'You Gonna Eat That?' Holiday Food Etiquette and More!
Food etiquette and how to be a good guest for the holidays.
Dec. 17, 2009 — -- Q: I go out to dinner a lot with my sister and her boyfriend, who always picks up the tab. It's generous of him (we go to nice restaurants), but because he's paying, he thinks he can finish my food! My sister always offers him whatever she hasn't eaten, and now that they've been dating for a while, he's actually started asking me, "You gonna eat that?" too! I'm a grad student—taking leftovers home means a break from ramen noodles and PB&J. Yet I can't afford to pay my own way. Is he really entitled to eat my food if he pays?
A: Who is your sister dating, Homer Simpson? No, of course he is not entitled to your leftovers! When he asks, "You gonna eat that?" your answer should be "Yes—for lunch tomorrow. We poor, starving grad students live for leftovers! Thank you so much!"
And you know it's not cool to let someone treat you to dinner repeatedly without reciprocating somehow, right? (Even if his manners are rather dreadful.) Invite your sister and Homer over for a simple dinner at your apartment if you can't afford to take them out—it's the right thing to do.
Q: What do you do if you have to attend an elaborate holiday meal but you can't eat most of the food they're serving? My girlfriend and I are traveling to spend Christmas with her family, and they have a huge Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve… but I'm terribly allergic to seafood.
A: Have her tell her family in advance, so they're not surprised, but don't worry too much—you can't help having an allergy. You should say something along the lines of, "That smells amazing—I wish I could taste it!" as often as possible. Also, make sure you eat anything you're not allergic to… and compliment the chef.
Q: If I'm staying with my aunt over the holidays, do I need to bring her a hostess gift and a present? Or does a present alone suffice?
A: Bring two gifts, or give one present and send flowers the day you return home. You want to acknowledge your aunt's hospitality separately from wishing her happy holidays.
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