the services of a belt sander. Overall one could hide their unsightly feet through the entire evening, however, should you be the victim of nasty foot odor you could posibbly be up for some embarassment. Sweaty, stinky feet can ruin a meal. Thankfully the meal consisted of some very fragrant items, curry being the strongest. Curry aroma will cover just about anything.
After all the guest arrived, some later than others, we were treated to a traditional round of tea and cookies. This was a nice edition to the very cold and rainy weather going on outside. Typically I would have enjoyed this after my meal but apparently that is not how it is done in the Indian culture. Never the less it was a nice way to start the meal.
And now the main course was being served. Looking over at the table, it was set with some lovely dishware from Sri Lanka and the linens were bright and festive in nature. Very sparse table, no glassware, no clothe napkins and no eating utensils. Why is that you ask?
I was introduced the Sri Lankan way of eating with your hands. Yes it's true, everything from the rice, to the lentils, chicken curry and spicy shrimp were all consumed with the hand. Our guest showed us the proper method for doing this with as much grace as possible.
- Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands (it's helpful if you have short fingernails as well)
- Place in the middle of your dish sticky rice and surround that with little mounds of your other items.
- With the tips of the fingers of your right hand (apparently the left hand is known for the tool you would us in the cleansing process after you have a bowel movement so it is not allowed)
- Begin to bring some of the wet ingredients into the rice then some dry and mix together forming a sticky mound.
- Scoop this mound up with the fingers only to the mouth, making sure to not allow the fingers to touch he lips.
- Continue this process until all food is cleaned from the plate.
- Avoid washing your hand mid-meal. Wait until you are finished eating.
- If you must wipe the hand and naahn bread is available it is acceptable to wipe it on the naahn and then eat the naahn.
- Never pick up your drinking glass with the hand you have used to eat your meal, save that for the left hand.
Next time you are out for Indian food give it a try. You will be looked upon as a freak by Americans but the Indian folks in the restaurant will only look at you and smile, knowing you are sensitive to their traditions. It's odd at first but just like when you first used chopsticks you get used to it. And curry is yummy no matter how you eat it.
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