After today’s discussion on the sister’s inability/unwillingness
to eat an orange in front of other people because of propriety, I looked up
some information on etiquette. Much to my surprise, there is a proper way to
eat an orange. There are pages upon pages of information on the proper way to
eat an orange, and much to my surprise, I have been doing it wrong my entire
life. Here are just a few examples of how you are supposed to eat an orange
properly.
How to peel an orange
quickly yet pretentiously Equipment: one orange, one sharp knife, one metal tablespoon
1. Have an orange of your choice ready for peeling.
2. Briskly roll it around on a flat surface to loosen the skin and make it easier to peel.
3. Make a small incision into the side of the orange with your sharp knife. Do not pierce the flesh, as you'll get juice everywhere and become a tangerine or blueberry convert.
4. Insert a metal spoon beneath the peel through the gap made by the knife.
5. Slide the spoon around under the peel and remove the peel in several large sections.
6. Eat orange
How to peel an orange in one piece (amaze your dimmer colleagues and young children with this little-known technique)
Equipment: one orange, one relatively sharp thumbnail
1. and 2. As before.
3. Dig your thumb about an inch below the little button where the stalk used to be. When your thumb has penetrated beneath the peel, rotate your thumb in a counterclockwise downward spiral.
4. Don't rush, or you'll botch it.
5. Think of your thumb as a crank-operated potato peeler.
6. Continue until the bottom of the orange then pop the flesh out from the peel.
7. Eat orange.
(Some people like to show off their ability to to peel an orange in one piece by using the peel as a decorative item. You may do so only if it is Christmas time and you are Amish.)
How to peel an orange (traditional)
Equipment: one orange, one sharp knife
1. and 2. As before.
3. Score the orange into quarters with a small sharp knife, just through the skin. Then peel off the quarters. (If you've been to finishing school and want the world to know, prepare for step three by ostentatiously chopping off your orange's “nipple” and “navel” with your knife).
4. Eat orange
This whole orange eating fiasco troubles me: I simply do not understand why it is considered so improper; especially when in your own home with no visitors. I understand that one would want to be discreet while eating, but in that case, why not just use a utensils as suggested above? I also understand that one would want to be neat while eating a messy food, but seriously...use a napkin. It would seem to me that eating a banana would provoke more scandal than anything else. However, in class on Monday I learned that bananas today are not the same as bananas back then. So, I guess I am at a loss. Which is ironic, because i love food.
ReplyDeleteFINALLY!!! This clears alot up. I've always wondered what the "proper" way was to eat an orange. Again, this might have been my most favorite part of the whole book. It just reminds me of how ridiculous girls can be sometimes. Like Jeannie said, I'm all for being discreet, and technically,according to my mother, it is rude to eat such a messy food in public, and NEVER do it in front of a man. Ladies, if they absolutely have to eat in mixed company, should only take bird bites (your teeth shouldn't show when your taking a bite). WELL no wonder everyone was a waif!!! I didn't believe her until she gave me a book about table manners and made me take an etiquette class. Thanks mom.
DeleteJennifer (Craver, that is), I think you bring up a great point connecting the old-fashioned rules about eating oranges to girls in today's society. So many girls are so worried about eating in front of boys and looking messy. I understand that there is a certain level of politeness that comes with eating in public (for example, not licking your plate clean), but that politeness should apply to males and females.
ReplyDeleteWhen my little sister goes on dates, I tell her that guys like girls who can eat! Don't try to be dainty. :-)
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