DEAR MISS MANNERS: Eating alone 95 percent of the time, I have time to ponder such problems as:
1. Is it OK to double-dip my chips in the salsa or queso at a Mexican restaurant, since my track record over 40 years shows that I will not be joined by anyone?
2. Also in Mexican food establishments, am I breaking a rule of etiquette to maneuver my refried beans down to the rice side of the plate and mix them? I like to eat them mixed.
3. Our local Chinese buffet always offers vegetable lo mein. It also always has a huge slab of either roast beef or pork. Am I out of order to slice off my portion of meat and, then, back at the table, cut it up at one time and create a meat lo mein dish for myself? I know you’re supposed to cut your meat bite-by-bite as you eat it, but this seems to be a logical exception.
I don’t see how I can turn these problems around to shift the blame elsewhere -- if blame there be. But I’m truly seeking information. I can mend my ways if need be.
GENTLE READER: When eating alone in public, most of the standard etiquette rules still apply, but not all. You might bear in mind that others, including the waitstaff, may observe you inadvertently.
However, you are not asking to lick your plate. If it is your own private condiment dish, then you may “double-dip.” If you can subtly mix your rice and beans, then do so. You may cut your lo mein meat.
Miss Manners hopes that your reward for recognizing that being in public is not the same as being alone will arrive in the form of company at future meals. If, of course, you so choose.